Opinions

[jarrod.romero.94]

Ok, here we go. Go ahead and take a seat, I need advice from all the pros!
I've got me an 81 j10, 258, t176, np208, d44 front with chromoly shafts, ox locker, and high steer knuckles, AMC 20 rear, chromoly shafts, Detroit locker, both with 4.88 gears, on 36" super swampers. The 258 has a bottom end knock to it, so I picked up another one, freshly rebuilt, to throw in it. I thought that would be the end right? No, so after a series of very fortunate events, I now have a 4.0, an extra 4.0 block and head, and a couple AMC 401's... good luck right? I can't figure out what to run! Do I run a stock 258? Maybe throw a 4.0 head and FI on it? Build a 4.7 stroker? Run a stock 401? Or build a beast of a 401? What would need to be done to the drivetrain? I know the t176 cant handle too much, what about an np435? Do I need to swap to 1 tons? Am I thinking too much into it? Please help...

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[dodgerammit]

No need to swap to 1 tons. The 20 and 44 will be fine. Unless you really start thrashing it.

The 435 needs the 176 bellhousing. Past that, I am clueless. The 435s sure are bullet proof. Had one in my Dodge 1 ton I once owned.

Are you dead set on a manual? The 727 is pretty beefy for an auto.

[jarrod.romero.94]

Well, it will be wheeled pretty hard lol I know the procedure for the 435 install, and a buddy of mine has one sitting in his garage out of a f250 that needs new synchros, no big deal. Yea, I'm pretty stuck on manual, I've wheeled autos and manuals and I like the control of a manual better

[Cecil14]

The stroker will probably be your easiest power per effort move. You can make a lot of power out of the strokers, depending on how you build them. You can go anywhere from mild to wild with them. TONS of info floating around for different options.

If you really want power:

https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-ha ... roker.html

https://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=117699

http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthre ... -an-XJ-4-0

I've got an M90 from a Grand Prix sitting in the garage, just need the time to start building things out. I'd like to go MegaSquirt at the same time to get some better control of things.

I imagine you've already seen it, but the Jeep Strokers (http://www.jeepstrokers.com/forum/index.php) forum is a pretty solid source of information.

I think the biggest benefit you're going to get with any of the factory based sixes (232/258/4.0/stroker) is the available factory MPFI. It is incredibly simple to source and install, super cheap, and very reliable. That is the one thing that is pretty hard to mimic on the V8s. It can be done, but not as easily.

If you're planning to build a wheeler, and not something that sees a lot of highway time, the NP435 or T-18 are probably good options. An NV4500 is another good option, though more expensive it does net you a 5th OD gear.

I run an NV3550 (AX-15 is real similar), and it has held up extremely well for me. I do some light towing and hauling stuff from the hardware store or to the scrap yard. Not much offroading for me. I suspect it may not hold up super well to extreme beatings, though.


aa

[81waggy]

I pulled the 258 out of my 81 wagoneer and dropped in a TBI vortec 350/4l60/np241. It all came out of a 2000 escalade except the TC. I built it for highway riding but it puts out about 325ft lbs of torque. Donors are pretty easy to find but wiring can be tricky. Plus its a 350 so its not like you cant find parts for it.

[Cecil14]

I pulled the 258 out of my 81 wagoneer and dropped in a TBI vortec 350/4l60/np241. It all came out of a 2000 escalade except the TC. I built it for highway riding but it puts out about 325ft lbs of torque. Donors are pretty easy to find but wiring can be tricky. Plus its a 350 so its not like you cant find parts for it.

TBI out of a 2000? Did you do that custom, or do you mean MPFI?


aa

[Phils67]

I wouldnt trade my 4.0 swap for anything in the world. I say go 4.0L you wont regret it. Any weather you bump the key it fires up and runs dependable. It fits right, it looks right under the hood, and isnt as hard as some people think. Just need patience with the wiring. Take the ENTIRE donor vehicle harness and get some schematics. If you remove anything unnecessary the harness wont be so bulky and overwhelming. I mated it to the original T18 (something Novak and AA told me cant be done with the long input shaft). I had to make my own adapter and use an adjustable throwout bearing from Novak but once the clutch issue was dialed in it has worked fine for years. Downside to the T18 is the lack of a 5th gear, upside is the 6.32 first gear.
If i had to do it again I would swap a NV4500 or add an overdrive unit.

[81waggy]

I pulled the 258 out of my 81 wagoneer and dropped in a TBI vortec 350/4l60/np241. It all came out of a 2000 escalade except the TC. I built it for highway riding but it puts out about 325ft lbs of torque. Donors are pretty easy to find but wiring can be tricky. Plus its a 350 so its not like you cant find parts for it.

TBI out of a 2000? Did you do that custom, or do you mean MPFI?


aa

Well...I thought so. There's no fuel rails like MPFI. This is the last of the Gen 1 350's.

[Cecil14]

That does certainly look like a TBI unit. I didn't know anyone was still using TBI by 2000.


aa

[j10jim]

I think you should sell me one of the 401's My J10 originally had that setup. I swapped in my 83 360/727/208. Wish I would have had the $$$ to just do a 4.0 with MPFI. Would get better mileage and run better and be smog legal.

[Phils67]

I think you should sell me one of the 401's My J10 originally had that setup. I swapped in my 83 360/727/208. Wish I would have had the $$$ to just do a 4.0 with MPFI. Would get better mileage and run better and be smog legal.

Rotten junk donors are all over for cheap. As long as the engine and electrical are good its pretty much bolt in. Just time consuming. You can take the ehole power steering system with it.

[Fast Eddie]

Jarrod,
I agree on the 4.0 swap, same build as a 258, AMC just cut the block to fit into the Cherokee back in the day! As far as manual trans, I love my NV 4500 conversion!! Drives like a new vehicle and the 5 speed is very nice to cruise with! Best of both worlds and better fuel economy too!!
Just my 2 cents....

Ed

[Phils67]

Plus you already have the frame horns for the inline 6. Much easier than the horns for the 232 I had to deal with. I had to modify 232 block brackets and use mounts for a 71 duster. Yours should be a straight drop in

[tgreese]

Plus you already have the frame horns for the inline 6. Much easier than the horns for the 232 I had to deal with. I had to modify 232 block brackets and use mounts for a 71 duster. Yours should be a straight drop in

Indeed. The "Rambler" 232 used by Jeep in these early trucks is different from the later 232 used in '70s small passenger cars, the CJ and Commando. It has a different deck height and a different bell pattern. In 1971, the six cylinder bell pattern was unified with the current V8s and the deck height changed so the same rods could be used with the new displacements. So a stroked 199 effectively became the 232, and a stroked 232 became the new 258. Supposedly the block mounting was also changed to permit lower hood lines - pretty much born out by Phil67's experience.

The 4.0L (242) is basically the 258 with a more modern larger bore and shorter stroke, along with other performance related changes like EFI, a hotter cam and higher compression.