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First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 8:23 am
by PvilleJeepin
My fiance and I picked up a '72 J-2000 a few weeks ago in Minden, NV (from the second owner), and I drove it on the 100 mile trip home. It did surprisingly well over the multiple 7000+ foot passes, and it gave me the opportunity to start the enormous laundry list of little things that needed fixing (e.g. a short in the headlights, no seatbelts, intermittent brake lights/ turn signals, no parking brake, etc.). I've since spent most of my free time fixing every issue I can find, while also rewiring our '74 CJ5.
The truck has 53k original miles, and came outfitted with some pretty cool gear, like a custom bed rack, rooftop tent, awnings, traction pads, and a few other things. The ultimate goal for this truck is to build it into a long-range adventure rig, and part time search and rescue rig (for my local ohv search and rescue team).
To that end, it's going to see some changes in the next year. The original 304/t15 combo just isn't going to cut it for it's intended use, so I'm on the search for a 5.3l/4l60e (I'd like to retain the Dana 20, since its twin sticked). Also hoping to do a later-year wagoneer axle swap to get the open knuckle front 44, and get rid of the post mount springs and drum brakes.
This isn't my first Jeep by a long shot, but it is my first FSJ, so I'm looking forward to learning as much as possible from the knowledge base here.
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Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 10:01 am
by will e
Thanks for joining and for sharing pictures of your truck. It looks awesome! You'll find this place to be friendly and a great resource. We all look forward to your progress on your build.
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:18 am
by tgreese
The 304 was only offered in '71 and '72 in these vehicles. I guess there was no market between the 258 and the 2V 360 and the 304 was dropped for 1973. A T-15 is the standard transmission but it's strong and worked well in these vehicles.
Manual transmission J-trucks and Wagoneers are much less plentiful than those equipped with an automatic. Seems a shame (to me) to downgrade this truck with an automatic transmission. We get posts from someone wanting to go the other way - to a manual transmission - much more often than to an automatic. Also, while this truck is cool, Jeep offered front disk brakes and a much improved open knuckle front axle in 1974, just two years later. Front disks became standard in 1977, though there were few trucks without front disk brakes delivered '74-76.
A few different 5-speed manuals are available that have beenn put into these trucks. JMO - I'd look at the brakes first. Nothing wrong with that drivetrain combo. If I insisted on the 4L60e, I would look for a NP241C to go behind it. It would save me the purchase of an expensive adapter to a transfer case with a poor 2.03:1 low range, and would be quieter than the geared case.
What's your GVWR? The J2000 only specifies the wheelbase, not the GVWR. Seventh character in your VIN designates the GVWR, with W and X signifying J2500 and J2600 resp, at 5000# and 6000#. A J2600 has a Dana 60-2 rear axle with 12" brakes, which are something of a problem as drums have been NLA for decades.
If you don't have it, suggest you purchase the TSM for your year. These are available from RockAuto and BJs and are a wealth of info about your truck. Don't buy a Haynes or Chiltons book.
First post! Welcome from eastern Massachusetts.
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 1:57 pm
by 5jeepsaz
Welcome! Great J Truck
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:05 pm
by dodgerammit
I promise, I thought I'd seen this rig before, but it is different.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak8o4mJbJyA&t=404s
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2022 6:03 am
by rocklaurence
Nice Over Lander! I like the idea of swapping all the drive train and getting rid of the Post Mount springs. IMO, the D20 isnt worth the cost of an adapter-just include the OEM Tcase that comes with the new transmission. Theres a person on this site that did the Spring Post Delete. He's got the complete project list here.
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:09 am
by Yeller
Welcome!!! Nice looking truck.
I just did most of what you are discussing to my 70 J2000. I do have a build thread, link is in my signature.
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 4:30 pm
by PvilleJeepin
will e wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 10:01 am
Thanks for joining and for sharing pictures of your truck. It looks awesome! You'll find this place to be friendly and a great resource. We all look forward to your progress on your build.
I appreciate it! I'll probably start a build thread as I get closer to tearing into it.
Haha I found that on YouTube shortly after buying mine. Crazy similar!
rocklaurence wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 6:03 am
Nice Over Lander! I like the idea of swapping all the drive train and getting rid of the Post Mount springs. IMO, the D20 isnt worth the cost of an adapter-just include the OEM Tcase that comes with the new transmission. Theres a person on this site that did the Spring Post Delete. He's got the complete project list here.
Thanks for the advice! I guess I lean toward the D20 because I'm familiar with it, but I'll definitely read up on using the tcase
from the donor.
Yeller wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:09 am
Welcome!!! Nice looking truck.
I just did most of what you are discussing to my 70 J2000. I do have a build thread, link is in my signature.
Awesome, I'll check it out!
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 4:37 pm
by PvilleJeepin
tgreese wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:18 am
The 304 was only offered in '71 and '72 in these vehicles. I guess there was no market between the 258 and the 2V 360 and the 304 was dropped for 1973. A T-15 is the standard transmission but it's strong and worked well in these vehicles.
Manual transmission J-trucks and Wagoneers are much less plentiful than those equipped with an automatic. Seems a shame (to me) to downgrade this truck with an automatic transmission. We get posts from someone wanting to go the other way - to a manual transmission - much more often than to an automatic. Also, while this truck is cool, Jeep offered front disk brakes and a much improved open knuckle front axle in 1974, just two years later. Front disks became standard in 1977, though there were few trucks without front disk brakes delivered '74-76.
A few different 5-speed manuals are available that have beenn put into these trucks. JMO - I'd look at the brakes first. Nothing wrong with that drivetrain combo. If I insisted on the 4L60e, I would look for a NP241C to go behind it. It would save me the purchase of an expensive adapter to a transfer case with a poor 2.03:1 low range, and would be quieter than the geared case.
What's your GVWR? The J2000 only specifies the wheelbase, not the GVWR. Seventh character in your VIN designates the GVWR, with W and X signifying J2500 and J2600 resp, at 5000# and 6000#. A J2600 has a Dana 60-2 rear axle with 12" brakes, which are something of a problem as drums have been NLA for decades.
If you don't have it, suggest you purchase the TSM for your year. These are available from RockAuto and BJs and are a wealth of info about your truck. Don't buy a Haynes or Chiltons book.
First post! Welcome from eastern Massachusetts.
That's a lot of good info! I'd definitely consider keeping it manual, but I'm definitely working on a budget here - I'm selling off a few of my other classics to fund this project. I'll read up the 5 speeds that are available for behind the 5.3, and using the NP241C.
My GVWR is 5000#, so that makes it a J2500. And I ordered the TSM as soon as I got home with the truck. BJs had it shipped out to me really fast.
Cheers
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 4:45 pm
by Yeller
you can use any manual with a standard chevy bolt pattern bell housing. I have a list of the correct parts combination to make it a bolt in and not cost a fortune.
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2022 7:46 am
by tgreese
Additionally - not what you were imagining... however - the AX15 or NP3550 from an XJ Cherokee will bolt up to the AMC engines, and you'd only need the transmission and could keep the engine. The output pattern on these transmissions is the round New Process (NP) pattern, and you'd need to pick a compatible transfer case, possibly the previously mentioned NP241C or a Dana 300.
Re: First FSJ - 1972 J-2000
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2022 5:41 am
by OldFarmTruck22
PvilleJeepin, thats a damn good lookin rig!!