Donor drive train?

I'm contemplating (in a few years) upgrading the whole drivetrain on my cj5...The engine will almost definitly be a 318 v8 with a light racin cam and a 4bbl carb. from there on needs to be determined..Definitly man. trans. and ability to 4 wheel as needed. Newer Dodge dakota or any drivetrain designed for highway but still able to go off road. My main goal is to reach and mantain 55 to 65 mph. Althou I wouldn't mind a 1/4 mile 65 cj5 4x4:twisted: Wouldn't it be cool to do a 4 wheel burnout and get a respectable 1/4 mile time and be able to go wheeling as well???:twisted: :twisted:

Edit:Yeah I know thats not going to happen cause the front ends and tranfer cases can't handle that kind of rpm's but basically I'd like to atleast be able to reach 65 to 70mph. and an Fhead just ain't gonna do it no matter what I do to it.

 

I don't think you have to have a V8 and a whole new drive train to go 55-65 mph.

A 225 V6 does quite well.

 

CJ7 drivetrain. Don't take this the wrong way but just do it now. You want to use this motor so just make it happen.

 

I agree, a Dauntless coupled with an OD should get you somewhere in that range. Personally, 70 always seems a tad too fast for an early CJ. Your plan to use a Dodge V8 with the corresponding drive train will require major surgery. While doable, I think the overall "1/4 mile" package would make a poor daily driver, especially at 70MPH

 

In a pretty good hurry too.
I drove mine over 200 miles at an average of 65-70 or there abouts with out any problems other than semis passing can be a little on the scary side in such a lite vehicle. Once the vehicle is setup good, driving 70 in them is not really a big deal. Mine is capable of excelerating and decelerating faster than I need.
I love the 318 engine, probably one of the finest most foregiving engines ever built, I've owned 3 of them, but like said putting one in a jeep is gonna cost quite abit and take alot of fab time.
Its very possible but not really practical from a money stand point.

 

Given the high center of gravity, short wheel base and the general lack of side protection, I have always felt safer at 50 or so. As an owner who had the sad experience of rolling his jeep at speed, The thought of loosing a front tire or having to do a violent evasive maneuver at 70 frankly scares the crap out of me. But, hey, to each his own.

 

i can cruise70 all day with my 258 and the three speed has surprised a few people at the green light.

 

im sure if you roll over at any speed its gonna hurt .unless your drunk i watched a guy roll twice at haspin landed on side first thing i saw was hand come out of top bragging he saved his beer .

 

I don't think speed is an issue and worth the worry.
seat belts, roll bar, don't drive faster than you can handle.
if you are worrying about safety at 70 mph, don't drive 70 mph.
mentally, I drive my Dodge truck the same way I do the Jeep:
watching out for the other driver, and where is my escape route if I have to go somewhere; being alert as to what's around you.
you can get hurt in a Jeep, or in any other vehicle.
depends on the situation.
I've seen Jeeps rolled on the freeway where folks walked away from.
I've seen Jeeps rolled in the dunes and folks got hurt.
Just this summer,a Jeeper was killed when struck by a rock coming off the mountain.
Locally here recently, a sedan driver was killed by a vehicle battery that was ejected from a SUV vehicle accident on the other side of the freeway and came through his windshield....freak accident, nothing more

 

225 V6, overdrive,at least 31's and maybe 4.27 gearing. That's the best compromise for on and offroad. 4 speed T18 would be better.

 

If you're starting from scratch, and don't have any qualms about nostalgia, go with a GM 4.3 TBI, whatever trans you've got the coin for, and the D-18 with Warn OD. That'll do it, and then some. I love my Dauntless, but EFI would be so cool, and it doesn't get much easier or reliable than the 4.3 TBI.

 

From what I am getting he is looking for an excuse to use a motor that has sentemental value to him.
the only thing you are doing with a V-8 is making a vehical that breaks parts. But man just do it. You don't need the power to run 70 in these light vehicals, heck civics don't have much problem running 120 with only 90hp at the wheels so CJs will need about the same power to run 70.
Again probably the best choice for a drivetrain would be an intermediate v-8 5 or a late 7 drivetrain.

 

I have a 69 cj5 stock 225 v6 35" tires 4.56 diff's and no over drive in my yonger days I had it going 95 to 100 mph. It was fun then but not very smart. one note the hole jeep is not any were near stock. the only things oringanl are the engine and transfer case.