Auto Trans Conversion

Been thinking on it for awhile but still unsure whether I want to do a BOP T350 conversion. I've had the (rebuildable) tranny for awhile, "think" I understand the pros/ cons, yet still I hesitate. A few members or relatives have this conversion (I believe)... Are there any detailed member pics out there that might help in this? Mainly interested in driveshaft pics, but any/ all would be welcomed.

 

A TH350 works well in a CJ6, but not so well in the short wheelbase CJ5. You end up with a very short driveshaft with bad angles. I started doing this over 20 years ago, and found my rear driveshaft was about 10" long. I abandoned that conversion.
If you were to more the engine forward, that would help.
-Donny

 

not a real good picture . but here was the TH350 in jeep before it came back out , in favor of the T18
among the few things that I do remember was , front of floor will not fit without some modification .TH350 is quite large in front .front driveshaft yoke . even the small one will hit the case of transmission , can be notched , but I also had to notch the whole right side of transmission pan to clear front driveshaft ,. and there will be no mounting place for the transfer case shifter , made a mount that fit on top of transmission .as stated before rear drive shaft will be short , I think mine was 13" .still out in garage , didn't have a vibration problem . going to need a auto shifter and transmission cooler
http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/album.php?albumid=573&attachmentid=28251

 

I have been thinking about the same project because my left knee hurts after driving the CJ.
But after reading the reply's I am thinking about doing some more to soften up the clutch and move my seat back.

 

I suppose you could always look at a CJ6, or CJ7 that came with an automatic. I don't know what style of 4 wheeling you do.
All of my DD's have clutches. Yes, I did drive heavy trucks for a while and I still prefer a clutch.
A couple of my vehicles have automatics, I still find myself trying to find the clutch and shifter knob when I drive them.

 

Ron, what is your drive shaft length with the T-18? That mod has also been a consideration for me.
FWIW, I thought several members were running autos in their 5's with great success. Perhaps I'm mistaken...

 

Chris, this conversion has been done successfully over and over for many many years, CJ2a's CJ5's etc
Finding somebody in your area may be a little harder.
Seems California and the West has more than other places.
Contact Patrick..his dad had an auto in his CJ5.
Maybe he can help with knowledge.

 

chris went out and measured it . from u joint to u joint 17 1/2 " . the other interesting note is the FSM said V6 with 4 speed is 14 1/2 " bell housing and adapter maybe . not sure . did mine without a front adapter
and yes the auto did just fine , it was one of those conversions , I did cause of the weak T14 , but like many things we do with our jeeps . after fixing the floors and body mounts . repainted back to green . I again wanted . to be more back to stock looking .that's where the T18 swap came about . and I do like the stock look

 

I put a small block chevy and 400 automatic in my 61 cj5. Rear driveshaft is in the 11" range. Don't remember exactly as this was 25 years ago. I used an Advance Adapters kit for the original 18 tc. Drive shaft angle isn't bad because of the drop. I don't go off road much or even drive it too often. Put maybe 75 miles on it this summer at the beach. Mine is stored in Delaware if you want to take a look. Not too far of a drive.

 

I have a TH350 behind my 225v6. Love it. Will take pics and send them if you message me your email address. I still don't have the required posts to post pictures.

for many years I would not have an auto trans. My daily drive down and back up my driveway changed my mind. At the time, I had both a 99' TJ and a 89' YJ both with the AX-15 trans. And I6 motors. In my brothers 88' YJ, he has a 302 / auto trans. He has a place just down the driveway from me. (My driveway is 4-1/2 miles long and gains 2000' vertical feet!) With snow on the ground he can wheel much better than my two Jeeps. I don't care how good and fast you think you are, you cannot up shift as fast when needed going up hill. I would mostly use second in low range going up. But if I needed a lower gear, the forward momentum would be lost and have to come to close to a rolling stop. Auto trans, no problem, and that made the difference many times. After loosing my momentum, I would have to stop and get out and chain up. Going down my driveway hill, I again would use second and low range. Third is too fast. My auto in first is just right, holding me back with no problems. Saves my brakes too. The big grin on my younger brothers face as he would go right up and around my stuck Jeep told the story! I sold both of the above Jeeps to buy my CJ5.

 

Greenwithenvy I have sent you a PM for pictures. I am still thinking of converting. Thanks. Tom

 

Has nothing to do with number of posts. Might want to read this which is in the announcements and page discussion area at the top of the main page. Lots of good info there

http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?78830-Posting-photos

 

PM sent

 

I have a 71 cj5 with a th350/v6. I love it! I'm not sure of the length of the rear drive shaft but the angle is good. Feel free to contact me and i can send you pictures and answer any questions you might have.