Drivetrain swap questions............

I just aquired a chevy 4X4 1/2T truck and I was thinking about useing the 350/SM420/205 powertrain in my -5. I thought about the axles too, but I think they would be much too wide. My question is about driveshafts. Will this all fit in my short little jeep? Also, what about the offset rear end, will it work with the center yolk on the 205? I have seen a local CJ-5 with a ford drivetrain that had the driveshaft angling off. I wasn't sure if that was the proper way to do it. I think if I use the powertrain out of it, I can sell the rest of the truck for as much as I paid for it. Free motor/trans/transfer! Sweet! R)

p.s.- if I do this swap I'll have a great running 225, new rebuilt T-90, and a good D18 to get rid of.............

 

you could sell the 420 adaptor and 205 for about half the price of the 420 to dana 18 adaptor and then you wouldnt have to worry about the offset rear axle.

 

Do a search on the 205, I think it was last week we had a thread about how we really did not think it fit. Also the offset rearend would not work you would need to find a centered rear axle.

 

Getting the adapter for the 18 would be a good way to go, I hadn't thought of that. I'll go to the Novak site and price one. I was hoping to just drop this stuff in...........yeah right! Another thing I just thought of is the driveline angle problems I could encounter if the t-case was moved back very far, it has 6+" of lift. Research, research, research....

 

350/420/18? nice..but long. will need to either cut the fan shroud or the fire wall for distributor issues. you MIGHT be able to get away with not cutting if you switch to an electric fan and loose the other one.

my uncle had a 275hp 302 ford/t-10/dana18/warn OD setup in his 57 about 15 years ago and that damn jeep would FLY!!! you would need to box in the back of your frame though for that kinda power. the 350 torque+ the lower sm420 1st gear will really twist up a stock frame.
be a nice stump puller though. my opinion, dump the chevy 350 and get a buick 350. the dist is in the front, it's 125 lbs lighter, more turque and everything would bolt up. (will need bigger radiator though and a few things like exhaust.)

 

Are you sure you're not talking about a 350/sm465/205 drive train??? I've never seen a 420 in that combo before. Doesn't change your question a whole lot.

JB

 

I was thinking the same thing except the 465 is longer than the 420 which compounds the length problem. As I recall the adapter alone between the trans and transfer is around 6"-8" long. Nickmil.

 

thats what i had in my 84 gmc- 350/sm465/205. thats alot of weight for a small jeep though. heavy+heavy+heavier?

 

you guys that said the sm420 never came with a 205 behind it are right but i think a timkin or sompthing came behind them but i dont know if thay were devorced or not

 

I believe the last year for the SM420 was ’68, so I’d think it’s possible that one could have a 350 and NP205 attached to either end.
If it’s an SM465, I think it’s, Advanced Adapter sells an adapter that is a 1” plate but requires replacing the output shaft of the SM465 with one that will have the proper input for a Dana 18. This would help considerably with driveline length issues.

 

If you really want to make this swap and the only thing holding you back is the offset rear Dana 44, why not take those Cheby axles along with the rest? The rear is probably a 12 bolt, not the strongest axles but should be up to your motor, a locker and 35” tires (8.75” ring gear and 29 spline flanged axle shafts IIRC). The front is probably a Dana 44, unless that truck is about an ’86 or newer, don’t quote me on that though since I’m not positive when they made the switch. If not it’s a 10 bolt which is a Corperate copy of the Dana 44, except with 27 spline axle shafts instead of 30, basically speaking.
Just a thought.

 

The rear axle in my 715 is offset alittle to the pass. side. I swapped in a 351 Cleveland t-18 and a Dana-20. I've had no problems with the D-20 being a straight thru design. Of course the w/b is alot longer!