Opinion

Not sure if this belongs here but here we go.

I have a 46 willy's project that I want an all jeep drivetrain in. RE 360 or 304, jeep axles and tranny.

Now I have seen these engines stuffed into a little willy's Wuth lots of agony in the undertaking.

Now I also have a 1978 cherokee chief with 360.t18.d20 and d44 axles, The body is completely rusted out butr the frame and drivetrain are in amazing shape. I was planning on looking for a really good chero body to put on here but in canada they are few and far between. (May just go buy a waggy for my fsj fetish)

So I was thinking that I may take of the chero body and have the frame shortened, And then stretch the willy's body in different places to make it fit on the chero frame. Also i beleve i will have to changed the rear driveline angles.

Has anyone done this before ??? I know there is a cj2a i found a few years ago on the net that a guy stretched to fit a chev 350 and th350 Beleive it was called "With Grace" but can nolonger find it.

So is this a dumb plan. I just think that it would be easier (though not easy) to go this route, rather than trying to stuff everything into the willy's. And I will benefit from a little longer wheelbase as well. And most importantly I will have a jeep that well is all jeep.

 

I think your main problem using the Cherokee frame is that the frame rail spacing will be wider than the Willys frame. You could widen the Willys body too, and make it fit on the frame.

Big project, but you could do it.

 

In my opinion (you DID ask for opinions!) if you cut up a flatfender enough to fit on an FSJ frame you'd destroy the classic looks & appeal of the CJ. And calling something "all Jeep" is something of a misnomer when it's a Willys with an AMC drivetrain. Jeeps have used so many different engines/drivetrains over the years that it's tough to say what "all Jeep" really means anyway. My CJ5 came stock with a GM engine. Even your 78 AMC Jeep will have a Ford carb & starter on it. I think you'd be happier going with a combination that you know will work well in the flatfender (maybe a 231 or 4.3 V6?) and don't worry about keeping it "all Jeep".

 

Sort of the same opinion as Doug's. Is AMC any different than Ford/GM/Chrysler when applied to pre AMC Jeep vehicles? My opinion: NO. However, what you propose would likely make a very good trail rig, albeit a LOT of work.

 

yes i do know what you are saying. I guess i just see all these builds where willy's get sbc stuffed under them. Is there anything wrong with that. No. Just thinking of venturing on a different route, buy trying to build a jeep with parts that well are found under jeeps when they came from factory. that being said I am n ot at all against aftermarket performance enhancing parts.

I would not plan on chopping the body to much as i love the look of the willy's. Wish I could find the pics of the jeep i mentioned above cause the stretch is very subtle.

Thank you for your opinions keep em coming as i have not decided what to do yet, love my chero but the more I tear into it(done all mechanical already) the more i realize the body is an absolute lost cause. its actually sad.

And as far as my willys, had it for a few years, sittin in peices, just cannot stand to let it go.

 

IMHO, you have the wrong body (to small) for that chassis or the wrong chassis (to big)for that body. FYI, I swapped a Willys wagon body onto the same chassis you have. It was fun project, I still have it, very reliable, capable and fun to drive.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2451568

 

I enjoy the same but be different crowd also. I also understand the build with what you have lying around. But just because you have a 455 Buick in the corner that needs a home, home is not in the yellow Flatty it sits next to.

In your case I would grab the 360/T18/D20 and slide it into the 46. Cheat the motor forward some if you can, the frame will need some strength added to it also.

Now for your axle issue, the front I would use 44 from the Chief in this manner. Use the stock spring mount that is cut into the diff housing for the pass side, then narrow the drivers side tube for corrected width. Now have the stock inner cut and resplined to fit or order an aftermarket. I believe this is close to WT CJ width.

In the rear you could take the rear 44 from the Chief and narrow it to match the front then either cut and respline the shafts or order new ones.
Or use a 72-75 CJ 44 with wheel spacers.

That should open a hole basket full of questions.

 

lots to think about, think my head just blew up