Can I swap differentials with a 72 CJ5?

Found a donor 72 cj in the bone yard...It has front disk brakes with 11" drums on the rear and lockouts. Would really like to have those three things on my Jeep. I was hoping I could swap out the front & rear differentials and the master cylinder etc..Problem I see is the differentials are centered and mine are not. Can someone tell me what I all need to be aware of before begining this upgrade?


Thanks




Mike

 

Since this is in the early forum, we'll assume you have a V6 CJ-5.

+1 on what Steve wrote.

Another option is to use the axles and switch to the Dana 20 transfer case. This will give you a centered output and will be compatible with the centered rear axle. You'll need the proper output gear for the D20, matching the gear bevel angle and number of splines. The downside of this is somewhat higher driveshaft angle, and the D20 does not have as good a low range gearing as the Dana 18. But the D20 is more durable and quieter than the D18.

If the '72 is a V8, you could take the T-15 transmission and transfer case, and adapt the (superior) T-15 transmission to your engine. If the '72 has an inline 6, it already has the output gear that you need if your Jeep has a T-14.

Lots of options, but none of them are an east bolt-on.

 

Wow. Guess I left out the most significant info. Must have been past my bed time when I typed this up.

Anyway, I have an early CJ5 1966 with a F134 3sp.

Gotta get around to updating that profile...

So, to clarifly things a bit more...I've not yet 100% identified the differentials and Transfer case this donor 72 CJ5 has. Though its clear from visual inspection the Diffs are centered, the transfer case has a single stick and its mated to a F134 with a 3 speed tranny. And there are disks brakes up front and drums in the back.

w3srl:

I am planning to swaping both diffs from this 72 donor jeep...so the gearing and widths should be OK. I'll search the form for more info.

Timgr:

I currently have a F134 in my CJ5...I've got a V6 225 with the Bell Housing, transfer case and T86 tranny and the front and rear diffs from the jeep the motor was in..This all came with the purchase of my 1966 CJ5. The PO was planning on doing the engine swap but never got around to it. When we tore the V6 a part we found it needed serious work...looks like the cranks shot...one of the mains has groves worn in it and one of the rods as well. A piston is refusing to be removed...rusted in place. The heads need to be redone etc.. So, I am on the look out for another V6 in the area..Just have not found one yet.

Thank you both for your input


Mike

 

Ok the 72 has the same width rear axle as your current dana 44, just has flanged axles and is centered. The front dana 30 while not a true drop in is pretty close if you have the same gears, unlikely since you have an f head though. You can take therear 11" drums off the 72 and put them on your jeep. The 72 shouldn't have an f134? You will need to deal with steering issues, driveshaft issues, transfercase issues and brake issues along with the bolt in parts.

 

Yes, 1971 was the last year for domestic production of the F134. I expect your either wrong on the year or the engine type of the "72." A '72 only came with an inline six or a V8.

 

Mcruff


My jeep originally had a V6..at least according to the VIN. Guess someone put the F134 in there at a later date. So I may have already have the correct gears in place. If not, the spare rear diff I got when I purchased my 66 CJ5 jeep have may the correct ones. I'll have to take a close look.

Timgr

Maybe this jeep isn't a 72 CJ5....The bone yard guy is the one who told us it was a 72. Could it be a late 71? I figured if it had the front disks and 11" rear drums with single stick transfer case it was a 72. The VIN is gone so I not sure what else to look at to identify the exact year...Though maybe it doesn't matter for my purposes. What other goodies should I be yanking off this donor jeep.


Thanks

Mike

 

It sounds like someone elses project jeep. I did not think the '72 came with front disk brakes. Won't be able to tell without a lot of pictures to identify components.

 

The front fender alone will tell you if its an early or not. Look at the back edge of the fender near the tub, the later models had about a 3-4" flat before the curve started up the fender well.

If it is a 72, yank the whole front axle and the drums from the rear, take the saginaw steering box and the column. Take the dash if its in good shape. Front and rear driveshafts and the transfercase front yoke. These would be the 1st things I yanked but not all of them.