74 CJ-6 swap in a Jeep TF999 Auto/D300 - Opinions?

I am working on a 74 CJ-6 buildup. Its intended purpose is to be driven on the beach on the weekends and see some street time on nice days if one of us wants to drive it to work (<12 miles @55). I am going to run a fiberglass tub and I will not have heavy bumpers, a hard top, or any rock armor. I will be using aluminum 17" wheels with 33" BFG tires. I am going to use my original 304 which will get an HEI and an aluminum intake and 4bbl carb (eventually). The motor will not be built for performance or anything like that. I am going to run the stock D30 and D44 with 3.73s and I am going to add disk brakes to the front and possibly lunchbox lockers (eventually).

I have been spending a lot of time considering transmission options to replace my granny gear T18/D20 setup that someone swapped in from a 78 CJ. I have no use for the 6.32 first and I am sure I could sell it for enough to buy which ever combo I want to run. I had considered an external slave AX-15 D300 combo with YJ pedals (bent to clear the firewall/floor) but recently we discussed making it an automatic. i am not a big fan of a slushbox but for some reason it sounds appealing in this situation. I did some research on what was available and found an interesting setup. I am considering a Jeep TF999/D300 combo from an 80+ CJ. I would use the pedal/bracket and column/shifter from the CJ. From what I read there is no wiring with the 999 (other than a reverse switch) and all I would have to add is a HD tranny cooler for the long beach runs and hot days. I know I have the length with the CJ-6 and the 999s seem to be cheap and plentiful. My concern is running the stock V8 and auto with 3.73s and 33s. The Jeep will be much lighter than stock but I was worried about it being a dog with the slushbox.

Is anyone here running a 304 with a TF999 pushing 3.73s and 33's? If so how does it perform?

Thanks

Bob

 

TransGo makes/made a nice shift kit for the TorqueFlite. Would think a V8 with 3.73's should still be crisp.

 

Even turning 33's?

 

For what you are planning on doing, why not keep the T-18? A TF999 has no overdrive, and probably no lock-up torque converter, so you will likely be running higher RPM's at crusing speed.

As for not needing the granny gear, just skip it. And the once in a while you need it, use it.

Seems like a lot of work for minimal benefits, especially if you like the manual trans.



However,
If you do go to the auto, 3.73's should be a great all around combo. Heck, 80's blazers and suburbans ran 3.08's(or worse!) with a 3 speed auto just fine. Generally, auto trans's don't need as deep of a set of axle gears as a similar vehicle with a manual trans.

I would also keep the stock 2-bbl, its a very good carb. IMHO the 304 without any internal mods won't gain much from going to a 4bbl unless its something small like the truck avenger 470cfm.