A fellow member of the EarlyCJ5 board asked the following question - a valid one that deserves repeating here:
Why did you decide to go the 4.3 and the 700R4 route with the SS Dutch, instead of rebuilding what you have and adding a TH400 behind the ol’ Dauntless? Not that there is anything wrong with that, but It just seems like a lot of fabbing and such to gain a few HP, when there is a setup that will basically bolt in and cost a lot less $$.
Coupla reasons. Neither of them HP related - actually since the 4.3 and the CJ6 will be heavier I’m not really sure what to expect in terms of seat of the pants performance differences going this route.
Driveability is a big one, mostly as it relates to going with a fuel injected motor. I want a Jeep that starts up and runs like new cars do - regardless of the weather and temp. Between cold-weather starting issues with the Dauntless, and the poor high-altitude performance that contributed to our rollover in CO I’ve just always wanted FI, but have not been willing to pay what it costs to buy for the Dauntless, not skilled enough to design myself, and would rather have something “junkyard” for parts availability.
I’m also hoping that with the improved driveability and ride of the longer wheelbase ‘6 that we can use it as one of our two daily drivers. The Jeep has always been a “toy” and one that MsBoyink has never felt comfortable driving alone. I want a Jeep that she will be able to load the kids up and head to the beach if I need the car for a meeting out of town. This clears my driveway of a 3rd car, gets me a DD that lives in the garage in the winter, and saves on plates and insurance costs.
Cheap replacement power is factor - once the swap is done if I blow a motor it’s just another junkyard trip for a used 4.3 instead of a more expensive rebuild on an older/rarer motor.
The 700R4 is kinda a “gimme”, since many of the 4.3 vehicles just had them. I was originally planning a TH350 since I’ve read that the TH400s are somewhat of a power sap. But I’ll probably get a 700R4 anyway, and since I can accomodate the length I might as well take advantage of the 4sp, and the lockup design that’s supposed to be configurable to allow for compression braking. I can also add my Warn OD back on for a 90 MPH/2K ride…
And lastly, just for the sake of doing it. I’ve never done a complete frame-off on a vehicle, never done a motor or tranny swap, and am just excited by the challenge of it (but also assume that it’s probably going to be the only one I do..). Now that I’ve had a welder and such for a couple of years I feel like I can tackle it without having to pay for some of the fabrication.
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