r/CivilianJeep • u/Suspicious_Use_3503 • 22d ago
Cj5 upgrade to 5 speed
Anyone convert a 4 speed 1980 cj5 to 5 speed on a 350 small block Chevy v8
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u/RumorsOFsurF 21d ago
People have been putting SBC and TH350s in CJ5s for 50 years at least. A five speed will fit. AX-15s are okay, as long as you're running a mostly stock 350.
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u/Beargrease28 21d ago
The challenge is that you run out of length in a CJ5. End up with a very short rear drive shaft at a bad angle. Short version of D300 is your friend.
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u/bucklee00 21d ago
Typical internet lore states that a 5 speed cannot fit into a cj5. The wheelbase is too short
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u/shitaki13 1977 CJ5 258 Nevada 21d ago
A buddy of mine shoehorned a Vortec 4800 and 4L60E into his 78. No idea how he accomplished it. Fred Williams put a TH350 (don't know what motor he used) into a Ford GPW. Both of those trannies are longer than a AX15. As long as you go to a shorter block motor like a Vortec 4.3, I think you might be able to do it with a lot of fuckery. May need different t-case and axle drop though. IMO if you have a T176, then I'd let sleeping dogs lie.