GM 350 to 79 Jeep 400 Auto, will it work?

Finally got my 350 in my YJ, now I have run into a snag. I have called all the scrap yards in Texas seems like, and none of them have, or seem to have even heard of, a th400 or th350 for a 4x4. So for 2 weeks my project has been at a stand still, but tonight while cruising Craigslist I found a complete 79 Cherokee Golden Eagle. It claims to have a locked up AMC 360, Turbo 400, QuadraTrac, and Wide track Dana 44s. Body is in horrible shape, but the price is right if the trans, t-case, and axles are usable. So at this point the questions are as follows;

1. Will the AMC bellhousing on the 400 bolt to my first gen 350?

2. Is the QuadraTrac t-case better or worse than my np231, and if so, is it a driver or pass. side front driveshaft?

and finally, is it worth the trouble to swap my 30/35 YJ axles for the wide track 44s or is it just more trouble than it's worth?

I just want to tie up any loose ends before I jump off and buy this thing and end up with a bunch of parts I can't use. Thanks, Clayton

I do know that Jeep offered the th400 in CJs, Cherokees, Wagoneers, and J10 and J20 trucks. I do not think the bell housing patterns are the same. I am not sure....

The Quadra-Trac is a full time unit that has a viscuous (sp) differential in it. The ones I have been around worked really well. They like gasoline though (many of these vehicles got single digit mileage), and some did not have low range. IMO stay with the 231. It is offen beneficial to uncouple the front axle. Parts are plentiful.

I would go with the axles .... With a small block you will probably need to beef up the axles, and YJ axles are not a really strong point.

Surfing the net and found;

Bell housing pattern is different and Advance Adapters wants $285 for the kit to make it work

TJ 44s are driver side diff. but I am finding that most of the older jeeps have pass side frt diffs which won't wrk with my 231

Not looking good for the Cherokee deal

It will not bolt up, but you can change the bell housing. Go to jeg's and order the TCI bell housing for you chevy small block. The transmission itself will be the same, or should be.

Also, if your looking for performance and aggressive stance, you could look for chevy D44 & 12 bolt. Chevy's have a passenger side pumpkin. The axles will be much wider, but will help with your center of gravity when crawling... and they should be fairly cheap. I would NOT run a 30/35 with a 350 pushing power to them if you are planing on doing any wheeling. If it's just a street machine, then you should be okay if you don't get on the skinny pedal.

lonestar rubi wrote:

It will not bolt up, but you can change the bell housing. Go to jeg's and order the TCI bell housing for you chevy small block. The transmission itself will be the same, or should be.

GM transmissions have the bellhousing integrated with the case....There are plenty of 4WD chevys though, and don't under-sell the TH350. I have seen them hold up to big blocks, and it is much shorter in length. If you could find an old 3/4ton rusted out Chevy you would have axles and a trans. All Chevy Bell Housings have the same pattern from 4.3V6 to 454V8 and 6.2 diesel also.

In other words .... Robert is wrong....


and I think a TH350 is the way I would go...

[quote="potlickinpirate"]

lonestar rubi wrote:

If you could find an old 3/4ton rusted out Chevy you would have axles and a trans.

Well all you guys up there around the "Big City" keep your eyes open. If anybody can find me a whole truck or just a trans, th350 or 400, I can hook up to the trailer and come pick it up. Hell at this point I would even throw in a finders fee, even if it's just a case of beer lol. I am just at a loss in this area, and have run out of places to look. Thanks alot for all the input, Clayton

The hunt is on...

http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/2219308059.html

use a 700r4...........lower 1st gear is better