i have a 78 cj5 with a 304,3speed ford 9" rear and dana 30 04 35 front.  i want to swap in a 350, sm465 and 205 xfer case.  also 14bolt rear and dana 44 hd front.  the problem i'm running into is the length and angle of the rear driveshaft.  i've looked into dennys and high angle.  is there a cheaper solution?  

Yeah... change the rear to a coilover and shove the rear axle back to the end of the jeep and cut out the wheel wells to match... then you may as well do the same to the front... TADA... longer driveshafts...

does the 205 have a slip yolk??? because an eliminator kit should fix some of your problems if that's the case... the SM465 is one of the shortest trannies made i thought... or you can just sell what you've got and buy a CJ-7 then do the swap...

you could also just upgrade your 9"  a built 9" is about as strong as a 14 bolt... they're a stout setup... especially a 31 spliner...  swing over to jpmagazines website and post the question too... and maybe fourwheeler.com  there are some self-proclaimed experts there that are pretty good with the specifics...  

I would not say a 9 inch is anywhere near as strong as a 14 bolt. It is strong but not that strong plus a 14 bolt 10.5 has a 4 ton rated capacity housing while 9 inch is 2 ton at best and even a 14 bolt 9.5 has a 3 ton rated housing too and there is more to carrying big rubber than just axle shaft strength as you have to have a housing to back it up too if you play hard.

It is a shame he wants to make it into a Cheveep though as a AMC 360 or 401 would bolt right in and just work out correct bellhousing for tranny. (All AMC 6's and V8 since mid 70's have same bolt pattern on bell housing) I have owned several 350's (own too now) and a AMC 360 for 23 years and not 350 I ever had ever matched the low RPM torque of that 360. 350's has more top end but 360 has the nutz down low were you need it most.  A 401 even moreso.  

Hi , I installed a 4.3 cu in Chevy V6 with a Muncy SM 420 tanny on my 1991 Wrangler. It runs great,But the Transmission is a little too agresive for a daily drive to work type of Jeep. I would be willing to trade the whole running gear ,Flywheel,Bell housing, Tranny with Novak adapters, for an automatic, preferably a 700 R4... You can contact me JB,at QBNRDNK@aol.com...Thanks JB,,,Miami Springs, Florida  

Hi, I installed a 4.3 cu.in. Chevy V6 with an SM420 using Novak adaoters. It runs great,but would be better suited for rock crawling and not a daily driver. I use it mainly as a go to work kind of car at this time. Later It will be at home in the Tennessee Hills were I have my land. I would trade the whole running gear: Flywheel,11 inch clutch, 59 Bell housing, SM 420 and adapters, for a 700R4 4X4 automatic... I had the rear driveshaft lengthened, and the front chortened. Like I said it runs great, Its Just that Fla. Is too flat...JB..QBNRDNK@aol.com  

my reason for wanting to do this swap is because i have all the chevy parts from my mud truck.  i know jeep has a strong 4speed and transfer case as well but i don't have those parts available to me.  I'm trying to keep costs down by using stuff i already have.  Anyone interested in a trade??  Either whole jeep or parts?