HarleyRidr45
New member
Can someone tell me what transmission & transfer case came out in a 79 CJ5 with the 304. I just bought the 79 and I cant find the information anywhere. Thanks in advance.. Mike
I have a cj5 and if I remember correctly, I'm almost positive, it's a Dana 30
rubn1out said:The Willys CJ-5 (after 1964 Jeep CJ-5) was influenced by new corporate owner, Kaiser, and the Korean War M38A1 Jeep. It was intended to replace the CJ-3B, but that model continued in production. The CJ-5 repeated this pattern, continuing in production for three decades while three newer models appeared. "The CJ-5 has the distinct honor of being a vehicle that was hard to kill off... equaling the longest production run of note."[10] A total of 603,303 CJ-5s were produced between 1954 and 1983.
In 1965, Kaiser bought the casting rights to the Buick 225 cu in (3.7 L) V6 Dauntless and the CJ-5 and CJ-6 got a new engine with 155 hp (116 kW) supplementing the four-cylinder Willys Hurricane engine.
A similar model, the Jeep DJ, was based on the CJ.
The company was sold to American Motors (AMC) in 1970, and the GM engine was retired after the 1971 model year. (GM's Buick division repurchased the engine tooling in the early 1970s which served as the powerplant in several GM vehicles.) The "Trac-Lok" limited-slip differential replaced the "Powr-Lok" in 1971.
American Motors began using their own engines in 1972. Replacing the Hurricane was the one-barrel 232 cu in (3.8 L) (except in California). Optional was a one-barrel 258 cu in (4.2 L) (standard in California). Also in 1972, AMC's 304 cu in (5 L) V8 engine became available in the same tune as a base V8 muscle car. To accommodate the new engines the fenders and hood were stretched 5 inches (127 mm) starting in 1972 and the wheelbase was stretched 3 inches (76 mm). Other drive train changes took place then as well, including the front axle becoming a full-floating Dana 30.
In 1976 the tub and frame were modified slightly from earlier versions. The windshield frame also changed meaning that tops from 1955-1975 will not fit a 1976-1983 CJ-5 and vice-versa.
In 1979, the standard engine become the 258 cu in (4.2 L) I6 that now featured a two-barrel carburetor.
From 1980 to 1983, the CJ-5 came standard with a "Hurricane"-branded version of the GM Iron Duke I4.
Several special CJ-5 models were produced:
[*]1961-1963 Tuxedo Park Mark III
[*]1965 "Tuxedo Park Mark IV"
[*]1969 Camper[11][12][13][14][15][16]
[*]1969 462
[*]1970 Renegade I
[*]1971 Renegade II
[*]1972-1983 Renegade Models — featuring a 304 cu in (5 L) V8, alloy wheels, and a Trac-Lok limited-slip differential
[*]1973 Super Jeep
[*]1977-1983 Golden Eagle
[*]1979 Silver Anniversary
Early Tuxedo Park models were trim lines, but the Tuxedo Park Mark IV was claimed as a separate model than the other CJ series (marked in 1965 as the "Universal"), with more differences than past models. The Tuxedo Park Mark IV was an attempt to crack the mass market; it was, according to Jeep, “a new idea in sports cars ... the sportiest, most FUNctional car on the automotive scene.” It added to the standard CJ chrome bumpers, hood latches, gas cap, mirror, and tail lamp trim. 81 and 101 inch wheelbases were available, with a variety of convertible top and seat colors, and front bucket seats in “pleated British calf grain vinyl.” Sales of this model, introduced in 1965, were low.[17]
In Australia, a unique variant of the CJ5/CJ6 was produced in limited numbers. In 1965, when the CJ was given the all-new Buick V6, Jeep saw the need for something similar in Australia. As such, they began to fit Falcon 6 cylinder engines to them at their Rocklea factory in Queensland. The jeep was fitted with an engine, pedal box and clutch/brake system corresponding to the equivalent Falcon at the time; i.e. a 1965 CJ5 would be fitted with 1965 Falcon engine/clutch components. When the Falcon received a hydraulic clutch system, so too did the Jeep. Combat 6 jeeps were also fitted with Australian Borg Warner differentials, and Borg Warner brand gearboxes. Unfortunately there is very little documentation about these jeeps, and often the only way to conclusively identify them is by owner history. Web page describing Jeep's presence in Australia, including the "Combat 6"
To save everyone from having to study the entire Jeep history above, the stock CJ5 in 1979 came out of the box with the AMC I6, T150, Spicer-Dana 20, Dana 30 front, and the AMC 20 rear. The AMC 304 was the V8 engine option and the T18 was a transmission option. 1979 was the only year Jeep offered the T18 behind the 304 in a CJ; all other years you could only order it behind the I6.
When I checked the vin it said mine was originally a 3speed. So yea it's been swapped. Just wished they'd put the T-18 in it, but that's ok I love it anyway.Actually you could get a CJ with a T18 starting in 1972 through 1979 but again only behind the I6 except for 1979. From 1972 to sometime during the 1976 model year the 1st gear was the 4.02 (close ratio) 1st gear. Sometime in 1976 the ratio was changed to 6.32 (wide ratio) but I’m not sure anyone knows exactly when the switch happened; as we all know the 1976 CJ is a bit of b@stard child from Jeep using up old parts.
The T176/Dana 300 combo was not available in a 1979 CJ. The D300 didn’t replace the D20 until 1980. It would be an easy swap though. With the original T176 bell housing it would be as close to a direct bolt in as you could get.