Re: [Amc-list] Jeep Cherokee Driveline in a mid to late 60's American?

[Wrambler <wrambler242@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Do not rule out the AMC-15. 
For a driver there is absolutely NO reason to pull it! NONE!
Torque the axle nuts, rebuild the brakes and go!, Oh There is one reason to rule it out.
Pinion seal can be very hard to locate, NOS item only :(
Anyway, if it does not leak at the pinion and you do not drag race the car, the 15 is fine.
I have 255/60/15's on the back of mine with a 3:31 twingrip. I have pulled a few "holeshots", maybe more than a few...
It's just so darned much fun, till you get caught... Anyway. It has held up fine!
  With a set of street tires and judicious driving, even somewhat spirited driving. It holds up well!
I have a spare 3:31 geared rear I figured when I broke number one, I would change to number two and then find the proper Ranger axle. Some 9-10 years later, I am still driving on number one! 
  I would not put the rear axle swap high on the list of "has to be dones". Rather I would place it on the second ot third round as I have done.
   Frank is right, I have searched hard for the "proper" swap axle. 
It is indeed a 1990 thru 1992 Ranger 8.8". found behind 4.0L. They also came in some of the H.D version Rangers as early as 1988, but harder to find.  Ratios are fairly good for an O.D equiped car, they run.
3:27
3:42 (7.5 only IIRC)
3:55
3:73
4:10

Open or posi, the tag will read say 3:27 for open, 3L27 for posi (IIRC) 
Door/cab tag info is also available online should you not want to crawl under and look at the tag!
Beware that these are older now and axle and gear swaps are common on Rangers!

Mark Price
Morgantown, WV 26508
1969 AMC Rambler, 4.0L, EFI, T-5
2004 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.7L, Quadratrac II
"I realize that death is inevitable.
I just don't want to be around when it happens!"

----- Original Message -----
From: "Frank Swygert" <farna@xxxxxxx>
To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cc: "amc rebel sst" <amc_rebel_sst@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 8, 2009 4:07:55 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [Amc-list] Jeep Cherokee Driveline in a mid to late 60's American?

Mark Price (wrambler on here and the Yahoo Jeep Strokers forum) has a 4.0L w/T-5 in a 69 or so American, I have one in a 63 Classic w/the Jeep AW-4 auto. I used a Cherokee rear axle with ladder bars for a while, but it's too wide even for the Classic. I had 7" wheel with 3.75" back spacing and 205/70R15 tires -- they scrubbed every time I hit a big bump. You'd need 7" wheels with 5" back spacing to fit the Classic. You can get Weld DragLite wheels in that configuration, but only one or two other wheels with that much backset on a 7" wheel. An 8" wheel will likely be a bit wide.

A Ford Ranger rear axle, however, will work fine. The 4.0L Ranger used an 8.8" rear axle from 1990 up according to "The Ranger Station" (http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html). You would need a 90-92 8.8" Ranger axle for the American, the 93+ is 2" wider (would be good for a Classic) -- same as the Explorer axle. you can also use the 83-92 Ranger 7.5" axle. It should be more than strong enough for a 4.0L -- the Dana 35 is only a little stronger than a Ford 7.5". If you're building a cruiser or daily driver I'd consider using the 7.5", the lighter weight would help mileage a bit. 

-------------
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 07:28:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Mike S <amc_rebel_sst@xxxxxxxxx>

Just curious if anyone has put in an entire 2-wheel driveline, engine to rear end in a mid/late 60's American.  From what I've been reading, the 4.0 should drop in, you could probably use the tranny since it's a 2 wd cherokee and the rear end, from what I've been reading is 55 1/4 inches flange to flange and the Americans is 56 1/2 flange to flange.  
 
I understand for the rear you'd have to change the spring perches/mounts because the cherokee  uses coils and the americans use leaf.  
 
I think that this would be an interesting swap if the rears would fit.  
 

-- 
Frank Swygert
Publisher, "American Motors Cars" 
Magazine (AMC)
For all AMC enthusiasts
http://farna.home.att.net/AMC.html
(free download available!)

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