Re: 727 to 518 swap...

["Jim Blair" <carnuck@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A: The A500 is not terribly strong stock, but can be modded somewhat. (Jim 
Mantle knows a lot more about that than I do. Especially since I haven't 
done any Mopar trans rebuilding in almost 20 years) I was thinking maybe the 
5 or 6 speed version of the Lexus AW trans, IF the Jeep AW4 bellhousing fit. 
A few other ideas came to mind. An adapter plate to use a Jeep Aw4 bell on a 
Chev O/D trans (like 700R4) or the Buick nailhead trans adapter for AMC. How 
about an adapter plate and valve body to attach the tailstock of the 518 to 
a 727 (with correct valving tubes built in)?
   I'll be testing the strength of the AW4 in a FSJ in the next month or so. 
(and doing a writeup for AIM and FSJ Magazine with photos) The drivetrain 
swap from the Tee boned and rolled 4.0L AW4 '93 Grand Cherokee is proceeding 
slowly (I should be out working on it now, but wrestling the scrunched up 
passenger's side apart yesterday left me feeling kind of sore today. The 
passenger's seat was squished to 12" from the normal 20ish" and the 
passenger's door was almost on top of it. Fortunately there were no 
passengers at the time of the accident) The heat outside is a bit much for 
me too (78 degrees is my shutdown point till I acclimate again)
   They used the AW4 in tow package XJ Cherokees and MJ Comanches (even 
Metric Tonne versions) so the truck alone is no prob for the trans to 
handle. Weight of load will be changed partially by gear ratio at that 
point. (I'm essentially matched the stock XJ ratio with tire/gear combo and 
went a little lower ratio to account for extra weight) Controlling the shift 
is the only big trick to bolting one in. (that and finding a tcase to fit 
4x4 versions. 21 spine that are used '87 to 08/90 are a bit weak and 
slipyokes in the later ones are a pain if you lift.
   I have a tcase from an '03 Rubicon with 4:1 low range that will bolt up 
to my '93 23 spline trans. Other options are the stock FSJ case (with a 7/8" 
spacer on most between the case and trans) or possibly others with adapters.
   I will probably rip apart an AW4 and swap in the Toyota AW4 Tcase 
(integral type) to put in my '73 J4000 and just run a manual controller (or 
figure out a way to operate the computer with a carb on my 304. Maybe an 
ignition upgrade from Z&M jeeps with EFI controller built in)


From: farna@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: 727 to 518 swap...
To: mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <ADVANCES62iEXwOoz2T00004493@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

I didn't think about the A500. How is it strength-wise though? Stronger than 
a stock AW4? I'd run an AW4 behind a stock low compression 360 as long as it 
was pretty much stock, maybe a mild cam and 600 4V. Don't know about putting 
it in a GW and towing a heavy load though. I'd definitely think the AW4 
would be up to the taks of just motoring a GW around though. I've had no 
problems with mine behind a 245 hp/300+ lb/ft 4.6L, even towing about a 
3,000 pound load (trailer and load total 3,000).

On July 19, 2005 Jim Mantle wrote:

> The back of the case where the OD or tailshaft attach is different between 
> a 727 and a 518. The A500 is available with an AMC bellhousing (4 litre 
> Grand Cherokee) and this is a much easier route to go.

> Jim Mantle