Another diesel CJ3A build

After a few weeks of owning and looking more closely at everything - it started to bother me - I didn't like the lift so much at all and combined with the overpowering V8 and hotrod tranny, it just wasn't fun to drive, to me. The R&P steering pretty much guaranteed, that it couldn't leave the tarmac. That is when it started - it had to be rebuilt. Initially, I thought of just re-doing the steering and throwing lockers in the diffs. After some research, it became clear that there is maybe one option of putting a light auto-locker in those old diffs. Before, getting this jeep, I had (and still am), a Toyota person - had a built 1985 pickup and now have a 1997 Land Cruiser that is triple locked and lifted. I started looking into swapping Dana axles in the jeep - the more I researched, the more i got frustrated. Boils down to - upgraded narrow Dana axles are rare (only Wagoneers of certain years and some Isuzu Rodeos) and have limited choice of lockers. I really wanted a selectable lockers like I have in my FJZ80. At this point, I was only thinking of swapping axles and steering. 

Finally, I gave up on the Dana axles and found a pair of narrow Toyota mini truck (pre-IFS) axles that sit 55" wide (compared to 49" width of the stock Dana 25/44). Settled on OE electric locker for front axle and Detroit auto locker in the rear. While the Toyota axles are 3" wider on each side, the -4.5" BS rims will compensate and from where things sit now, it might end up close - with 11.5" wide tires, instead of the current 12.5".

Then we (my friend/mechanic who does pretty much all the wrenching and I) took a closer look at the Ford 302 motor. It runs real good now, even after sitting for months, it starts right away every time. But hangs really low with the oil pan. First, we contemplated options from customizing the pan, all the way to relocating the oil pump. While we still hadn't thought of swapping the motor out, I went ahead and got a Ford NP435 tranny along with a Dana 300 and adapter to mate the two.

Coincidentally, at the same time, my friend was parting out a VW TDI Bug with 89k miles on it. Both of us have been really wanting to put a diesel in one of our trucks, for a long time. At first, I was reluctant to throw away the Ford 302 but finally, the call of the diesel was too strong to resist (and I think I bumped into Seth's build thread that basically told me, it could be done). Other minor reasons I want to do away with the Ford 302 are lift and body mods done to fit the relatively big engine. With a smaller engine, I am hoping I can lose the current front SPOA and all the tiny body shims. 

So now, I have a VW TDI (ALH) motor complete with harness, fuel injection pump and all the donor parts to make it run independently. I have two built Toyota narrow mini truck axles, complete with brand new 4.88 gears - new Detroit locker in rear and front modded with e-locker diff. I have one NP435 and one Dana 300, for this project. And, ended up with another Ford NP435 and a Dana 20 (including adapter) from another project.

Still trying to decide what transmission will fit best. Currently, looking at SM420 since Diesel Conversions from BC, Canada makes an adapter kit for Chevy SBC compatible trannies, along with the Dana 300 (built with 4:1 low gear set). 

Will be a few weeks while it’s garage sibling gets some TLC 😬

ALH motor is one the best ever made, with a stage 4 tune, injectors, and a down pipe I was pushing over 150 HP and over 300 ft/lbs of torque. very reliable and fun.

The SM420 is a old trans and very "trucky" shift.  I've swapped a Sm465 and a T18 into jeeps, by far the best was the T18 for weight and ease of working on it etc.  the front can be adapted easily to the GM bell housing on a Buick v6 so if you can get a GM adapter for the ALH it should be pretty doable. 

Or stick with the ford small block bellhousing etc?  This Co. looks like it has lots of options. 

Jay