Good info, thanks Tom! Pictures are coming... I just need to get 'em uploaded.
The auto to manual swap is actually pretty simple. A sawzall made easy
work of the tunnel hole. I took the crossmember from the '94 truck...
easy (except hammering on that thing to dislodge it is like hammering
on a steel barrel with my head inside!) I havn't tackled the clutch
pedal yet... but looking at both setups, it should be pretty easy.
I'll need an extra hole in the firewall. If you wanted to make this
swap without a complete donor, it would still be very doable. Just
take a good look at a factory 5spd truck first for reference.
Why did I swap? A) I'm sick of automatics. B) I'm sick of Chryco
automatics. C) My tranny guy wanted $12-1400 for a BENCH rebuild. I
got the donor truck for $1200. What would you do? :)
As for radiator and cooling... I'm installing a pair of electric
pusher fans in front of the radiator. I havn't tested the radiator for
spacing behind the water pump pulley... it'll be tight, but should
fit. The next fun part (after I get the truck moving) will be swapping
in the A/C set up... when done, it'll be my choice between A/C and
top-down! Woohoo!
Back to axles. Since I want to get the truck moving asap, for now I
think I'll just lock the disconnect. I'll swap the '94 center section
in later if it works. I'm glad to hear the rear axleshafts share the
same spline count (both 8.25)... I'll take the '94 rear too, in that
case. I definitely want to keep the 5-lug bolt pattern!
More updates and pictures to come. All that's left is clutch
pedal/cylinder, exhaust, electricals (ugh!), axle attention, and
reassembly. Thanks!
Anybody want a 250,000 mile 3.9L or a slipping trans??
Don
On 6/12/06, Terrible Tom <SilverEightynine@aol.com> wrote:
>
> Don Rey wrote:
> >
> > Alright, so I'm aproaching the detail work of my engine swap - I'm
> > putting a 94 318/5spd into my 89 Convertible (was a 3.9L/auto). I have
> > to decide how to handle the front axle and I have questions:
>
> I have a question for you - how are you dealing with the conversion from
> auto to stick? Crossmember? CLutch pedel??
>
>
> >
> > The '89 has vacuum-operated axle disconnect. The '94 donor does not
> > have the disconnect. Are there other differences between the '89 and
> > the '94 axles (besides bolt pattern)?
>
> CV axles between the 89 and 94 are different. As far as I can tell the
> difference is outboard - where the axles spline into the hubs. The
> center section between a Gen I and a Gen II should be interchangeable.
> I considered this option once already and did research into it.
>
> >
> > Can the '89 axle handle being engaged full time the same that the '94 does?
>
> Yeah if you lock the shift fork and collar in place, the driveline
> should handle it - all it will be doing is rotating while driving, it
> won't be under power. (disconnected at the transfercase)
>
> >
> > Do the half-shafts differ in spline count or anything between the '89
> > and the '94?... are they interchangable if I want to keep my bolt
> > pattern but swap the rest of the axle?
>
> As stated above the axles are different I believe but the width and bolt
> count on the center section should be the same. The axle halfshafts are
> different part numbers.
>
> >
> > By the same token, do the rear axleshafts differ in spline count?...
> > depending on ratio, if I take the '94 front axle, I may have to take
> > the rear too.
>
> As long as you have the same axle housing (8-1/4) the spline count
> should be 27 - and they are easily changed. (pop the crosspin out and
> remove the C-clips and bingo)
>
> You are better off keeping the 5-lug pattern, as wheel options are
> better. There are more choices out there for the 6- lug pattern now than
> there were when it first came out, but the 5 lug pattern wheels are
> cheaper, and more plentiful.
>
> Also - I do not know if the front hubs are interchangable. I looked at
> this on my 1995, since the rear differential grenaded and I had a spare
> 8-1/4 from a Gen I with the 5 lug pattern. I was looking to swap the
> Gen I 5 lugs into it. The front hub assemblys are different and I
> didn't get far enough to see if they are interchangeable. they "might" be.
>
> >
> >
> > So here are the options I see... any I should strike out or add?
> >
> > 1) Adjust the fork & clips inside the disconnect so that it's always
> > engaged. Keep the complete '89 axle assembly.
> >
> > 2) Alternative adjustment to disconnect so that it's always engaged or
> > manually switched.
> >
> > 3) Put my '89 transfer case back in. It has the vacuum switch for
> > operating the disconnect... I'm assuming they bolt up and this won't
> > cause wiring/computer problems. I hate bench-pressing that damn akward
> > transfer case though...
> >
> > 4) Swap the '94 axle in. Have to figure out spline count, axle ratio,
> > and consider bolt pattern and rear axle swap.
> >
> > 5) Solid Axle. Oh sorry, that's from Walt's project list. I'll stick
> > with IFS.
> >
>
> As Walt and myself can both attest to, the CAD units on the Gen I's are
> a pile of crap. My first choice would be to see you swap out the Gen I
> center section for the Gen II section, assuming it will work.
>
> A little while ago I had thought about welding the diff on my front
> center section, and keeping use of the CAD... acting like selectable
> locker. I decided against it however, when I figured that I would be
> snapping halfshafts, or front axle u-joints, like crazy. Part of me
> wishes I would still do that, just to see what it would take to snap
> something. heh.
>
> Gimme some pics man! I'd like to see what you are doing! How did you
> deal with the radiator and cooling system?
>
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> Rocks are for skipping... I'm all about the mud
> 75 Honda CL360, 89 Dakota, 89 Dakota 4x4,
> 95 Dakota 4x4, 96 Neon, 01 Ram 4x4
> http://members.aol.com/silvereightynine/
> AIM & Yahoo: SilverEightynine
>
> .
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