Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

How close is the wheel base to a Jeep CJ 5 or 7? Integrated drivetrain, easy parts, and its AMC, so the whole Chevy/Ford thing gets put to rest.

IMHO, Chevy and Ford small blocks are about equal in most respects as to quality and usability, they are both well designed and functional. I just hated the vehicles BOTH of them were bolted into.

Dave,

I completely blanked out on the Jeeps - good idea!! The wheelbase is 93.5-inch for the CJ-7 and 83.5-inch for the CJ-5. None are spot on, but there are OODLES of things available for Jeeps!

Now, regarding the my ford chevy debate going on, why not take it to private messages guys. It is getting tiresome...

I agree to stop the CHEVY ford debate.... with a jeep chassis I heard a dodge 360 slaps right in, but then again Ive seen a few MEAN jeeps with small block chevy motors... speaking of that, Im very excited, my dad just bought a 75 monza w/ford 9 inch, custom interior, shaved door handles, custom aluminum under the hood, and a very nice paint job. Will have pics soon on cardomain if anybody wants to see it.

A local jeep dork built a big block Dodge powered Jeep. He said that it was far from a bolt in deal, but it sure looked neat!

Hmmm, if it wasnt hemi, then too bad. Think, a hemi jeep.... that would be b/a

The funny thing is a 360,304, or 401 AMC motor is a bolt in in a Jeep. My brother had a CJ-7 with a 304 automatic. It was fun, if you put it in 4WD low and left the front hubs unlocked it would do wheelies.

I asked earlier and got no answer.... What is limiting the top speed of the stock drivetrain?

A slant 6 Dodge , (AKA The Leaning Tower of Power) has similar specs, HP and torque and will do 90 mph all day on the highway. A built up slant 6 will make serious power and torque.

I did a bit of looking around..The compression ratio is 7.0:1, would be a big limiting factor, but the final drive is 4.10:1, not too high. This thing is spec'd like a 1948 American truck.

If you were to balance the rotating assy and shave the head or find pop up pistons and get the CR up to 8.5-9.0:1 and a bit of cam and valve work, the problem may be solved. The engine has a very long stroke, 4.5 inches, so it will never be a high RPM engine, but if you can get it to breathe it might be alot easier than an engine swap. It already has a power curve like a diesel, and with a small 4 bbl carb, header and a cam around 265 deg duration, it would be a monster. Even injection if you have to fabricate a manifold anyway.

Someone must have done it already, likley in Australia, so use their research and build on it. Even spending a few thousand on the engine will be cheaper and easier than a swap, and way cooler in the end.

BTW, wheelbase is 86.6, right between CJ5 and CJ7

dbrick wrote: This thing is spec'd like a 1948 American truck...

That's pretty much what it is. Or at least a Japanese copy of one.

Hey, Roy Rogers drove one so it's alright with me.

You know, I was thinking, Big 6 cylinder, 7.0:1 compression ratio. That engine is begging to be supercharged or turbocharged. Anyone know if it will "go boom"?

So, did you ever decide what motor????
Go with a RB26dett!!

I haven't decided what to do... mostly because so far the original motor hasn't blow up yet.

I am leaning towards staying with a Nissan engine... either an RB or the Titan V-8.

NiceGuyInSanJose wrote:I am leaning towards staying with a Nissan engine... either an RB or the Titan V-8.

An older Q45 V8 would be heaps cheaper, and probably alot easier to wire up. Or were you planning on a stand-alone EFI set-up?

Call me stubborn, but turned over to a good machine shop, I think that original engine could make some very nice usable power, for the same or maybe alot less than a swap. That thing is the size of a Slant 6 and they can make lots of nice cheap power. Would be also fun to be very stock appearing but not stock performing.

Also, being that the pistons are traveling vertically and not at an angle, you get gravity assist, so lighter piston return springs can be used, freeing up additional horsepower. Add a couple of those swirly air intake cyclone tornado thingys and a magnetic fuel atomizer on the fuel line, the sky's the limit

but come one.... it aint no thing compared to a skyline motor where 1000hp can be squeezed out.... and you get the nice turbo sound and turbo pull!

datsunfreak wrote:I swear you guys recommending four cylinders must have never seen just how HUGE the stock engine is. It's easily the size of an old Chevy stove-bolt 6, which it appears to be a copy of.

You nailed it, John. That is actually what it is. The engine is a dam close copy, close enough for parts swapping. After the war, the majority of US armed forces heavy/medium trucks in reconstrutive services used the chevy engine that ended up being the model for the Nissan castings.

It was built for torque, and it's got plenty! With it's low gearing, the Nissan jeep knock-off will climb a wall, or pull a tree out by the roots. Top speed was/is not a design concern. Don't think it will turn more than 5K RPM, But it will drag three Toyota FJ's around like chihuahuas on leashes

These trucks are so dam rare it gives me shivers to hear anyone talk of modifing one. To me, they are beautiful in their unitary simplicity!

Import_sounds-of-mid-GA wrote:it aint no thing compared to a skyline motor where 1000hp can be squeezed out.... and you get the nice turbo sound and turbo pull!

Yeah... That'll tow...