automatic trans in a cj-5?

I'm bulding a 81' CJ5 for my dad. I want to put a Auto trans in it. I've heard that "there's no way" ,"They came with them" All kinds of answers and nothing for sure. I have a strong background on fourwheeling and race car fabercation, but nothing with jeeps I'm learning as I go. :banghead:


The jeep has a stock 258 6cyl (well kind of stock. milled the head,multi- port fuel injected, flattops) . I have a chrysler 999 auto trans with a dana 300 t-case will it work? Crossmember/linkage mods no problem. I can do that I was told the front drive shaft would interfear with the trans pan? The jeep has a 2.5" spring lift.

Any input would be great!! If you have any early bronco or mustang questions I might be able to help I think I've broke,bent,or replaced every part in eather vechicle.

You can put any kind of tran you want.

Who ever told you that is really smoking something.

Ask him how I did this.

81 Cj-5 (Hey same vehicle)

Chevy 350 - 650 HP Connected to

T-18A ford tranmission out of a F350. Connected to

Dana 300

Hmmm Chevy to a Ford to a Jeep.

One thing.
It would be better to put in a standard than an auto, ONLY if you are going to so some really rough 4x4.


Good luck.

Look at Advance Adapters in any 4x4 mag.

Yea, that's what I said..Tell me I can't and I'll die trying. It's sad to say the hardest wheeling this jeep will see are the pot holes here on michigan road.

My buddy said the same thing until he saw a trail that he just had to see where it went.

After that he was addicted.

Potholes only - then you need a blower on that 350 :iceslolan

There was never an automatic transmission offered in a CJ-5. There was no automatic transmission offered in a CJ until the CJ-7, because of the added 10" wheelbase over the 5. I'm sure now you might be able to find a short enough Auto to fit, but I don't know. Check over at www.jeepforum.com that is a GREAT Jeep forum.

gschretter: T18A's did come in CJs at one time, so I see no reason why it wouldn't work. Espically since advanceadapters sells everything you need to put the 350 in there and use a t18 with it along with the adapters needed to put the dana300 on it. :) However, standard transmissions are quite a bit shorter than autos which is why there was never a stock auto in a CJ-5.

Where in my email did I say automatics came in a CJ5. I said you can put anything you want in a cj5.

My jeep came with 4 cyl with t-150 with a Dana 20.

I replaced everything on my Jeep.

I guess this is another fourm where there are "Mr. Know-it-all" that can not wait to flex there "look at me" muscle.

Pi$$ Off.

you said you could put anything you want into it..well you can't. cj5s are too short for most automatic trannys (theyre obviously longer than a manual). therefore if you want an automatic CJ, your best bet is to get a CJ7...10" extra wheelbase makes fitting an auto a hell of a lot easier and they came stock with autos so theres always the stock option.

i didn't say he couldn't do it, i said he'd have to find one short enough that fit, and I can't think of anybody who has done it.

yeah and my 7 came with a GM 151, SR-4, and a dana 300 now it has a AMC 258 t176 and dana 300...and still has a rust-free factory frame and near rust-free factory tub. :)

I have a 79cj5 with a 350 and a turbo350 witha np205. It fits just fine if you know what your doing and have the know how to make your own tranny mounts. You just have to get shorter driveshafts that's all.
Here's proof you can put absoulty anything in a jeep.

http://off-road.com/4x4web/features/1999/03/