[dstrebor]

I’m new at this so please bear with me.
I recently aquired a 1968 CJ5 with the original Buick 225 V6 Dauntless. What a blast!
Someone dropped a GM TH350 automatic transmission in it. I’d like to reconvert it to manual (as it should be).
Been shopping for a tranny. Found several possibilities including an AX15, SM420, NV4500 and an NSG370.
I think I’ve decided on the 6 speed NSG370 mainly do to the overdrive and the fact that off-roading will happen only on occasion.

Guess my question is, does anyone out there know if it will fit in my CJ5? Has anyone put one in a 68 before? The NSG370 includes the transfer case. The setup came out of a 2005 Rubi. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time folks.

R/
Dave Roberts
San Diego, Ca

[jayhawkclint]

Could you please take some pics of that TH350 setup before you dismantle it? Thanks.

Check around this great web site for some good ideas:
www.earlycj5.com

Do you still have the off-center rear diff, or has it been converted? If it is the original D44, a better solution would be to use a truck 4spd, like a T-18 perhaps, then adapt to a D18 t-case and install a Warn OD. This will give you a much more compact setup with a lower low-range than what you'd get out of the close ratio 5 or 6 speeds.

[RMeak]

Your biggest obstacle is going to be length, but it may have not been to much of a problem if you curently have a th350/tc? already in there. If it were me and the setup worked I would leave the auto tranny, just because I prefer an auto for wheeling. If I was choosing amongst your choices I would go with the SM420 and a model 18 tranny unless the rear diff is centered then a dana 20 transfer case.
Novak and Advanced Adapters would be your next stop to find the adapter plates for the Rubi tranny/tc setup. Remember you have a short wheel base and you have to contend with driveline angles and the further back you go with your output for your rear driveshaft the shorter and more extreme the rear drive shaft length and angles get.

[dstrebor]

Thanks for the great info guys. I will take some pics of the TH350.

I believe the rear dif is the original D44 but I will double check tonight after work. Don’t remember if it’s off-set but I think so….to the right.

Front, from what I can let with my limited experience is a D27….definitely offset to the right. Not sure what transfer case I'm currently running, however, it does have 2 shift levers. Haven’t done much research on it yet.

I'm a bit concerned about the current setup do to the fact that the front drive shaft was not installed when I got the jeep (he handed it to me at the curb). When I looked under the vehicle I realized why. Looks to me like the shaft would hit the TH350 pan if installed (or come extremely close).

You guys may have talked me out of the Rubi set up. I do have a pretty good line on a remanned NV4500 and a new-old-stock Army surplus SM420. The NV4500 is available locally and the SM420 would need to be shipped to me. I’m kinda leaning towards the NV4500. Which do you guys recommend? Both look significantly shorter than the Rubi setup and adapters seem easier to obtain.

Thanks again for the assistance guys. This forum is great.

R/
Dave

[RMeak]

Check out Novaks site they have some really good info on these type of setups. As I think I can remember a NV4500 is about 18 inches long and the sm420 is around 10, so if you could imagine with an added TC the NV4500 is alot longer than stock. If you have twin sticks I believe it is a model 18 unless th PO swapped in a d300 with a twin stick. Does the TC have a drum brake on the end of it? But check Novak adapters good stuff there.

[dstrebor]

No drum on the end of the TC.

I'll get more info on the setup tonight. Guess I'm thinkin if the TH350 is working (not sure how long it is), the NV4500 should fit length wise. I will check Novak.

thanks RMeak.

R/
Dave

[dstrebor]

Difs on front and rear are definitely off-set to the right. Front is a Dana 27. Not sure but all indications are that the rear is a Dana 44. TC has 2 sticks and a Dana stamp in the back. not sure which model. See the Pix. Maybe someone out there can help me.

Took several pix of the current setup. See the Pix. I've decided to go with the NV4500. I figured the length shouldn't be a problem since I'm pulling a TH350 out. Length of the setup required the current drive shaft to be only 12 to 13 inches long. Anyway, thanks for the help and advice. Keep the comments coming. Thanks.

R/
Dave

[dstrebor]

More Pix of 68 CJ5 prior to pulling the TH350.

Clinton recognized the T-case as a D18. Current Plan is to pull the TH350, install an NV4500 and use the same D18 T-case. Any thoughts?

Thanks for everyones input.

R/
Dave

[garretj64]

Did you ever end up installing the NV4500? If so how has it been working for you?