Got a parts truck... what's the easiest swap?

Which swap would you do?

  • Put 78 motor/gas tank into 74

    Votes: 15 93.8%

  • Put 74 tranny/case and axles/suspension into 78 & make flatbed

    Votes: 1 6.3%
  • Total voters
    16
kilby

kilby

Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Charlotte, NC
For anyone who wants to play, here's the deal... it's a little tricky to follow, so read carefully :flipoff2:

So I have this project that my pop and I are working on. His truck is a '74 J-10 with a dead AMC 360. We just picked up a complete '78 J-10 with a newly rebuilt AMC 360.


The 74 is already lifted, beefed up steering, good tranny and t-case. Body is decent enough for a trail rig. 74 also needs a new gas tank.

The 78 has a GREAT motor, new gas tank and the cab/front clip is super straight. 78 also has a blown tranny, stock janky suspension and rusted bed.


So. NC4x4 experts. What do you think would be the easiest route for this build? Please vote and/or post any other questions or anecdotes as you see fit.
 
well if it is JUST motor and Gas Tank then swap away.
If you are contemplating ALSO swapping the cabs...thats a bit tougher decision.
 
then its a no brainer swing the motor drop the tank and wheel...day day and a half tops...no lifting, steering tranny crap to worry with
 
If you were closer to me you'd be welcome to come get mine. But if ya wanna make the drive, come get it
 
looks like im the only Go 78 route...

So it would be a little more time/work..BUT you would know what you had...A Clean J10that you put all the parts on. Besides working on them and building them is the fun part!
 
I once had a 79 j10. Make sure that the parts are the same from one truck to the other. Jtrucks are kinda bastards when it comes to what is on them.
 
The gas tanks on the FSJs can be tricky. There is a break in the years where different styles were used, and they aren't necessarily backwards compatible, least not without some fab work. Complete drivetrain swaps aren't always super easy either. The motor swap will be the easiest, with a cherry picker of course. The other swaps could be done without one, so that may make the decision for you. But if the tanks will swap in, I'd vote for the motor/tank swap and be done.
 
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