Easiest install for a SB OD, auto trans.

[MMissile]

I have a super low-mile 318, and would like to install it into our Gremlin. I won't do it, unless I can easily install an OD auto trans. The BW auto, **** the bed...and the 258 isn't a powerhouse.
What's readily available, and easy to install?

 

[Professor Fate]

Honestly, I' d get the engine and trans out of an XJ Cherokee 2wd. 4.0L., Aisin AW4 4spd. automatic.
Almost a bolt in (at least compared to a 318 and rather obese Mopar overdrive); and if you don't mind wiring, the FI isn't too bad of a swap.

 

[Darter6]

Anything is possible with enough work.
What a clean looking Gremmie.. Used to ride to school with a buddy that had a new 72 3 speed manual.
Always liked them. They made 'um with V8's too.
A 904 with a Gearvendor's OD may fit nice with the 318 between the fenders.
Or a A500 if you could find one.The biggest problem is reworking the trans crossmember to fit with the factory OD. Did a 72 B Body with a A518 years ago. lots of cutting and fitting.

 

[66Valiant528]

I believe a mopar NAG transmission bolts to a small block, but im sure some type of electronics are required. Even the new TF8s fit. Met a guy at Lebanon Valley Dragway who had one behind a 340 in a Cuda. $1000 transmission controller but he got the tranny from a junk scat pack.Of course 42RH and 46RH mopar trannys with relatively cheap oil pressure sending unit switches and a toggle switch. But there's probably an adapter made for just about anything you want to use.

 

[TT5.9mag]

A500 is the best route to go if you want to stay 904 sized and mopar. Extreme automatics has a 2004r that’s small and fits just about any chassis but is $$$ for the conversion bell and install stuff.

 

[Darter6]

I was going to do the OD in my 88 Ram D350. All options considered.
Anyway I priced it out I was going to have at least $4,000 in the swap.

 

[TT5.9mag]

I just put a 46RE in my 73 D100 behind a magnum. I got the core trans from pick a part for $150. Payed $1200 for an HP rebuild and custom converter. $800 for a controller from etranscontrol.com and built the crossmember and mount myself. $2150 total.

 

[abdywgn]

Nice looking Gremlin! I'll be watching to see what you do for mounts. I dropped a 360 in just to see where stuff fits. Looks like A-body mounts would work with plates on top of the factory frame. Was leaning toward a 4-speed swap but we'll see.

 

[blind bat]

I was going to do the OD in my 88 Ram D350. All options considered.
Anyway I priced it out I was going to have at least $4,000 in the swap.

I have a A518 in my D150. I used a Chevy polyurethane mount and the pressure switch kit for OD. I had a new drive shaft made up which was the most expensive part of the install. Pretty simple swap.

 

[MMissile]

Fabbing isn't an issue. I'm looking at cost and electronic BS. If it's prohibitive, I'll just rebuild an AMC 304/360. I have an AMC 727, for V8's. Stick is out, as it's my wife's car and she wants an auto.
This car will probably never see another thousand miles.

 

[MMissile]

Honestly, I' d get the engine and trans out of an XJ Cherokee 2wd. 4.0L., Aisin AW4 4spd. automatic.
Almost a bolt in (at least compared to a 318 and rather obese Mopar overdrive); and if you don't mind wiring, the FI isn't too bad of a swap.

Jeep guys scarf all the 4.0 stuff, and make it expensive. Great idea, though.

 

[MMissile]

This was the last AMC of mine....
Real deal, and the one you see in magazines, drags, etc. I sold it at 90% done.

Same Gremlin in background. I bought it on Ebay, around 2002. It was a garaged car from Phoenix [rust-free], and an estate.
My wife wanted a Gremlin, so I got her a great one. I bought all the NOS trim that I could find. It was available and
pretty cheap back then. Man, lots of things have changed, since then. Especially the house.

 

[Professor Fate]

Jeep guys scarf all the 4.0 stuff, and make it expensive. Great idea, though.

The 2wd stuff though can be had for a song, at least around here. Can't hardly give 2wd Jeep stuff away.

If it's prohibitive, I'll just rebuild an AMC 304/360. I have an AMC 727, for V8's.

If you've got the stuff, that's the way I'd go.
I wonder if the A518/46RH overdrive tailshaft is adaptable to the AMC case...? They're both 727 based.
Minimal electronics that way.

 

[Kern Dog]

I have a super low-mile 318, and would like to install it into our Gremlin. I won't do it, unless I can easily install an OD auto trans. The BW auto, **** the bed...and the 258 isn't a powerhouse.
What's readily available, and easy to install?

View attachment 1716416992
View attachment 1716416993

It isn't manly for me to state this but that car is adorable.

 

[JDMopar]

The motor mounts to install the 318 should be a cake walk for you. I would think an A500, or 42RH as transmission guys call them would be about the easiest install. Those are 904 based with the OD hanging on the back. Late 80's, early 90's Dakota 2WD are usually the best donors. I think the A500 would be a better choice for the intent of the car, vs an A518. The 518 is longer and the driveshaft would be 6" long in a Gremmie....lol. It's great that your wife is interested in the car. My wife likes old cars too, so that makes life easier. Good luck with the project.

 

[67Dart273]

I'm sure the biggest issue is clearing the floor, some work there may be required, as is for putting a Mopar OD in an A body

Transgo has an all manual VB kit for those trans, if you get an electronic one, so that would eliminate the shifting electronics.

For all of them, hydraulic or electronic, the converter lockup and OD is 3 pins. You feed 12V to I think the center pin, and then grounding the other two gives you the converter lock and OD shift.