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1973 CJ-5 With 401 V-8

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Kansas Tom, May 16, 2008.

  1. May 16, 2008
    Kansas Tom

    Kansas Tom New Member

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    Do I have anything unusual? This 1973 CJ-5 is equipped with a 401 V-8 with an Edelbrock R4B intake manifold, with a number M 4485729, huge Holley carb and T-15 tranny. It's VIN does not totally compute in that it is JDF835TH24098...think the second digit of VIN should be a number rather than a letter. Were CJ-5 ever equipped from the factory with a 401? Just recently got this little beast and have been getting a few things gathered up on it before I take it for a test run. A friend that drove the unit when it was healthy and in good tune said it was stronger than a wet goat and to be careful with it! Thanks in advance...Tom
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2008
  2. May 16, 2008
    Ricardo77

    Ricardo77 New Member

    Los Angeles
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    Jan 23, 2008
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    Lots of power you got there!! Is the frame box in ??
     
  3. May 16, 2008
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    THe 401 was never offered from the factory in a CJ. There were reportedly some dealers that would swap a crate 401 inplace of a 304 on new jeeps. The swap from any Gen III Amc v8 to any other is really a pretty much bolt in operation that could have been done by any owner in the last 36 years.

    From what I've heard, the 401 can be a handful in a cj, so use careful throttle application, gently...gently... FLOOR IT!

    that is a badazz cj. I'm jealous. My 304 has a lot of power for the small frame, i couldnt imagine having the grunt of the 401.
     
  4. May 16, 2008
    Kansas Tom

    Kansas Tom New Member

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    Guys...Thanks for the prompt response...Is it conceivable that the VIN second digit of D indicates a dealer engine transplant? Tom
     
  5. May 16, 2008
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
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    I'm no help in this. I'm just saying a 401 in a CJ is ubber cool.

    I'm looking for a 401 for my 6.
     
  6. May 16, 2008
    packrat2A

    packrat2A Member

    McAlester, OK
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    I've got a mildly built 360 in my '74, and it was a handful until I got used to it...now I have moist dreams of a 401 transplant...
     
  7. May 17, 2008
    jinpdx

    jinpdx Member

    Caldwell, ID
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    Feb 5, 2008
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    I have a 401 in my 72, lots of fun.
     
  8. May 17, 2008
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    tampering with a VIN would be a felony...
    should be a number instead for the year: 2,3,4,5 etc
     
  9. May 18, 2008
    78304levis

    78304levis 78304levis

    Sedona, AZ.
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    As soon as the 304 became available in the CJs Randall AMC-Jeep in Mesa, AZ. started installing 401s in them when new. They advertised nationally that they kept 50 in stock. I am sure that there were a few other dealers around the country doing it but I never heard of anyone doing it on that scale.
     
  10. Jun 6, 2008
    74CJ5 Renegade

    74CJ5 Renegade Member

    Houston, TX
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    I was thinking Randall AMC as well... any chance the Jeep came from Arizona???
     
  11. Jun 7, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Brian Chuchua in Fullerton CA sold 401 CJs too. I test drove one in 1973.

    Is the VIN you posted from your registration or from the plate under the hood? I'd guess it's a typo on the registration and you actually have J3F835TH24098. Look under the hood at the VIN plate.
     
  12. Jun 7, 2008
    thall

    thall Member

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    Couple of locals here in the 74 era would buy a J-10 pickup and a CJ at the same time. (they had money)

    The J-10 would be equipped with a 401... and it magically changed to the CJ...

    they used the truck for business and CJ for fun.....
     
  13. Apr 16, 2010
    74CJ5 Renegade

    74CJ5 Renegade Member

    Houston, TX
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    Was there any more information on this Jeep? I have been looking to find any evidence of a Randall Engineering 401 Jeep for years and thougth this might be one!
     
  14. Feb 17, 2020
    Greg Gissel

    Greg Gissel New Member

    Longmont Co
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    Tom, I would like to talk to you about that Jeep you have or had, Between my dad and I we are the original owners of the Jeep and we put the 401 engine in it. I’m trying to see if it’s still around.
    Thanks Greg
     
    fhoehle and jpflat2a like this.
  15. Feb 17, 2020
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    He hasn't logged in since 2008.
     
  16. Feb 18, 2020
    Greg Gissel

    Greg Gissel New Member

    Longmont Co
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    yeah I saw that he hasn’t been on here sense then. New to the page and thought that when there was a message that it would send it to your email to let know but I’m guessing it doesn’t. I was hoping to see if it was still around don’t know any other way to find out.
     
    Focker likes this.
  17. Feb 18, 2020
    Greg Gissel

    Greg Gissel New Member

    Longmont Co
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    This is what it looked like when I sold it to a guy in Kansas back in 95.
    F14E2DA3-36A7-4DFB-A96B-90E8845B201E.jpeg B27E0786-ACCB-4B14-9B06-E70E4A8268B9.jpeg AA7CD851-252D-4192-8BD5-BE7E49BE993C.jpeg
     
  18. Feb 18, 2020
    rusty

    rusty Well-Known Member

    norfolk,va
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    That is a good looking Jeep !!
     
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  19. Feb 18, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    The Oakley sticker confirms ‘95. :D
     
    bigjohn, Rich M. and Greg Gissel like this.
  20. Mar 3, 2020
    chevy71super

    chevy71super Member

    California
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    I had a set of Goodyear RT’s on my 75 renegade. (Spare tire in the picture.) Size 13:50 by 31 by 15. Best tire I ever had on it.
     
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