Convering to automatic??

Just wondering if anyone has converted the stick to automatic ? And how much trouble it might bet to use a full length 904 / with the modern drive shaft? Is it possible to use the dash cable shifter/ and convert it to the linkage lever at the trans ? just asking

1ST is it a100 or 108  on the a100 there is not a lot of room for the long tail shaft . but yes it has been done the the auto tranny mount from a 70 /b van line it up with the cross  member on the frame . drill out the frame and weld in a stiffener pipe in the frame so it doesn't crush, you will have to add a tranny cooler or a new rad, the shift cable is aval, but not cheap. my 1st attempt I thied cheap spent $50.00 on a shift cable, and now that just hangs in my garage. then spent about $200.00 and bought the one i should have bought in the 1st place, now it works perfect. but there is some adjustusting and playing around to get it right...

sounds like life will be better/cheaper if I find an automatic van to start with.

try looking here. http://www.adhuntr.com/2012/05/all.html?cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&newwindow=1&q=dodge+a100&cx=partner-pub-9413604915893153%3Ao8xsd8d7h7s&btnI=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&as_qdr=a&as_epq=&as_eq=&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adhuntr.com%2F&x=46&y=7#2293

I bought the shifter and cable from ebay. I found the cross member in the junk yard, i used one from a 98 full size dodge van. I used 1/2 pipe through the frame, when installing the through bolts for the cross member. That way the bolts got tight on the pipe and not crush the thin frame/body rail. Used the drive shaft out of a 72 duster along with the tranny.







My cooler now has a fan and scoop on it. Mine is also a 108.

Stoopid john wrote:I bought the shifter and cable from ebay. I found the cross member in the junk yard, i used one from a 98 full size dodge van. I used 1/2 pipe through the frame, when installing the through bolts for the cross member. That way the bolts got tight on the pipe and not crush the thin frame/body rail. Used the drive shaft out of a 72 duster along with the tranny.







My cooler now has a fan and scoop on it. Mine is also a 108.

About how long is your driveshaft ? and with the 90" WB do you think it safe& do able?

From tail shaft seal to center of the yoke is about 35.5". I've never been under a 90" so i don't know.

the a100 would be 18 " shorter

It's hard to say, with it on the ground it should be fine. I'd like to see the angle of things when the suspension is extended with the rear down. I've seen lifted jeeps driving around that have nasty drive line angles and seem to be okay.

Stoopid john wrote:It's hard to say, with it on the ground it should be fine. I'd like to see the angle of things when the suspension is extended with the rear down. I've seen lifted jeeps driving around that have nasty drive line angles and seem to be okay.

Does not sound like a good plan to me with a A100 . Maybe only an 18" driveshaft. Thanks for the info.

the drive shaft length  should not make any differance the angle would, A steep angle will eat up your u-joints

your exhaust is really hanging low what headers are you useing ?
john

They are from a 72 duster, they do hang low but the van is high. The engine runs soo much better with it on that i over look, how it looks. The engine is 10.5:1 with a large cam and 4 barrel, it needed to breath. It didn't fit with the clutch linkage.

it should really get up and go, have you takin it to the track,

on my a100 center of u-joint to center of u-joint is 18", yes i did convert to both u-joints

the conversion can add up, tranny $100. to $200.convertor $100. shifter $50. to $100 cable $100. to $200. tranny cooler $30. to $50. or a rad $250.and lets say $30. to $50. for misc. (kickdown linkage, dipstick & tube. and so on.)

dix wrote:on my a100 center of u-joint to center of u-joint is 18", yes i did convert to both u-joints

Was that 18" length with the short automatic? or the full length (car) automatic ?

stock /shorter trans

dix wrote:the conversion can add up, tranny $100. to $200.convertor $100.  shifter $50. to $100 cable $100. to $200. tranny cooler $30. to $50. or a rad $250.and lets say $30. to $50. for misc. (kickdown linkage, dipstick & tube. and so on.)

Shifting into drive and just stepping on the gas...... priceless