1973 Jeep4000

Area for General NON-Jeep related chat. Topics are typically not moderated, but must fall within the Use Guidelines.
Post Reply

Topic author
Roger
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:10 pm

1973 Jeep4000

Post by Roger »

i have a 1973 Jeep4000 camper version looking to upgrade front axel to disk its an 8 lug i would also need to do an upgrade on the instrument cluster
also can some one help me decipher Tag Date: MAR.1973 GWR 8000 GAWR: FRT 3650 REAR 5250 VIN J3A482ZN46945
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by Stuka »

Welcome to the forum.

There is a vin decoder for you to use here: https://oljeep.com/gw/vin-index.html

To upgrade the axles, you have a few options. But none of them will bolt in for a 73. I assume your current truck is 8 lug based off the GVWR, so you just want an open knuckle front with disc brakes.

The most easy axle to find will be a GM D44 HD. It won't bolt in, you will have to weld on spring perches if you want to keep your post mount front springs. You can also opt for a D60 front if you are going to be going with much larger tires and want the extra strength.

What are your plans for the truck?
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

fulsizjeep
Moderator
Posts: 5012
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:21 am
Location: Fruitville, FL
Contact:

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by fulsizjeep »

Probably the easiest way to go 8 lug disk brakes is get a 74-79 J20 front axle.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac

Topic author
Roger
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:10 pm

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by Roger »

thanks, guys I am looking to keep it factory including paint it's going to need some love it has no rust someone added a 2nd tank it all needs to be removed and put back to the original tank I am going to remove the bed and pain the frame
User avatar

fulsizjeep
Moderator
Posts: 5012
Joined: Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:21 am
Location: Fruitville, FL
Contact:

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by fulsizjeep »

Can you share some pictures? The original Camper Specials had 2 tanks.
Flint Boardman
88 GW, 401/727/208, 5" lift, D44s/4.10s/locked up, 35s
https://jubileejeeps.org/quadratrac
User avatar

tgreese
Posts: 7118
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by tgreese »

Has anybody tried to fit a closed-knuckle 8-lug Dana 44 with disks? The 5-lug axles have been done a lot, but I don't recall ever hearing of the 8-lug axle conversions. The 5-lug knuckles are all the same for the closed-knuckle axles, but what about disks for the 8-lug hubs?

What do you want to do to the instrument cluster?
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
User avatar

Stuka
Site Admin
Posts: 11789
Joined: Thu May 12, 2011 5:53 pm
Location: CA
Contact:

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by Stuka »

tgreese wrote: Fri Feb 12, 2021 1:18 pm Has anybody tried to fit a closed-knuckle 8-lug Dana 44 with disks? The 5-lug axles have been done a lot, but I don't recall ever hearing of the 8-lug axle conversions. The 5-lug knuckles are all the same for the closed-knuckle axles, but what about disks for the 8-lug hubs?

What do you want to do to the instrument cluster?
I think this isn't done much because Ford and GM switched to open knuckles much earlier than Jeep did. And when they did used closed knuckles, they were drums.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
User avatar

tgreese
Posts: 7118
Joined: Fri Jun 08, 2012 6:31 am
Location: Medford MA USA

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by tgreese »

Surprising to me that no one has mounted the Chevy caliper brackets to the drum brake 8-lug knuckles (which I would guess are the same as the 5-lug knuckles) and used an 8-lug disk on the existing 8-lug hubs. Or possibly re-drilled a 5-lug disk to fit on the 8-lug hub. I wonder if it's because no one has tried, or they tried and could not find a combination of parts that works. I would suspect that the caliper brackets are not the problem.

I'm following up on this because it seems like that's what the OP wants to do. And because I'm curious.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
User avatar

mjdriver
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2018 10:51 am

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by mjdriver »

I used this guy on off eBay for my closed knuckle d44 5 lug disc conversion. He put a nice kit together with everything I needed. I had to clearance the calipers some but that was it. Might be worth a shot messaging him to see if he could do 8 lug.
https://ebay.com/usr/horsepowersales-llc

Sent from my moto e5 cruise using Tapatalk


Topic author
Roger
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:10 pm

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by Roger »

I contacted horsepower sales back in September his response below
Hi Roger, Sorry we do not have or know of anyone who has a kit for a 3/4 ton 8 lug Jeep.
We have them for 1/2 tons only.
Nice truck! Thanks, Dan

Topic author
Roger
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2021 12:10 pm

Re: 1973 Jeep4000

Post by Roger »

would anyone know where I can get a Jeep j4000 oil pressure adapter plate/fitting I have a leak and would like one in hand just in case i snap off the old one
Post Reply