Here is what I think I have in my recently aquired 76 CJ7. I know it's an AMC 258, and I'm prety sure I have a T150 3 speed, Dana model 20 transfer case, AMC 20 rear, and model 30 (brand?) front axle. Now, this is severly underpowered for my liking. Also, is there any way to tell axle ratios without actually removing the covers? Are there tags or anything that carry this info?

Here is what I'm thinking about based on some research. I have a 5.0 roller engine out of a Mustang, with complete wiring harness, etc. I also have a McLeod scattershield which will bolt to both a T5 and a Tremec trans, and a somewhat stock T5. From looking through the Quadratech catalog, they apparently sell T5's which will bolt to a Dana model 300 transfer case. From looking at my trans, and the T5 picture in the Quadratech catalog, it seems like all I would need to make my T5 fit a model 300 is the tailshaft housing, correct output shaft, shifter, and internal rail.

My questions would be:

1) What Jeeps came from the factory with a T5 transmission from which I could scavenge the required T5 parts?

2) Has anyone reliably used a T5 for offroading, etc?

3) Is anyone familiar with Tremec transmissions, and does anyone make an adapter similar to the T5 transfer case tailshaft for a Tremec 3550, TKO, or TKO plus? The T5 is rated to 300 ft-lbs (and I've had good luck with them in Mustangs), while the TKO plus has been proven to take around 600 ft-lbs in Mustangs.

4) Is the T150 stronger or weaker than a T5?

I'm thinking I could swap my drivetrain over to a 5.0, 5 speed, model 300 relatively easily. All I would need is the transfer case, a heavy flywheel, a sacrificial T5 from which to scavenge the output shaft and tailshaft, and motor and trans mounts.

Thanks.

I have run the T-150 behind well built 360's in 2 different CJ-5's one with 42's and the other with 44's .With a fresh rebuild (replace the synchronizers) You shouldnt have any problems...I didnt.You will not have granny low or overdrive thats the only bad thing i know of.Now ,to the best of my knowledge........
1.1980-86 CJ's
2.I doubt it...I have had bad luck w/T-5's
3.Mustangs use world class T-5's I believe
4.stronger

They are weak even the WC. Plus they do not re-build well, kind of a one time use trans.

Just my experence....

I blew up my T150 twice behind a built 304, stripped a lot of teeth off to the main shaft gears, but I have no experence with T5's.

I now run a T18a (behind a stock 258) with no problems... yet.....

Good luck.

Also, since you have just got this CJ, I would remove the diff covers and check the gearing. You should do this anyway to change the fluid and check for metal pieces in the oil.

They are weak even the WC. Plus they do not re-build well, kind of a one time use trans.

I agree, the T5 is pretty weak, even the WC, but what on earth could the above statement mean. Any trans is rebuildable, I rebuilt a T5 a couple years ago with no problem. If you say that, then you say it about all manual trans, that is a truly ridiculous statement.

Jared, I would say yes you could do it, but I don't know how well it would hold up. The Mustang WC T-5 is a lot stronger than the NWC Jeep T-5, but it has a higher first gear so it's not really a great choice for a Jeep even if it would hold up. I've never heard of an adapter for the tremec, but again it's not really an ideal tranny for the same reason. If you already had the right transfercase and both of the T-5 trannys I would say go for it. Since you don't, I would look at getting something like a T-18. Chances are your gear ratio is already plenty high so you don't need an overdrive. Find yourself one out of a Jeep J-10 and swap in a Ford input shaft and use Ford truck bellhousing. It will bolt up to your transfercase and give you a great first gear.

Originally posted by landuseorc


I agree, the T5 is pretty weak, even the WC, but what on earth could the above statement mean. Any trans is rebuildable, I rebuilt a T5 a couple years ago with no problem. If you say that, then you say it about all manual trans, that is a truly ridiculous statement.

It sounds odd but I swear it is true. I have rebuilt my SM465 and other manuals with no problems. Every T5 I have ever seen rebuilt has spit gears in less time then it took the first time.

I thought it was me and my friends till I started work at a trans shop...the owner told me they don;t rebuild well. Plus all of the 'stang guys by me never rebuild them they just buy new ones for that same reason.

I've had good luck with my "world class" T5 to date. It was in a car that makes about 500 hp and 540 ft-lbs torque, and is raced on slicks. I haven't broken the newer T5, but I have broken several of the earlier versions. Also, this is to be taken with a grain of salt, because the car only went 1/4 mile at a time, and it had a slipper clutch, and it was really light.

I never even considered the first gear ratio. A 2.95:1 would be pretty high. I guess I'll pass on the T5 swap unless I find all the required parts for virtually free.

I'll look into a T18 and maybe I'll look into an automatic also.

Also, what is the NV4500? Four speed, five speed, what trucks is it out of?

Thanks.

I haven't had fooled with a T5 for several years. For a while a friend and I where blowing them up in his daily driven '84 camaro with a 454....very much fun. He smoked so many T5s he finally did a TH400 conversion.

The NV4500 is a killer choice if you want to spend the money. they came out of Dodge and Chevy trucks. Early Chevy ones had a slightly lower 1st then the dodge and later Chevy. You can switch around inputs and outputs to make swapping the easier.

T-18s came in everything...I don;t know the specifics.

Another good manual choice is the SM465 or SM420 out of older GM trucks...bullet proof 4 speeds withj low firsts. NP435 come out of fords, I think and are real good but I swear I saw one in a Chevy step van once.

NV4500 is a 5 speed. It's got a granny low and an OD 5th so you get the best of both worlds. It's a costly option though. The trans itself will probably cost $2K. It was never mated to the 5.0 or any right hand drop transfercase so it's going to require adapters front and rear.

The other 4 speeds DUG mentioned are also good choices, but they will require aftermarket adapter to fit your transfercase. The SM465 and SM420 won't bolt up to the 5.0 either, though it probobly wouldn't be too difficult to adapt. The T-18 swap can all be done with junkyard parts and no aftermarket adapters. That's why I suggested it.

Unless you never go in the dirt, get on the gas, or run anything bigger then a stock 6 cyl., stay away from the T-5. I have trashed several, have tried different bearings, ATF, 90w gear oil, 10w syn oil, still went bang. Did the NV-4500 from JB Conversions, they give you a NEW trany, not a rebuilt, and now have one less thing to worry about. Oh, T-5's do suck to rebuild, a couple thousands out of spec and you just made some gears toothless.

Originally posted by Grandpa Jeep
The other 4 speeds DUG mentioned are also good choices, but they will require aftermarket adapter to fit your transfercase. The SM465 and SM420 won't bolt up to the 5.0 either, though it probobly wouldn't be too difficult to adapt. The T-18 swap can all be done with junkyard parts and no aftermarket adapters. That's why I suggested it.

hmmm.....note to self, read the whole thing and you can give *usefull* info.

I forget what way it is easy to adapt...Ford motor to Chevy trans or vise-versa. The one with the longer input shaft is easier to put behind the others motor because it just requires a spacer in the bellhousing.