tranny question

[rubherchicken]

ok, trying to figure out what tranny i am going to run in my 81 cj5. here are my stats/ or what they will be once i get started.

81 cj5
rear dana 60 full width lockjed or spooled
front corp 10 bolt full width locked or limited- maybe ox locker
wb streched about 10 back
chevy 3/4 ton steering box

jsut the basics, so i will be running in the dunes quite a bit thinking about running 4:56 gears and 33 or 35/s leanjing towards 35's. i am leaning towards the th 350 with the dana 300 i have. auto sounds nice and easy. my friends have both and they say its jsut personal pref. i know that a manual transmission will be better for a cj 5 even though its been streched. ( due to chassis length.) any and all of your suggestions and comments will be helpfull.. pros and cons as you see it ect.... also if you suggest a tgranny, can you please include any adapters that i will need to get.. thank you very much

[motomac3]

Originally Posted by rubherchicken

ok, trying to figure out what tranny i am going to run in my 81 cj5. here are my stats/ or what they will be once i get started.

81 cj5
rear dana 60 full width lockjed or spooled
front corp 10 bolt full width locked or limited- maybe ox locker
wb streched about 10 back
chevy 3/4 ton steering box

jsut the basics, so i will be running in the dunes quite a bit thinking about running 4:56 gears and 33 or 35/s leanjing towards 35's. i am leaning towards the th 350 with the dana 300 i have. auto sounds nice and easy. my friends have both and they say its jsut personal pref. i know that a manual transmission will be better for a cj 5 even though its been streched. ( due to chassis length.) any and all of your suggestions and comments will be helpfull.. pros and cons as you see it ect.... also if you suggest a tgranny, can you please include any adapters that i will need to get.. thank you very much

well the adapters you will need are very pricey! i checked on some for a th400 i was thinking about installing. over $600 just for the tranny to tcase adapter. around $500 for the motor to tranny adapter. opting to stay with my t18. i love the t18 for a manual. very low 1st gear - 6.32:1. was just thinking of going with auto for the ease of use. check with novak and advanced adapters for pricing.

[Hackfabricaton]

You didn't post the engine you'll be runnng, so if it's the stock 258 I6 consider a TH400 out of a FSJ. Also might be beneficial to get the whole drivetrain: 360/TH400/Dana20 and just swap that in. You posted that it's for dune running, so IMO there's no need for the lower gears in the Dana300. Properly geared axles for your tire size and an auto will work good. And the Dana20 can be modded to lower gearing (3.15:1 with TeraLow).

If you're swapping to Chevy power, then the TH350 should work good for dune running. Stretching the WB 10" will help quite a bit. You also could move the motor forward a bit. Use a 4.3L V6 and you'll have even more room to play with.

Ford power? Get a SBF: 302 or 351W, find a C4 or C6 and get the adapter for the Dana300. The C6 is a heavy duty trans but the C4 should hold up fine.

For strictly running in the dunes (or mud)...I'd go auto. Dunes/mud is stomp and go stuff...