304 no hassle transmission swap

[tahoe]

Ok guys here is what I need: My ‘81 CJ7 has a transplant AMC 304 with the original AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l SR4 tranny. The good is the combination is running fine and my heavy off roading days are way behind me. I realize that sometime in the future the SR4 will out.

My question is what tranmission will be a direct no hassle swap ? T-4 /T-5 or T-176 .

Galveston beach and San Luis Pass are the roughest terrain the CJ will see.

Thanks to all

Steve

 

[shum8]

Ok guys here is what I need: My ‘81 CJ7 has a transplant AMC 304 with the original AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l SR4 tranny. The good is the combination is running fine and my heavy off roading days are way behind me. I realize that sometime in the future the SR4 will out.

My question is what tranmission will be a direct no hassle swap ? T-4 /T-5 or T-176 .

Galveston beach and San Luis Pass are the roughest terrain the CJ will see.

Thanks to all

Steve

Between those two I'd go T-176 . Transmission cover plate and shifter boots will change, and possibly driveshaft length. I'm sure someone here has done that swap and can advise on the shaft lengths.

 

[jp360cj]

Ok guys here is what I need: My ‘81 CJ7 has a transplant AMC 304 with the original AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l SR4 tranny. The good is the combination is running fine and my heavy off roading days are way behind me. I realize that sometime in the future the SR4 will out.

My question is what tranmission will be a direct no hassle swap ? T-4 /T-5 or T-176 .

Galveston beach and San Luis Pass are the roughest terrain the CJ will see.

Thanks to all

Steve

A T-4 /T-5 would be a direct swap, but no strength increase over your SR4 . IMO, it would be a waste of time and money.

I would go with a T-176 . It's plenty strong for the AMC 304 (Jeep put them behind the 304s in the 80s). It's pretty much a direct swap, with the exception of the tunnel cover and driveshafts. But since it was stock in CJ7s, you can probably find cheap OEM driveshafts, and they may even come with the Transmission .

 

[tahoe]

Thanks for the replies. I have found all three here in Houston. All rebuilt with 12 month warranty. All are $1050.00

 

[Colorado Yeti]

T-4 or T-5 is the easiest, as it is practically a bolt-in swap. You can find "world class" T-5 trannies , which can handle more horsepower and you would get an Overdrive to boot. However, a good T-176 is a much better tranny and will live longer behind a V-8, but will take a lot more work to install. If you are going to go to that much trouble, just get a T-18 or T-19 and forget the other 3.

 

[mtnwhlr]

You can find "world class" T-5 trannies , which can handle more horsepower and you would get an Overdrive to boot.

My understanding is this is a Ford Transmission the ones that came in the Jeeps is different and one of the weakest ever used in a Jeep.

 

[tahoe]

I like the 176 idea for the longevity issues. Howver I have a question. With just street driving, to amd from work and the occasional beach fun how long do any of yall think the SR4 will last. I know it almost fortune telling but it is running well. I ask to gauge how vigorous I need to get on the T-176 upgrade.

 

[shum8]

On road driving wouldn’t stress it too bad unless you like to drag race from light to light LOL. But the occasional beach fun could. Driving on wet sand isn’t that big of a deal, but dry sand will add a lot of strain on the driveline. If you are running OEM tire size and go easy in the dry stuff you’d be on - but with factory gearing and larger tires combined with the AMC 304 , that SR4 ’s gonna get grumpy. Since it’s running fine now, go easy in the sand, and once you have everything gathered for the swap, then do it. I don’t think it’s gotta be done ASSP.


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[tahoe]

shum, thanks !!!!!