Advice on picking a transmission

[FiNorman]

So we are working on narrowing down our drive train, and we have started to consider getting a AmC 360 for $AMC 150 and little by little working on it to possibly drop it in in the future.
After reading a bunch of threads and material on the net with articles like Busa http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/manual-cj-transmissions-12112/#post97088 and Jeeptech.com's Jeep Transmission Page
Airstrikes http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/t18a-right-18484/
I think I know a little more about transmissions, I'm just not sure about how that translates to what we have and our current application.
First we currently have a 1985 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l /T-5 /Dana 300 . The PO told me the T-5 was just rebuilt and it appears to be in a new gear box. We will be running 33's, very little off road, and mostly a daily driver. The vehicle only came with one drive shaft that is 32 and 3/4 inches long (from bottom to the bottom of the U), so I will need to at least get one drive shaft any ways. We are currently doing off frame restoration so everything should be pretty accessible.
Thanks to PetesCJ I got a nice Transmission crossmember which we refurbished. It also has Dana 44 in the rear with disc brakes all around.

So here are our choices.

86 CJ7 T-176 with a Dana 300 for $500... I know a guy that is looking for a Dana 300 that I might be able to part with him to $AMC 150 , so the tran costs me $350, $AMC 150 for the rebuild kit, $250 for the labor, I bolt it up to my Dana 300 , use the same bell housing (I think I have to change to pattern) and eventually I can use the 360 with it. The seller also states he has a matching gm bell housing, I'm not sure if he is referring to those that want to use it on a gm application.

79 cj T-18 with a Dana 20 .... I am told this used to be in a cj, with the wide ratio. I am told it is rebuilt 6 yrs ago, with a new top cover, all shifters but no bell housing. the seller drove it a couple of months then removed it in favor a Dana 300 , let it sit in his garage. He would like around $600.
So I would sell my 300 to my buddy for $AMC 150 , sell my reman T-5 for ? and use this set up.
a. what do I use for bell housing?
b. I loose the Dana 300
c. Maybe not a great daily driver

or

Do I get something different from either like get a ax15, sm420, sm465, nv 3550, from http://www.georgiaprecisiongear.com/Transmission_Pricing.html for about $700-900 reman.
a. what bell housing
b. do I now have to get from Novak an adapted spline shaft ($190) and clocking ring ($170)?
c. the Ax15 is desired to have the external clutch cylinder found in 94-99... is this in the actual Transmission or in the bell housing?


Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated... below are pictures of the T-18 /Dana 20

 

[gp4play]

So we are working on narrowing down our drive train, and we have started to consider getting a AmC 360 for $AMC 150 and little by little working on it to possibly drop it in in the future.
After reading a bunch of threads and material on the net with articles like Busa http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/manual-cj-transmissions-12112/#post97088 and Jeeptech.com's Jeep Transmission Page
Airstrikes http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/t18a-right-18484/
I think I know a little more about transmissions, I'm just not sure about how that translates to what we have and our current application.
First we currently have a 1985 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l /T-5 /Dana 300 . The PO told me the T-5 was just rebuilt and it appears to be in a new gear box. We will be running 33's, very little off road, and mostly a daily driver. The vehicle only came with one drive shaft that is 32 and 3/4 inches long (from bottom to the bottom of the U), so I will need to at least get one drive shaft any ways. We are currently doing off frame restoration so everything should be pretty accessible.
Thanks to PetesCJ I got a nice Transmission crossmember which we refurbished. It also has Dana 44 in the rear with disc brakes all around.

So here are our choices.

T-176 with a Dana 300 for $500... I know a guy that is looking for a Dana 300 that I might be able to part with him to $AMC 150 , so the tran costs me $350, $AMC 150 for the rebuild kit, $250 for the labor, I bolt it up to my Dana 300 , use the same bell housing (I think I have to change to pattern) and eventually I can use the 360 with it.

79 cj T-18 with a Dana 20 .... I am told this used to be in a cj, with the wide ratio. I am told it is rebuilt 6 yrs ago, with a new top cover, all shifters but no bell housing. the seller drove it a couple of months then removed it in favor a Dana 300 , let it sit in his garage. He would like around $600.
So I would sell my 300 to my buddy for $AMC 150 , sell my reman T-5 for ? and use this set up.
a. what do I use for bell housing?
b. I loose the Dana 300
c. Maybe not a great daily driver

or

Do I get something different from either like get a ax15, sm420, sm465, nv 3550, from http://www.georgiaprecisiongear.com/Transmission_Pricing.html for about $700-900 reman.
a. what bell housing
b. am I going to need a novak adapter
c. the Ax15 is desired to have the external clutch cylinder found in 94-99... is this in the actual Transmission or in the bell housing?

Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated... below are pictures of the T-18 /Dana 20

If it was me, since it is to be a DD, I would run the T-5 -Dana 300 . If your planning on the 360 later then I would be looking for a auto Transmission and mate it to your Dana 300 . The T-5 isn't good with a V8, but I would run what ya got and build for later swap, that way you get to play till you have a V8 setup ready.

 

[FiNorman]

If it was me, since it is to be a DD, I would run the T-5 -Dana 300 . If your planning on the 360 later then I would be looking for a auto Transmission and mate it to your Dana 300 . The T-5 isn't good with a V8, but I would run what ya got and build for later swap, that way you get to play till you have a V8 setup ready.

That was a thought then Busa laughed at me, and bet me $1000 bucks that it wouldn't last a week. After I made he bet I scratched my head realizing that he actually did write the authoritative and definitive article on transmissions, so he probably know what he is talking about.... another lost bet.

If I sold the T-5 what do you think I would get for it?

 

[Tin Medic]

The T-5 is not in high demand. Most guys aren't going to buy one unless they have no choice. There are 2 listed locally for 75 & 50 dollars. Not saying you can't sell it, just don't plan on big money.


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[FiNorman]

The T-5 is not in high demand. Most guys aren't going to buy one unless they have no choice. There are 2 listed locally for 75 & 50 dollars. Not saying you can't sell it, just don't plan on big money.


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thanks... its good to know, at least if I use it until it runs into the ground I'm not damaging anything that's worth much.

 

[Tin Medic]

I still have the T-5 in mine while I decide what Transmission to go with.


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[FiNorman]

I still have the T-5 in mine while I decide what Transmission to go with.


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I think his point may have been that the 360 will eat it in a week... but you are right until then it's not a bad idea to use the T-5 ... our project is long term, so we may have the engine done by the time the jeep is ready to hit the road.

 

[gp4play]

thanks... its good to know, at least if I use it until it runs into the ground I'm not damaging anything that's worth much.

Yup, and you can finish your build while you play a little

I still have the T-5 in mine while I decide what Transmission to go with.
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Same with me, it is still pulling my CJ so far but it will have to go someday. I'm looking at a GM Turbo 400 w/205 combo

I think his point may have been that the 360 will eat it in a week... but you are right until then it's not a bad idea to use the T-5 ... our project is long term, so we may have the engine done by the time the jeep is ready to hit the road.

Busa Dave is right, it will not take the power of a V8 for long

 

[mtnwhlr]

The T-5 will be fine behind your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and I would go with a T-176 and 300 behind the 360 since it's mainly a DD.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

I have to agree with MtrWhlr, if this is a DD then stick with the T-176 /Dana 300 combo. It was a factory options so no adaptors needed. The bolt holes on the front of the T-176 are the standard Ford pattern. I’m not positive of the T-5 bolt pattern but I think it is also Ford (I could be wrong) so no bell housing change may be needed. (Others on the Board hopefully will confirm or correct.) As far as the bell housing goes for the future AMC 360 swap all AMC I6 and V8 bell housings have the same motor to housing bolt pattern making them completely interchangeable regardless of engine used.

 

[gp4play]

The T-5 will be fine behind your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and I would go with a T-176 and 300 behind the 360 since it's mainly a DD.

Yup, good combo for the 360 and easy to find.

I have to agree with MtrWhlr, if this is a DD then stick with the T-176 /Dana 300 combo. It was a factory options so no adaptors needed. The bolt holes on the front of the T-176 are the standard Ford pattern. I’m not positive of the T-5 bolt pattern but I think it is also Ford (I could be wrong) so no bell housing change may be needed. (Others on the Board hopefully will confirm or correct.) As far as the bell housing goes for the future AMC 360 swap all AMC I6 and V8 bell housings have the same motor to housing bolt pattern making them completely interchangeable regardless of engine used.

You have to change to change bell housing for the T-176

 

[FiNorman]

I have to agree with MtrWhlr, if this is a DD then stick with the T-176 /Dana 300 combo. It was a factory options so no adaptors needed. The bolt holes on the front of the T-176 are the standard Ford pattern. I’m not positive of the T-5 bolt pattern but I think it is also Ford (I could be wrong) so no bell housing change may be needed. (Others on the Board hopefully will confirm or correct.) As far as the bell housing goes for the future AMC 360 swap all AMC I6 and V8 bell housings have the same motor to housing bolt pattern making them completely interchangeable regardless of engine used.

Thanks for the advice.... I'm just curious though what everyone's opinion is of the ax15. The guy that has helped me locally really seems to be high on them but they seem tough to find.

 

[Tin Medic]

Normally the AX15 isnt to hard to find.


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[FiNorman]

Normally the AX15 isnt to hard to find.


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if it were at T-176 vs ax15 would you still opt for the T-176 ?

 

[Tin Medic]

I would look for the T-176 if it was me. The AX15 is a 5 speed if I recall and the T-176 is a 4 speed but I believe the T-176 is a stronger tranny.


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[FiNorman]

Thanks for the advice fellas.... I got the T-176 and Dana 300 . I cleaned it off, cracked the lid and the gears all look good with the exception of a few that have some superficial corrosion.
I dropped it off at a buddies who will have his Transmission guy take a look to see if it needs to be rebuilt before she gets bolted in.
thanks again for the advice!!!!
anyone want to buy a T-5 ?.... just like an ARVN "never been fired and only dropped once".

 

[Petescj]

I think you made a good choice for your needs. I didnt chime in till now cause everyone else had already pointed you in the right direction. Since your already taking it to a Transmission guy he will be able to tell you if it needs some new synchros or not. Mainshaft bearings are another thing to check over as well. Any Transmission that is 30 years or so old should be gone over.

As for the T-5 pm me a price for the driveshafts and bellhousing. You can hold onto the Transmission itself.

Thanks for the advice fellas.... I got the T-176 and Dana 300 . I cleaned it off, cracked the lid and the gears all look good with the exception of a few that have some superficial corrosion.
I dropped it off at a buddies who will have his Transmission guy take a look to see if it needs to be rebuilt before she gets bolted in.
thanks again for the advice!!!!
anyone want to buy a T-5 ?.... just like an ARVN "never been fired and only dropped once".

 

[FiNorman]

I think you made a good choice for your needs. I didnt chime in till now cause everyone else had already pointed you in the right direction. Since your already taking it to a Transmission guy he will be able to tell you if it needs some new synchros or not. Mainshaft bearings are another thing to check over as well. Any Transmission that is 30 years or so old should be gone over.

As for the T-5 pm me a price for the driveshafts and bellhousing. You can hold onto the Transmission itself.

this may be a silly question, but does the T-5 bell housing need to be from a jeep or could it be from a mustang... if so I might be able help.