Are all T5s the same?

[Turtle71]

Will any of the T5s from a different make and model vehicle work in a CJ?

 

[BusaDave9]

No not all T5s are the same. They made a stronger T-5 called a World Class T-5 . These were found in some mustangs and other 2WD cars. Converting a 2WD T-5 to be used in a Jeep is a big job. The shift mechanism is on the tail-housing so swapping out tail-housing is not so easy. There used to be a kit to replace gears and bearing to rebuild a Jeep T-5 into a WC T-5 but I don't know if such a kit still exists. Even if you could find one I'm not sure it would be worth it. I say upgrade to a better tranny such as a T-176 or T-18 .

 

[PaStomper]

I have the T-5 out of a ford thunderbird (supercoupe). I had to send it to the transmisson shop to get the tail peice and output shaft changed. I did this in 1994 and had all the of the parts on hand. Can't remember what it cost but it took them about a day to swap all the stuff over.

 

[gert]

Hey guys arent the gear ratios tighter on the 2WD T5s?

 

[Turtle71]

I have the T-5 out of a ford thunderbird (supercoupe). I had to send it to the transmisson shop to get the tail peice and output shaft changed. I did this in 1994 and had all the of the parts on hand. Can't remember what it cost but it took them about a day to swap all the stuff over.

Hmmm....The reason I ask is because I may be in the market for a T-5 soon, and noticed there are many from different vehicles that are priced significantly cheaper than ones directly from a Jeep. Anyone have an idea of the costs to convert them to work?

 

[Dan86CJ7]

i have a 86 CJ7 w/ a T-5 and it too is starting to grind downshifting...need to be going real slow...was gonna overhaul but if ican buy a Transmission for same price? are the T-18 and T-176 direct swap outs?

 

[BusaDave9]

i have a 86 CJ7 w/ a T-5 and it too is starting to grind downshifting...need to be going real slow...was gonna overhaul but if ican buy a Transmission for same price? are the T-18 and T-176 direct swap outs?

I had a '82 CJ7 with a T-5 . When it died I put in a T-18 . The T-5 is light duty. Here are your options:

T-176 - Medium duty tranny - This will mate to your Dana 300 TCase. It will not bolt up to your bellhousing. You may be able to drill and tap your bellhousing but I don't know for sure. Worst case you can buy a CJ T-176 bellhousing. Both Drive shaft lengths will need to be modified.

T-18 - Heavy Duty Tranny - If you go this route get a Ford T-18 , NOT a Jeep T-18 . The Jeep T-18 's were always mated to the Dana 20 and to mate it to your Dana 300 will be more trouble than it's worth.
I did this swap with an adapter from Advanced Adapters but Novak has a similar kit. You will not have to modify the drive shafts.
The ford T-18 will mate to your bellhousing but you will have to drill and tap 4 holes.
The kit to mate the Ford T-18 to the Dana 300 will include a main (output) shaft you will need to install in the T-18 .

 

[coldair]

T-18 - Heavy Duty Tranny - If you go this route get a Ford T-18 , NOT a Jeep T-18 . The Jeep T-18 's were always mated to the Dana 20 and to mate it to your Dana 300 will be more trouble than it's worth.
I did this swap with an adapter from Advanced Adapters but Novak has a similar kit. You will not have to modify the drive shafts.
The ford T-18 will mate to your bellhousing but you will have to drill and tap 4 holes.
The kit to mate the Ford T-18 to the Dana 300 will include a main (output) shaft you will need to install in the T-18 .[/QUOTE]

Why not a jeep T-18 ?

 

[BusaDave9]

Why not a jeep T-18 ?

If a Jeep T-18 falls in your lap you might want to keep it. (Figuratively speaking!!!!!)

You will probably need adapters at both ends. The Jeep T-18 's were not standardised. The input shaft will probably be the wrong length. You could get a Jeep CJ T-18 with the bellhousing from a strait 6 to help mate it to your engine. A Jeep T-18 from a FSJ will have an input shaft so long it will have to be replaced.

The Ford T-18 's were standardised and the input shaft will be the correct length for your Jeep bellhousing but you will have to drill and tap 4 holes. I did this swap and put a Ford T-18 into a '82 CJ7 .

The other end will be a bigger problem. The Jeep T-18 was only mated to the Dana 20 TCase. The CJ's of the '80s like yours were mated to the Dana 300 . BIG Difference there.

The Dana 20 expects to have a big gear sticking out the back of the tranny. This whole gear fits inside the Dana 20 .

The Dana 300 TCase expects the tranny to have an output shaft that sticks out the back of the tranny. Only this output shaft fits into the Dana 300 TCase.

Yes you can get adapters to mate the Jeep T-18 to a Dana 300 TCase but it's more trouble. The length will be longer so the drive shafts will need to be modified.
A ford T-18 is much easier.

Edit: for a visual here is a Dana 300 on the right. See how it only needs a shaft sticking into the front to turn it.
On the left is a more like the Dana 20 that all Jeep T18s were mated to. See how a big gear needs to fit into the TCase.

(some of the more experienced jeepers may argue about my picture but it's just for illustration)

 

[coldair]

Thanks for clearing that up Dave I have a jeep T-18 in my 74 CJ5 and love it. Ive been thinking about pulling it out and installing it in my 86 CJ7 i just picked up but think ill pull the T-18 out if my 88 half ton ford.

 

[BusaDave9]

I too have a T-18 . Actually it's the 2nd CJ I've had with a T-18 . I'm with you: I love 'em.
Keep in mind even a Ford 18 swap into an '80s CJ will require an adapter from the tranny to the TCase.

 

[coldair]

I too have a T-18 . Actually it's the 2nd CJ I've had with a T-18 . I'm with you: I love 'em.
Keep in mind even a Ford 18 swap into an '80s CJ will require an adapter from the tranny to the TCase.

Yep I know novak has them. Kind of costly at $519.00 Adapting the T18 & T19 Transmissions to the Jeep Dana 300 Transfer Case

 

[BajaEdition]

thanks Busa for the post on the Dana 20 /Dana 300 and the T-18

on of the hardest things about these old Jeeps is we have a lot of different circumstances we need to keep in mind

I know that there is a lot of stuff that sounds easy, but in reality it involves major changes, and that a lot of us here can specialize in just certain areas. I have never dealt with a Dana 300 except wheeling one and would have been blown away if I had pulled one out and saw what you showed us in that post.
As most guys know here, I can talk forever on the drivetrain of any jeep built before 1972, after that I quickly get into guess range.

I love the old stuff, My dream jeep as of now is to find a 1958 CJ5 and build her to factory spec. It would be my pride and joy to run around in a jeep built in the year I was born. I could probably build it in my sleep, only mods would be the disc brakes and a chain drive clutch linkage, I would even run the old 16 inch skinny rims

 

[BajaEdition]

Turtle, I have been reading up on the T-5 on the novak site and they do not recommend that tranny at all, I think if I were you I would start sourcing another tranny
read here
The Borg-Warner T4 & T5 Jeep Transmissions - Novak Conversions

 

[BusaDave9]

Yes, in my opinion the T-5 (along with it's brother the T-4 ) are the worst trannies to ever go into a CJ.

 

[BajaEdition]

Us early guys think the T-86 was the worse, we swap in a T-14 as quick as we can. They used the T-86 for 3 year, 65 66 and 67 behind the Dauntless Buick 225 V6 till they found out from the public how fast it was eating itself up, it was a natural to use as it shared the T-90 case but it will spit gears on a mild obstacle. The T-14 is much stronger and has a low gear in the 3 range, matched with the 2.48 of the T-18 that gives a low range that matches todays jeeps with the 2.7 np231.

 

[Dan86CJ7]

got a scrap yard buddy...what is the best truck to yank a T-18 from?
Thanks

 

[coldair]

got a scrap yard buddy...what is the best truck to yank a T-18 from?
Thanks

Look for a ford f-AMC 150 to f-250 both those trucks came with them. Not sure of the years i think 1968 to 1989. also look for a 2WD they will be cheaper then a 4x4 one you have to change the tail shaft out of them so eather one will work.