CJ Trans Upgrade

[JacobsCanyon]

I have a stock 1982 CJ5 , (except for the added Howell fuel injection sytem), my 4 speed Transmission is bad and needs rebuilt or replaced. I would like to know if there is a 5 or 6 speed Transmission to replace this 4 speed. From what I read I believe my Transmission to be a T-4 but I am not sure. I am unable to do the work myself and I have a great mechanic but he is not sure about my request. It is tuff driving at highway speed and I want to improve that. I do moderate four wheeling.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

WELCOME
If in fact you have a T-4 in now. The T-5 is a direct bolt in.
Post pictures of the tranny for us to confirm.
IF-you are run'n big tires with the stock 2:73 or 3:31 R&P. That will do more to kill the tranny than jeep'n doez.
For tech info-Call these folks.
The Novak Conversions Transmission Information Gateway

LG

 

[Hedgehog]

I always wonder why we suddenly seem to need all these gears. For a very long time farmers were happy with a good ol' 3 on the tree , I had a stock Malibu with a two speed automatic that went as fast as I ever wanted to go. Over drive would be nice, but 5 or 6 speeds without over drive? After all a CJ isn't a sports car. I guess the modern 6 speed automatics are great though.

 

[82Laredo]

I always wonder why we suddenly seem to need all these gears. For a very long time farmers were happy with a good ol' 3 on the tree , I had a stock Malibu with a two speed automatic that went as fast as I ever wanted to go. Over drive would be nice, but 5 or 6 speeds without over drive? After all a CJ isn't a sports car. I guess the modern 6 speed automatics are great though.

Gears are good! I have a supercharged 93 Z28 M6 making 520 rwhp and it's nice to put it in 6th (2nd OD) on the highway and cruise at low rpm. My first car was a 74 Z28 with a TH350 Transmission (3 speed with a 1:1 final drive ratio) and 3:42 gears and hated revving it out on the highway.

 

[Hedgehog]

Yes they are fun in a sports car ..... a CJ is not a sports car. Most CJs at speed are not exactly stable and are best kept at the more sedate side of highway speeds. With that being said, hey if you can find a big gear box that will fit in a relatively small CJ sized frame go for it, it might be the most fun ever.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I always wonder why we suddenly seem to need all these gears. For a very long time farmers were happy with a good ol' 3 on the tree , I had a stock Malibu with a two speed automatic that went as fast as I ever wanted to go. Over drive would be nice, but 5 or 6 speeds without over drive? After all a CJ isn't a sports car. I guess the modern 6 speed automatics are great though.

Ask anyone that drives a semi-truck about 'gears'.
I use my gears as much for braking as I do for going.
Remember, I have 4:88 R&P and a 4:1 t'case. Gears are good-
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Its getting them in a small enough tough enough package to go in a CJ that is the problem I guess.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

By go'n to the 4:88 R&P and the 4:1 t'case I have take'n allot of torque load of the T-5 .
The T-5 is a pretty small 'box' when compared to other tranny's Jeep has used in our CJ's.

LG

 

[Jimbos76cj]

You can also upgrade to a ax-15 with minimal mods. Depending on the input diameter it could be a direct bolt in so all you have to do is clock the Transfer Case and work out a hydraulic clutch set up.