T5 early vs late larger countershaft better? Any opinions? haha

[Techlight]

Hey All,

I usually try to refrain from asking T-5 questions since it usually brings responses very similar to questions like "what oil" etc...but here goes anyway

So I've been searching to try and find an answer to my question and I cannot. I was just getting ready to sell an extra T-5 I had laying around and noticed this on Novak's site:

"Later T-4 's and T-5 's have a larger front countershaft bearing. The earlier version is denoted by a "-102" suffix and the later version is denoted by a "-202" suffix".

I didn't figure this out until now and didn't know when I bough it but...The one I bought used is an -01 and the one I took out is an -02. So in short the one I removed has a larger countershaft bearing.

My question is this: is there any more "strength" (haha for a T-5 ) in having a larger countershaft bearing? I know that the -01's came behind 4 cylinders and the -02's came behind 6 cylinders and all eagle models. I'm thinking if there is I am better off with the one I removed and will just hang on to it for that fateful day if it ever comes. But now I'm thinking that it may be sooner since I have the "weaker" (lol) T-5 ? Please chime in, I have Transmission knowledge and no idea if I know what I'm talking about here or not.

I'm sure a lot of you want to post and suggest I ditch any T-5 "when" it blows out...please resist doing so Realistically budget wise I'll probably just keep a T-5 in it for the foreseeable future.

Thanks for all the responses in advance.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

IIRC the gearing was different with the two also.
LG

 

[hole]

Was the larger bearing a manufacturing correction because of early failures or a strength/design difference based on which engine it was put behind? My guess would be to correct an early problem. Hopefully mine is the -202 version and I can get more money for it when I sell it this summer

 

[Techlight]

Makes sense...thanks for the replies. I wish I'd had this info before I bought the other tranny haha.

Anyone wanna chime in on the strength question about the larger countershaft bearing?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The T-5 'strength' issue was from the high R&P gearing used. That put extra torque load on this 'box'.
Then folks would add 33"+ tires, a 'lead' foot and the tranny couldn't handle it.
I have run a T-5 since I bought my Jeep in 1985.
I also run 4:88 R&P with my 33" BFGs.
I don't baby this rig either and the T-5 is still going.
LG

 

[Techlight]

Yeah, makes sense to me. I highly doubt I'd ever break one, I don't really wheel "that" hard.

I was just curious about the different countershaft bearing...if it actually increases the strength or wearability of the Transmission .

 

[Lumpy Grits]

IMO-it was for better load and maybe a 'sourcing' issue.
I have never had an issue replacing bearing by going over to King Bearing in Palmdale.

LG

 

[CJim7]

I had one of the last T-5 's made......and I blew it up 3 times.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I had one of the last T-5 's made......and I blew it up 3 times.

You sure with your driveline, it wasn't suicide
LG

 

[CJim7]

You sure with your driveline, it wasn't suicide
LG

Everytime I lost this tranny was pre-V8. First two times was when I had the 4-banger, the last was with the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l .

Interestingly, given the subject matter of this thread, it was the countershaft that failed one of those times.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

What tranny oil did you use?
What R&P did you have?
What size tires?
LG