Transmission swap

[PTCJ7]

my SR4 piece of junk tranny gave out and am looking to replace on my '81 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6 CJ. Thinking T-176 or T-18 . Anyone out there with some suggestions/thoughts? Whats my best bet to find a T176 or T18? Tks.

 

[BusaDave9]

T-176 or T-18 are both good choices. The T176 is a medium duty tranny but it can handle a V8. They came on CJs and for that reason it would be an easy swap. The only issue would be the drive shafts. The rear would need to be shortened and the front would need to be lengthened .
The T18 is a heavy duty truck Transmission . I used to have a CJ7 that I put a Ford T18 into. I had to put a new main (output) shaft into the T18 to mate it to the Dana 300 . I used a kit from Advanced Adapters but Novak sells one too.
I was taking out a T-5 and the Ford T18 mated up to my bellhousing. I only had to drill and tap holes.
If you decide to go with a T18 do not get a jeep T18. They all came with Dana 20 TCases. Getting one of those to work would be even more trouble.

 

[Tommy]

I swapped a T-15 three speed for the T-18 in my '81 CJ5 . Make sure you get the granny low if you go with the T18. Mine was out of a J10 pickup. I had to put in a short shaft, kits mentioned above, and there is an adapter plate that you need if you marry it to a Dana 20 xfer case. Because of the size difference, I had to lengthen the front drive shaft and shorten the rear one. The skid plate/Transmission mount also had to be slid back to accommodate the extra length of the transmission and adapter plate. I found my T18 and Dana 20 as a unit on EBay for $375. By the time I got done with the project it cost me about $750 including the short shaft kit, new drive shafts and other misc parts. Best mod I can think of for my CJ and I would do it again. Took it over the Rubicon two months later and it made all the difference in the world having that granny low. Good luck.

Tommy

 

[PTCJ7]

Yes looking at T-18 from Novak wth required adapters, driveshaft mod etc...wish I could match what you found on ebay but have not been getting anywhere wth EBAY, Craigslist...Probably end up costing me $1 200 but I'm thinking its the last tranny mod I do on my '81 CJ.