Re: Transmission swap
Aren't you lucky to get my first post on this forum....J/K!
I've rebuilt or swapped numerous SR-4/T4/T5 & T-176's in CJ's. T5's were optional in 82 yr to 86. One could also get the T-176 "heavy duty 4 spd" in some of those years as well. The "world-class" is more a description of the upgrades put into the T5 over the period of years built. Late WC models use ATF instead of gear lube and have "paper" syncros instead of straight brass, hence the "car-like" shift feel to them. Really late ones say TREMEC/Borg Warner on them since BW sold Tremec the T-5 design in the 90's. There are variances in the models between Astro Vans, Camaros and Mustangs. The biggest problem is the fact that all of these applications are for two wheel drive only. They also have a pathetic 1st gear made for street cars. It's like 3.36:1 at best instead of 4.06:1 a Jeep needs. You really need to find one from a Jeep for best gearing and fit. Any used in 4WD S10 applications have different dimensions on the input shaft stick-out & spline counts can be different (26 vs 10). I sold a T4 recently from a 4 cylinder CJ-7 & it had a smaller 1" shaft with 14 splines. In short, you should look for a T-5 that came from a Jeep CJ-7 or CJ-8 as late as possible in production with a 6 cyl engine, but it won't be a WC if it's original. Benefits you get are obvious: 4wd TC output BP for a Dana 300, 4.06:1 1st gear, 10 spline 1 1/8" input at about 7 1/2" give or take stickout input shaft, and the best part is it will bolt to your bellhousing without drill or re-tap. Or if you're really lucky, find (a T-5 WC) one that was sold new by Advanced Adapters in the late 90's or early 2000's. These have ALL the upgrades such as Chrmolly gears, paper syncros, larger tapered bearings, counter shaft gears riding on bearings & cast iron front input retainer to handle moderate V8 power (all stuff you want for longevity with a 4 banger). Somewhere I have the exact casting numbers to look for but it really doesn't matter if you get one from as LATE AS POSSIBLE CJ. If it was from Advanced, again it will say Tremec on it and have paint pen marking on the top cover of the original customers name and order number many times clearly readable if you de-grease the outside case. SR-4's are not worth rebuilding in my opinion & were marginal in any 4 cyl Jeep that had larger than 31 inch tires. The T-4 is slightly smaller dimensionally speaking, so you might have to deal with driveshaft issues. Hope this 411 helps you in the quest for O.D. mileage.
Rick W6RE
