Transmission Help

Does Anyone Know Much About The T-170, It Is The Aluminum 4 Speed Put In The 1980+ Jeeps. Is It Strong Or Reliable Plus Will It Bolt Right Up To An Amc Motor Prefferably A V8 And To A Dana 20. Or What Is This Thing Worth

 

The T-176 (and 177/178 from full-size Jeeps) is the Ford toploader 4 speed built on license by Tremac in Mexico. It has an aluminum case and a top-mounted shifter. There's some information here: http://www.5speeds.com/toploader.html

It's considered a medium-duty transmission - better than the light-duty 4 and 5-speeds (SR-4, T-4, T-5, AX-5) but not really that desirable. If you have a Jeep from that era, the T-176 is good enough to keep and repair, though I wouldn't seek one out to swap. It will stand up to a V8, depending on your driving style. It was available with the 360 in FS Cherokees and Wagoneers in this era, and was ok.

Not worth a lot used. It's fairly easy to abuse, and is known to wear out at high mileage, so you don't really know what the condition of a used transmission is.

Most came with the Dana 300 or a chain-drive New Process case, so no, you generally can't bolt up to a Dana 20.

 

To add to what Timgr already said, these are known for breaking the output shaft where the splines neck down just about flush with the adapter when abused. I've got 2 or 3 at the shop right now like this. The shifter tops are prone to wearing out also and are VERY expensive to replace, in some cases the tops are worth more than the transmission. The reason is the street rod guys take the tops and put them on older 2 wheel drive toploader 4 speeds so they don't have all the side linkage, makes for a cleaner install. That's driven the supply for used stuff way down and the value way up. Nickmil.

 

Thank you you have been most helpful, the reason I bring it up is I just bought an 80 cj-5 and it came with the T-150, and this other one and I never had much luck with my T-150 behind my 304. Plus I liked the idea of the four speed. Should I stick with the four speed, or slap the 3 speed back in.

 

AFAIK the T150 has a much better reputation than the T176 for reliability. Plus, you're going to have to find a different transfer case for the T176.

If it were mine, I wouldn't put too much thought or effort into either. I'd start saving my pennies and scrounging parts for a Ford T18 install, or a T19 if you want a close-ratio transmission, or even a NP435. IIRC that era CJs came with 3.54 or 4.09 axle gearing and a Dana 20, so you'll probably want the granny gear.

Is that what you're asking?

 

Have to agree with Timgr on this. T-150's aren't that strong. They are just a modified Ran 3 speed like used in the '60's 6 cylinder Mustangs. Rarely put behind V-8's, and for a reason. Save your money and install a Borg-Warner T-18 or New Process 435, either of which will bolt right up to your bellhousing and engine. Only thing you MAY have to do is drill and tap a few holes in the bellhousing. You will need modify or move crossmember, modify drive shafts, and trim the tub for the transfer case shifter and trans shifter. You'd have to do these things anyway to install the T-176. Nickmil.

 

Perfect that is exctly what I wanted to know, one more question the ford T-18, how hard is it to et that to bolt in and will the 20 bolt up. Thanx for all the info you guys have been very helpful.