Ready to swap to my T176, what to look for in my choices?

Bard · 11-29-2006, 07:20 PM

Hi all, I am ready to ditch the T4/300 and do my swap to the T176/300, just getting into the final stages. Here is the issue, I have 2 parts Jeeps with T176's. Both are out and covers off, split from the transfer cases, bells off, etc. I thought one was blown or it was the transfer case, but they both seem to be all intact and nothing seems to loose or gears seem chewed up, don't get what went wrong with it, but I had to ride the clutch to get it home after I locked the hubs and put it in 4L since it wasn't going uphill anymore in 2WD, So, I think I am going to use the other one, which was in a head on accident which had enough force to break the front shaft output cover in the front of the tranny (4 bolts but snapped at the base of the shaft) and the adapter plate was cracked all over. Everything seems tight and nothing major seems lose. I think I can just replace the input shaft cover and adapter plate and RVT it for a gasket. How much play can I allow in the front shaft and since I am already there, what is a good idea to replace? seals, etc? I really don't want to spend a ton right now to rebuild it with the holidays coming up and just get it up and running. I could wait and rebuild the other one next year, but you guys have been there and have been great in advice. Thanks

**John Strenk** · 11-30-2006, 05:35 AM

If you havn't checked see if one of those trannys are a T-177. IT has a better first gear.

I don't think I would use the one that was in an accident hard enough to break the case. Front output shaft?? what's that? Clutch shaft cover?

Bard · 11-30-2006, 05:49 AM

I think they are both the T176 from the numbers and they were both 86's. Yes, clutch shaft cover. You have a point, it may have bent the shaft and I can't see it. Maybe I should just wait and rebuild the other one. Any idea where to get a rebuild kit and is this something I can do myself? I can rebuild a motor, just need to know what tools and get a diagram. Maybe Santa will be nice to me this year...

**John Strenk** · 11-30-2006, 08:21 AM

The only special tool I ended up purchasing was a snap ring pliers. Not your usual Sears snap ring pliers with replaceable tips but one desiged to remove the huge snap rings on trannies.

I made some other tools out of a some plactic PVC pipe and some conduit to hold the bearings in place when you put the assembly back together. A bearing puller would of be nice but I had a work around for that also.

I have a PDF file of the rebuild. I bought my rebuild kit from 4WD Hardware. I also have a ton of pictures of the process. I just never had time to put it all together in a web page.

biozombie · 12-01-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bard

... don't get what went wrong with it, but I had to ride the clutch to get it home after I locked the hubs and put it in 4L since it wasn't going uphill anymore in 2WD ...

That probably didnt have anything to do with your transmission, it sounds like a stripped 2-piece rear axleshaft which is pretty common. I had to get mine home the same way when my rear axles broke.

Bard · 12-01-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biozombie

That probably didnt have anything to do with your transmission, it sounds like a stripped 2-piece rear axleshaft which is pretty common. I had to get mine home the same way when my rear axles broke.

One could only wish this was the case, this had a Dana 44 in the rear and it is solid and still works great.

Thanks John, I will look into rebuilding one of them.

**BESRK** · 12-01-2006, 05:14 PM

Sure the clutch wasn't just slipping? Able to grab in 4lo but not 2hi...

Bard · 12-01-2006, 05:59 PM

You do have a very good point, I had just drove it home 120 miles on the front drive shaft, hooked up the rear and went up the mountain with it. I guess I can put it in and try it. I haven't pull the clutch off yet, but might be worth it to see it. I do have a few option in the interm, the T18A I got, but want to be able to run down the highway and be able to at least do 70 with and from what I have read up on, it will dog with a 258.
I could scrap the whole idea and go strip my 87 GMC 2500 and go back to a 350FI, T400 and 208. Decisions decisions, is there a full moon coming?????
I hate multi-choice questions...............