[marshmellow2]

I have a 1983 CJ 5 with a T-176 behind the stock 258. Trans is stuck in gear and needs to be rebuilt. The jeep came with a spare T-5 when I bought it. I want to put the T-5 in until I can figure out what to replace it with. I have the bell housing clutch and flywheel for the T-5. Both of these had the Dana 300 connected to them. My question is will the T-5 go in with little to no mods? I do not want to change the driveshafts or alter the mounts. I know the T-5 has a bad reputation but it is working and I really would like to be using the Jeep until I can afford, find the right T-case tranny combo.

[wm69]

Originally Posted by marshmellow2

I have a 1983 CJ 5 with a T-176 behind the stock 258. Trans is stuck in gear and needs to be rebuilt. The jeep came with a spare T-5 when I bought it. I want to put the T-5 in until I can figure out what to replace it with. I have the bell housing clutch and flywheel for the T-5. Both of these had the Dana 300 connected to them. My question is will the T-5 go in with little to no mods? I do not want to change the driveshafts or alter the mounts. I know the T-5 has a bad reputation but it is working and I really would like to be using the Jeep until I can afford, find the right T-case tranny combo.

You'll need to move the skid plate and you will need to change your driveshaft lengths. You can buy some driveshafts off of ebay fairly cheap for the T4/T5 trannys.

[HackFabrication]

Originally Posted by marshmellow2

I have a 1983 CJ 5 with a T-176 behind the stock 258. Trans is stuck in gear and needs to be rebuilt.

Unless your intent is to keep the T5 transmission, I wouldn't go to all the work to replace the T176 (which is a better unit) with it.

You've got to pull the T176, MAW just get it rebuilt. Most trans shops will charge a flat rate (my T18 was $150) for labor (+ Parts) on a bench rebuild. IMO, the T176 is the best street/trail 4sp trans Jeep put into a CJ. If you ever want lower 'crawl' gears: LoMax 4:1 the D300.

[Happy Joe]

The problem with a T-5 in a CJ5 is the length. if you have much lift at all you may end up with drive shaft angularity/Ujoint problems due to the extremely short rear drive shaft.

I would just pull the top off of the 176 and unjam it then look for a granny low T19 to replace it (or a close ratio T-19 if you want similar but better gearing to the 176, people say the 176 has a 4:1 low but mine measured about 3.8)). The 176 is a good tranny but it isn't really geared low enough for serious off road/weekend warrior use (its main advantage is that it shifts easy (like a car) and can be shifted quickly enough to shift on hills (not recommended) the t-18/19 cannot be shifted as quickly/easily, it is a truck tranny. Also the 176 I had/have ended up getting rebuilt twice so they are not all that heavy duty.
Finding a T-18 with the right output spline & adapter to match a D300 is tricky but they are out there.

Enjoy!