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Transmission Options For 225 V6

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by ColtSteel, Nov 29, 2022.

  1. ColtSteel

    ColtSteel New Member

    Good morning. Been searching around here for a bit and I'm not finding exactly what I'm after.

    I'm helping my dad get his '68 CJ5 on the road. It has the 225 V6 and a T14a trans. I believe its a Dana 300 transfer case but I'm not 100% on that. Just saw the Dana stamp and what looked like a 300.

    Here's my question... What transmissions bolt in with no or minimal effort? My dad has no problem buying adapters from Advanced Adapter as long as the end result works. He would really like a 4 or 5 speed trans if we're upgrading. From what I've seen nothing will just bolt in easily. Now to me? We fix the T14 and run it. The larger gears inside are chipped though and I'm sure it wont be a cheap rebuild. We don't have and transmission shops close so it's been a pain getting any information. I know absolutely nothing about jeep running gear, so please don't feel bad talking to me like I'm an idiot, because I am in this regard.

    This Jeep was parked for YEARS over a GM power steering upgrade, I really don't want to see it sit another few years over this transmission issue. Oh, and this will be a slow cruiser build. Mostly under 55 mph for short spurts and some light rock crawling. Pretty much a trail rig that can hit the highway between trails. Thank you!
     
    Stakebed likes this.
  2. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    If you want an easy bolt in trans, find another T14. There's several different 4 speed swaps that will work but none are an easy bolt in. Do a search, 4 speed swaps have been discussed a LOT on here.
    Forget about a 5 speed, they are too long for a short wheel base CJ.
    Oh, and your tcase should be a Dana 18 (rear output is offset to the passenger side)
     
    Stakebed likes this.
  3. jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I just did a t14 swap in mine, from a t86. Pretty basic.
     
  4. Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    For my 67 CJ I have a T18 4 speed and a Dana 18 with a Warn overdrive because of the short wheelbase. I'm building a 67 Jeepster so it's getting a AX15 5 speed and a Dana 300. Both have the 225 V6 but the wheelbase is a huge factor.
     
  5. homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

  6. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Pretty much this. No Dana 300 will work behind a T-14 due to the 10 spline output shaft.
     
  7. ColtSteel

    ColtSteel New Member

    Perfect! Thanks everyone for the information. I'm really pushing him to stick with the T14. The 3 speed will work just fine for what he wants to do with it, if he wants to get more into the rock crawling game, Ill be pushing for a whole new motor with fuel injection anyway.
     
  8. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    You can fuel inject the 225…
    There’s a whole thread about different options and what it takes.
     
    Stakebed likes this.
  9. jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    I've found the 14 to be marginal at best, while adequate for DD'ing, it is still the weak link and hard parts are getting difficult to find.
    With the early two piece bellhousings, swaps sans the adapter are easier. I opted for a T18, but other transmissions will work.
    Upgrading the transmission is, IMHO, money better spent than any engine swap/upgrade.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  10. garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Snowshoe had a destroyed t86, I put a T14 in. Now I am gathering parts for a T18 swap.
     
    Ol Fogie and Twin2 like this.
  11. Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

    Bite the bullet and swap in the SM-420, yeah, needs an adapter, but well worth it..
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  12. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

  13. duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Another that would just be sticking with the T14 for this application. That is a way better transmission than a T90 and especially so the T86AA. They will take some abuse. If rock crawling is your thing you can do better with the truck 4 speeds but as noted, NONE are bolt-in. A T14 will stand some moderately difficult wheeling.
     
  14. ColtSteel

    ColtSteel New Member

    This is exactly what I needed everyone. Thank you. I swear I did search but didn't find what I was after, mainly because a lot of the terminology is above me with these trans. I'm hoping to find a used T14 to get us through until we can find a adapter only 4 speed. He's fine with spending the money on adapters but if it requires changing input and output shafts or any other internals, I know it will never happen. The post about understanding 4 speeds was very helpful.
     
  15. jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The most important thing you can do is get it running and driving using what's there currently. Upgrade as needed. Otherwise like you said project will get stalled for who knows how many more years
     
    tomasinator likes this.
  16. cayenne

    cayenne Member

    I completely agree with Jeepstar.
    If your project stalled on a steering swap, it may be better to just put back in the transmission that was there or take/ship it for a rebuild. Herm the overdrive guy and novak used to sell whole transmissions. My sm465 swap was one of the harder projects on my Jeep due to all the peripheral changes that needed to be done. Clicking "add to cart" is alot more fun than the next part of spending many hours on your back under the jeep.
     
  17. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Is there any 4speeds that are adapter only? Maybe a later AMC era T18 that is ready to bolt up to the D18/20 and would only need a front adapter, or bolt directly to BOP bellhousing?

    I've been running a T14 behind the v6 for as long as I've had the cj5, and I feel I do quite a decent amount of good wheeling - the T14 is still there. I realize I am just a single, anecdotal report, but I've got close to 40k on mine since I rebuilt it, running 33s and locked in the rear. The T14 may not be the strongest thing ever built, but behind a 225 v6 its seems good enough if you are not absolutely abusive with it. The biggest issue with the T14 is the lack of a very low range crawling gear (1st is only 3.1). I have 4.88 axle gears and did the 3.15 Tera low gears to get just enough crawl for the rocks. Big plus of the T14 is easy driving - effortless on the street with all gears synchro. I have a truck 4-speed (sm465) in the 58, and its ok, but not as easy on the street.
    Also, if you are looking for something with an overdrive - consider the Warn/Saturn OD that runs off the D18. None of the 4speeds discussed here give you any better highway cruise - they are essentially 3 speeds (1:1 3rd gear) with a granny low.
     
    Ol Fogie, jeepstar and colojeepguy like this.
  18. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Unless you find one already adapted, pretty much any truck speed short enough to work well when adapted will need the mainshaft (output shaft) replaced which means tearing the transmission apart. The new mainshaft comes with the adapter kit. There are ones that don’t require the mainshaft to be replaced but those will be significantly longer, by several inches. When you are talking drivetrain and short wheelbase every inch shorter counts due to driveline length and universal joint angles.
     
  19. SoCalNickG

    SoCalNickG Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    You will find information easier using your favorite search engine (Google, Bing, ....), type in "earlycj5.com" and follow that with phrases like '4 speed swap' or 'T-14 rebuild' there is a TON of info available.
     
  20. tomasinator

    tomasinator Member

    FinoCJ's T14 climbing to the top of a mountain, the hard way. Fireball is in front. ITLKSEZ is over the crest.
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2022
    Bearskin10, FinoCJ, Ol Fogie and 5 others like this.