Which tranny?

I have a CJ3A that I will soon be putting a 225 dauntless into. My only concern is which tranny I should use. The Jeep has 4.27 gears and 33" tires which really tax the L-134 when I am taking off. I really have to slip the clutch a lot if I am stopped on a hill.
I don't want to change the gearing because I already have lockers in the front and rear.
I figure that I have 2 options, 1)use the t-14 that is already on the Dauntless or 2) put a Granny low 4 speed in it.(more $$$$ than I want to spend)
I am told that the T-14's low gear is lower than my T-90's so what I am wondering is will the T-14 help me enough that I will be able to take off easily once the V6 is in.
If not, which 4 speed is the best one for the swap.

I will be daily driving, a little trail riding around home, and hope to pull it to Colorado now and then to play in the mountains.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Curtis

 

The V6 should eliminate the lack of power problem your having.

 

I assume that the SM465 will bolt directly to the Dauntless but I will need an adapter to use the D18.
Which adapter do you recommend? Advance or Novak ?
How much longer will this combo be than the T-14 /D-18 combo?

 

The front bearing retainer on the 465 is a large hole, while the t-14 bellhousing is a small hole gm so a little machining is neccessary on the bellhousing I believe. Also double check your input shaft diameter is the same as your clutch disk. I believe Herm can sell you a complete set-up ready to bolt in if you choose to go that route.

 

Right now it has the stock L-134 & T90

 

I think either the T14/T90 with 4.27 gears and 33's will be less than desirable, V6 or not. If a 465 or 420 is not an option, you probably should go to 4.56 or better, 4.88's., Both of these ring and pinion sets should fit your existing lockers and would still cost less than the 4 speed.

 

If I did change to 5.38's what cruising speed can I expect with the V6 and a T14 3 speed? If I can do a constant 55 mph I would be satisfied and the 5.38 should give me a decent crawling speed in 4 low shouldn't they?

 

The 4.88's with an od work very well with the 225. If your use is mainly trail, the 5.38's would be ok, but IMO, are too low for every day use. I do not think you will have any problem doing 55, however. I am sure someone on here will know what your rpm's will be with 33's. My guess would be something just above 3k, depending on the actual diameter of the tires.

 

I have a Buick 231 V-6, 33" tires on 10" wide wheels and 5.38 gears. RPM is between 3200 and 3300 at around 60-65mph. With an overdrive that would drop down about 25%

 

Keep the T90 and 4.88 gears. Add an O'Brian Lo range gear set to your D18. You get your 55 MPH, crawling gears and this,

a nearly flat belly (1-1/2" below rails). Look at the rigs with granny truck 4 spds. Break over angles are lame unless you run 37" or taller tires.
FYI, a T90-c is a short shaft. For connecting any motor other than a Willys flathead you will need a long shaft T90-a and an adaptor.

 

You truly have a tough decision to make. Your final choice must be some form of a compromise.

When W/O installed 4.27 final drive gears into CJ models they simultaneously changed from T90-A to T90-C.
That's 2.798 first gear vs. 3.34 first gear. This alone solves the clutch slip/engage issue regardless of engine power.
So the T90-C has better gearing span plus it compound ranges better than any other Jeep three speed. Period.
About the only drawbacks for the T90-C are its non synchronized first and its somewhat limited strength.
From what I hear D-225 torque is not problem for the T90-C.
If one should opt for a V-8 then the T15 is "the king of the hill". It is above all other three speeds concerning strength.

That said the T90-C gearing span is the best but not as wide as any four speed.
But then again any truck 4 speed is lousy concerning space and weight efficiency.
If tires became so tall that a 4 speed needs low gear on take-off; then that too is a non synchronized start.

The T90-C is the hands down winner for the Hurricane powered Jeeps.
The best transmission for a Dauntless powered CJ is a very tough call indeed.

 

I got like four of the t-90c out back under a tarp. and even more of the t-90a which are dime a dozen and if you break one, easy to replace.

 

I run a T18 and 32" tires in my 3B and my brake over angle is far from lame.
Nice pics, yours is slightly flatter, but only by a little. My t18 only hangs down about 1/2" lower then the stock T-90 setup. on a vehicle with a 80" wheel base that doesn't make much of a difference.


My choices:

1) :v6: T-18 out of a ford truck (I think this is the easiest 4 speed to swap in and the lightest.)

2) :v6: T-14. easy install, sincro 1st gear, and will work good for most things. This should be fine with 4:27's, should be able to cruise around fine.

3) If money was there, choice #1 and swap to 5:38's with an overdrive. I run this in my 3B and love it so much I'm doing it in my cj6 as well. The only diff. is I'm going with a SM465 just to try it out. (but now after doing both swaps, like the t-18 better.)

Good luck!

 

I run a T90 with my F134 but have been thinking about a T98 four speed my buddy has for sale. My CJ 5 had a T98 in it then was switched to a T90. I wanted to get back to the 4 spd. how does it compare to the T90 for speed?
I have not driven the T98 four speed.

 

Thanks ,I wasn't sure about the 1:1 ratio. I still might buy the t98 just to have what was in the old girl anyways. T90 is more fun for me in Ohio

 

Don't forget T98-A will give you a crazy slow reverse gear as in 7.8 to 1 ratio.
It's really overkill behind the Hurricane because its so rock solid and big.
But if you need a super low granny its absolutely the way to go.

Out of all older truck transmissions I vote the T90 as best overall.
The T98-A is second runner up when mated behind the Hurricane.

Behind the V-6 Dauntless I can only speculate.
But am inclined to vote wide ratio Jeep T-18 as best. (modified lenght maindrive gear and Jeep D18/D20 cast iron adapter)
T15 three speed is my second runner up. (again modified maindrive gear) No need to adapt to the D18.

 

Thanks Old Time,
Your right the T98 is alot bigger and heavier. That is alot to give up for the same 1:1 and running 31's my max is 50 down hill in a tail wind I am happy with that. But for the price I can't get hurt to bad, $300 for a F134/T98 and T18 transfer case, even if they need reworked.
Al