t150

hello everyone, just something im thinking about....whats an average cost to rebuild a t150...im thinking of replacing bearings, snychros, and i think i would need 1st and 2nd gears. (very noisy in 1st and 2nd) or is it better to buy a complete reman? 2nd question is i was told that its better to run a ford 4 speed tranny with granny 1st gear...has anyoned done this? i was told that this is a bolt in job as long as the splines are correct...any info would be appreciated:? :?

 

It is bolt-in on the engine end (the T-150 is a 3-speed Ford transmission), but at the transfer case end you need a $500 adapter. Plus you have to take the transmission apart to install a new mainshaft. Not quite a bolt-in job.

Novak has a T-150 master kit for ca $100 http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/t150_parts.htm If you need gears, it will probably be cheaper to find a good used transmission and rebuild it. There are quite a few of them out there, and they can only be used with the Dana 20, so they aren't that sought after.

Novak says it's a Borg-Warner T-150. Pretty sure that's wrong. AFAIK it was made by Tremac in Mexico under license from Ford, similar to a Ford RAN transmission.

 

The T-150 is easy to rebuild. and MUCH more cost effective to rebuild than to replace with a rebuilt unit. The only rebuilt unit I came across was $500 with a core swap! I rebuilt mine for about $100 in parts. Pick up a Haynes Manual and with some basic tools you can do it in a weekend.

I later picked up 3 T-18's (that's the Ford 4 speed you're refering to). There's Ford and Jeep versions. Actaully, I've heard of about 15 different versions. But I don't know how true that is.

Some differnt versions are 4:1 First gear, 6.32:1 first gear. Early CJ, Late CJ, FSJ V8, FSJ I-6 (same as Early CJ). multiple Ford Versions. Some have Rev. left and up, lefft and down, right and up..... As you can see, many versions. Also, different bellhousing mounting, but that's easily modified to work.

Depending on what you use your jeep for, would be your deciding factor on doing the T-18 or not. Ifyou need a low first gear for climbing, then it can be beneficial. but if you just drive around town, I'd rebuild the T-150. So, what do you use yours for?

 

Not exactly true, but possible. depends on what T-18 he picks up if it's Bolt on to the Bellhousing. Late CJ T-18, Ford T-18, yes. Others, quite possibly no.

And the T-18 did come bolted to a D20, so you can get one, like I did, that will bolt right up to the T-case. One reason I tell people to pick up a Jeep version. FSJ or CJ. Late CJ version being the best for his '77 (assuming he's still stock). there's too many factors to just say yes it will or no it won't.

 

Well, I think you're splitting hairs, since he asked about bolt-in. The Ford transmissions (T-18, T-19, NP435) will bolt up to the existing bellhousing without changes, but will need to be adapted to the transfer case. This is the usual path people take, since these transmissions are easiest to source and require the fewest changes other than the adapter kit.

There are sneaky ways to do a T-18 with junkyard parts, either by combining a Jeep/IH adapter and mainshaft with a Ford T-18 (some drilling and plugging of holes needed) or by using a Ford input shaft and bearing retainer with a T-18 from a Jeep truck, and drilling the T-150 bell. Still not a bolt in.

The T-18 from a 77-79 CJ-5 or CJ-7 would be a bolt in, but they are scarce even in situ and the above routes will likely be easier and cheaper. The close-ratio T-18 from a 72-76 CJ-5 would also be bolt in, but that is a different bell pattern from the T-150, so you'll need the bell, adapter and transmission, and maybe some clutch linkage bits. Plus, the 4.02:1 1st of the close ratio isn't usually what people want when they switch to a T-18.

 

You're absolutely correct in that info.

Just that the main thing I like to point out is that an FSJ T-18 is the best option in my opinion (forgoing the Late model CJ T-18 ). Namely due to the T-case adapter. Like you pointed out $500 for th adapter. So many people go Ford T-18, and I think that's a mistake. why do that and have to fork out and adition $500 for an adpater, and whatever $'s for the bull gear and Output shaft. When instead you ca get a $150 Input shaft, and drill a hole in the bellhousing to fit an FSJ T-18. I think you and I are on the same page, I just read your post a little too exact, and after having been through 3 T-18's that were ALL different, I hate to see people rush out and get the first one, only to find there's one thing differne that throws them a huge curve ball that can be costly.

 

thank you all for the info, after reading your posts, i think ill just stick to rebuilding mt t150