SM465 Tranny?

Ditto!!!

 

Interesting comments, didn't know there was a RIGHT way to do it. I thought it was about personal preference and what works for each individual.
Let's see, keep the T14 and beat the crap out of the body because I use my Jeep mainly in rocks, or cut up a perfectly good, rust free floor plan after installing an inexpensive, low 1st gear transmission? I guess it all comes down to how you are going to use your Jeep and what the owner of said vehicle wants to do with it.
Just my $.02....

 

There are at least 3 versions of the SM-420 and they haven't been used commonly since 1967. I have to admit the compact size is nice and so is the lower first gear, but because that is right for you doesn't necessarily make it right for someone else. I rebuild manual transmissions for 4 wheel drives and do custom conversions and you won't catch me putting one of those noisy things in my Jeep. I'd much rather sacrifice a slightly lower first gear to put in a more modern, quieter, parts available transmission. Just my opinion. Nickmil

 

It's a T18, smallest package and is the reason Jeep used it instead of a SM420.

 

Your point is well taken. I recently had troubles with my SM420, my Jeeps still down ‘cause of it, and considered switching to an SM465 for the very reason you mention: parts availability. I dropped the idea since it included a lot of other expenses, like another new set of drive shafts, and I finally got some parts through Herm the Overdrive Guy.

Also, just FYI for the SM420 guys, I was surfing Ebay a week or so ago and on one of the stores there a guy found 30 SM420’s in a warehouse he bought that were military surplus and had never been used. He was sell’n them for $1000 a piece, plus shipping. If I can find the link again I’ll post it here.

 

Herm has a lot of parts he stocks as he parts a LOT of tranny's, but when he doesn't have it he gets his parts from the same supplier as I do, one of the largest in the country, and I've had trouble getting correct parts for the sm-420 at different times. Nickmil

 

Well I bought my sm420 because it was available around here. There was a yard close by that actually had about 8 of them all at once, got mine for $75, bought a spare one about 3 months ago without a shifter for $10. The guy had several Ford version t98's, a couple dozen np435's and several sm465's and bunches of t18's out of Ford trucks. Heck he even had a Clark 5 speed.
The sm420 is noisy, it is a very old design and parts are getting harder to find (depending on where you live) but it is a stout transmission, not better than the others but does have a lower 1st gear. Its also a little easier to adapt to the v6 motor, which was my main reason for choosing it. Under the right conditions I would have taken any of the other heavy truck 4 speeds, it just sorta played out the way it did.

 

The SM 420 is short. So it makes a real good choice for a jeep.
And contrary to what I keep seeing in print they are not that scarce.
GM put tons of them in trucks.

Alot of early willys that have been built up, use this tranny and a buick V6. good combo.
BUT. you can do what ever you want on yours and thats half the fun.

How about dropping in a new 5cyl. out of a sonoma??

 

Here it's opposite. Ford 2wd T-18 can be had for about $75 all day (I got a J-truck T-18 with a D20 adapter for $50), even some T-19, while SM420 are non-existent. Aren't any CJ T-18s, but then again, there aren't any CJs, either. Lot of SM465, though, but that 420 is like hens teeth around here. I think McRuff is right on when he says it depends on your locale.

 

Well, I can see this has turned into a Ford, vs. Chev, vs. Dodge type of debate. I wasn't saying the SM-420 wasn't a decent trans, but has its downfalls like anything else including parts availability. Anything that hasn't been built since 1967 and has multiple versions is bound to have issues with parts availability for that particular model and version. Just because it works for one person doesn't mean it's the end all and be all for someone else. As far as availability, in my area 420's are getting scarce and Ford T-18's, 465's, and even 435's are much easier to get in better condition. The noise in the transmission has to do with the angle of the helix of the gears and the types of bearings used. A good condition 465, T-18, etc. will always be quieter than a good condition SM-420 because of those design differences. You simply can't get away from that. Also, not everyone is running headers, Swampers, and 4.56 gears and maybe might like something a little more civilized. By the way, I have more experience than I care to think about with all of these transmissions as I've been modifying them all for different Jeep applications on a professional level for over 10 years and several years before that for friends and not just old transmissions "out of bread trucks". I'm outta here. Happy holidays all. Nickmil

 

Sorry, Steve.

Like I say, I've got a long T90 transmission shaft on hand if you need it.

 

WOW ,In well over a year of being a member of this board this is the first meanspirited thread I have seen. Must be what its like over at pirate( guess that is why I never hang there. Hope this is not a new trend.

 

Thanks Jim.

 

That is what I have always really enjoyed with this forum, the "family" atmosphere. Glad to hear it will continue!