Borg Warner T-5

A friend of mine is selling an 1983 T-5 with a Dana 300 transfer case for 400.00

My question is I have heard don't by the trans it is weak. Other tell it will work fine. I was thinking of putting it behind my 66 Buick V-6 225 odd fire. Will the tranny hold up? I like the first gear 4.00 to 1 but don't want to waste money on something that is guaranteed to break. My engine is stock and will be kept that way. Tires will be 31 and the entire jeep is stock.

Novak said cases stretch under torque. Any advice and input would be appreciated.
Brett

 

The T-5 probably would hold up ok behind a stock 225/231 IF it's in good shape to begin with. The problem is the bearings get worn, the clearances go out of spec, then CRUNCH! It's expensive to rebuild one if even one gear is bad and many parts are no longer made so something to think about. Last one I rebuilt I had a heck of a time getting a 5th speed gear as it was chipped beyond use. Actually had to tear down 3 to get one good gear.... The 300 is a great transfer case but will require an adapter and output shaft conversion to most transmissions. It has a 2.62-1 low range stock and lots of aftermarket support. Another thing is the T-4/T-5 is long and doesn't fit well in an Early CJ. Plus the 300 is a centered output shaft so will require a centered rear axle assembly. Plus the rear output is high (inline with the transmission output shaft) so driveline angles can be an issue. You will need to do some mods to make it bolt up to the Buick motor as the T-5 is basically a Ford transmission case modified to 4 wheel drive. It has an aluminum case that is not easily modified unless using a scattershield or something similar (read $). There are definitely better options out there. If you're looking for an overdrive I'd consider a Warn or ATV Mfg. unit that will bolt right into the PTO port on the back of the 18 and will not effect driveline angles and need little modifications of the vehicle. If looking for a lower first gear then a truck style trans like a T-98, T-18, SM-465, etc. may be a better choice. You can also add the overdrive to the back of the transfer case with these transmissions as well.

 

Sparky
Thanks for your info but I am not building a rock crawler I would like a somewhat close ratio 5 spd with a lower 1st gear than what I have. I have a sm465 in a truck and yeas it is bullet proof and low in first but this rig is more for moderate 4x4 and question is are these trans similar in strength to t-90 or t-15?

Thanks for your input

Brett

 

BTW what is a good price for a Dana 300 is $200 bucks too much?

 

Around here a good used unit brings $250-350 if it has the shifter. Price will vary by condition and how complete it is, whether a short or long rear output, etc. If it has a threaded in speedo driven gear housing it's a short shaft. If the housing is held in by a retainer with one bolt it's a long shaft. Short shaft units can bring $25-50 more as they are about 3/4" or so shorter and slightly stronger. They were only used from '80-'86 so there is a finite amount of them out there.