Hello all,

I currently have a 1990 4Runner with a 302 Ford in it. The transmission I'm running, a T18, is in few words crap. I also had to do a body lift whgich I really dislike to fit this trans. Does anyone out there know of any other transmissions I can fit without having to do a body lift?

thanks.
manuel

 

I think you can run a 3 speed L/C tranny behind a 302. I think AA makes an adapter for it

 

I was looking at the AA catalog, and you can put a NV4500 tranny on to a 302, as well. I'll bet you're going to need a small body lift almost any way you go, though.

 

Moving this one to the fab shop because most of the people who know about engine swaps check this area and there's some fabrication involved.

 

Use A T5 Manual Out Of A Ford Truck Or Mustang, They Are Plentiful And Very Cheap One Used Shouldnt Cost You More Than $300!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I keep hearing that trans is weak. I know it was behind 302s from factory but relativelyt small tires on the road put much much less strain on the trans than 33s off road.

Does any one what the torque rating is on the T5? Would I need a body lift with that trans? I really really can't stress enough how much I would like to get rid of the body lift!

Thanks for the replies!
manuel

 

you are probably going to need the body lift as those components are jsut too large size wise to have ever fit in a stock truck

have you thought about automatics? the c4 is awesome especially if it gets beefed up, the only downside is that you lose overdrive.... its a 3 speed only....

 

auto <gasp> matic?
Sacrelige! Heretic! Poser!

 

I should have know I would find it.

"What you want is a T5 from a V8 car, ideally a Mustang. The 1983-1989 V8 T5's are rated at 265 lb.ft. of torque, while the 90-93 T5's are rated good to 300lb.ft of torque (93 Mustang Cobra T5 is rated for 310 lb.ft.) The difference is in the internal components and also the gearing."

Sooo...I think that eliminates the T5. My engine, which is completely stock, puts out 270HP and I don't actually know how much torque. So, is this too close a margin to use this transmission? I would assume that an off road application would increase the torque load on the trans to a point where its just too close for comfort.

manuel

 

yeah, I'm gonna need that! And I really would much rather stay with a standard transmission....


manuel

 

I really don't think the T5 would handle very well for off-road type stuff. I don't know if you're gonna find a Ford tranny you're gonna like.

 

if you get the world class t-5 it would hold up fine... I had a street driven mustang 5.0 that ran pretty damn quick and I never had any problems out of the trans at all... And I had a friend who had a 5.0 that ran low 11's with a stock world class t-5 and never had any troubles with it... I think you would be fine with the t-5 trans up to about 37" tires. just my .02

 

oh yeah the t-5 from a 4 banger mustang is ok too, it just has a lower 1st and 2nd gear ratio, I dont know what they are off the top of my head

 

Another possible choice is an NP435.

 

The NP435 is an option but not really. I need something with an overdrive. I've looked at the NV4500, and I've actually had that transmission in another truck. Its a great trans but I think I would have to do tunnel modifications to fit it.


manuel

 

if youve got the money to burn look at the richmond 6spd its a sweet setup, and it'll hold up to what ever your gonna throw at it, or alternatively get the t-5 and the alloy gear set. it will hold up to 400+ horses with the alloy gear set in a t-5.. (its what the 5.0 mustang guys do) also check out the temec t-45 im not sure about fitting a 5.0 but it might

 

That sounds promising. I spoke to the tech at ford racing and he said that my crate motor should conservatively be in the 300 ft.lb range. Who makes that alloy gear set? The T56 would be very nice but it can't be 4wheel drive. Or can it?


Thanks.
manuel

 

i think it might be richmond gear that makes the gear set, but go for the world class t-5, I guarentee that you wont break it... it should hold up to what your going to do, if you can find the right tail shaft the t-56, im not sure what they put them into. Look in a ford truck with the 5spd.

 

Are you still talking about the T56? Cause thats a 6 spd....

How do you know the T5 is so tough? Just out of curiosity.


manuel

 

ive owned mustangs (5.0's) and they were pushing about 300+ hp. just dont dive it like a dumb ass and it will work fine. and ive seen super charged, and turbo charged 5.0's with a t-5 at the drag track (when i was into that at bristol) hold up fine. the t-56 i dunno that much about.