T5 vs AX 5 or AX15

[Zax40]

@wuga Why a S-10 T5 and not a Jeep T5? What are the differences?

[wuga]

The Jeep are much harder to find although I prefer the Jeep since it is shorter. Vintage metalworks now makes an adaptor for the Jeep. Kato King used to make a really nice adaptor as well but I don't know if they are still available. Here is my recipe for the Jeep.
Warren

The Easy and Definitive T5 Upgrade in your Model A 4 Banger

This is best done with the body off.
It assumes mechanical brakes are being retained.
A 1982-86 Jeep T5 less the transfer case is being used.

Remove all brake rods.
Remove center cross member by grinding and removing rivets.
Remove e-brake cross shaft.
Remove e-brake handle.
Remove brake cross shaft.
Unbolt rear spring
Remove clam shell
Slide rearend assembly out from under back of car
Stand rearend on jack stands with torque tube vertical
Remove axles. A good puller needed. Mitchell sells one.
Remove radius rods from backing plates and torque tube
Remove speedometer housing
Remove torque tube
Remove speedo gear and bearing from front of torque tube
Remove transmission
Remove clutch and flywheel
Cut torque tube approximately 7” from rear flange
Remove 6.5” from front half of tube
Machine back ½” of front tube to fit in back portion of tube
Be sure to keep proper alignment of radius rod mount and flange bolts.
A total of 7” of length now removed from tube. Weld tube.
Remove driveshaft and pinion gear from banjo using Mitchell pinion puller.
Remove 7” from rear of driveshaft about 7” ahead of pinion gear.
Align drive shaft pieces and weld.
Install pinion gear back into banjo using Mitchell installer tool.
Install torque tube over driveshaft and bolt to banjo.
Install new front bearing in torque tube and reinstall speedo gear.
Install speedometer housing.
Install new pilot bearing in flywheel.
Install ring gear on flywheel.
Install Burtz 30 lb. flywheel, torque to 55 lbs.
Install V8 clutch using disk from Vintage Precision.
Torque clutch bolts to 25 lbs.
Install Vintage Precision bell housing,
Machine T5 input shaft as per instructions from Vintage Precision.
Cut out rear mount from transmission.
With Jeep T5 complete less transfer case, install to bell housing.
Install Kato King adaptor to tail of T5.
Install front half of clam shell
Install rearend assembly back into universal joint.
Install split part of clam shell.
Clamp in rear spring.
Weld 1/8” plate on ends of cross member.
Install cross member 2.625” rearward of original position.
Drill six 5/16” holes in frame and on each end of cross member.
Cut center from brake cross shaft and modify as per diagram.
It is imperative to keep the ends of the shaft where the bearing goes in alignment, I had three tries before I got it right. Perhaps mounting it to the frame before welding might help. I did not do this.
Remount brake cross shaft. One bolt will be under cross member.
Remove pin from e-brake shaft actuator, move actuator 4” to passenger side and weld.
Mount e-brake cross shaft.
Make mounting plate for e-brake handle as per diagram.
Mount e-brake plate and handle to T5.
Mount pedals to Vintage Precision pedal shaft.
Re-install brake rods
Be sure to check all fluids and grease fittings.

Parts highly recommended to upgrade Model A transmission to T5

Mitchell pinion puller/installer
https://mitchelloverdrives.com/mitch...on-puller-kit/
Mitchell hub puller
https://mitchelloverdrives.com/mitchell-hub-puller/
Burtz lightened flywheel
https://burtzblock.com/products/flywheels
Vintage Precision bell housing
http://www.vintageprecision.com/prod...ngs/index.html
Vintage Precision 9” clutch disk
V8 clutch pressure plate from speedway
Kato King Jeep to closed driveshaft adaptor (507-382-9415)
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...apter.1002913/
Jeep 1982-86 T5 transmission. (Shortest T5)
The Borg Warner T5 transmissions were standard shift five-speed transmissions found in 1982 to 1986 Jeep CJ models.

I posted this on the HAMB with pictures and drawings for reference.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...#post-14769385

[Bruce of MN]

Thanks, that is very comprehensive.

[Zax40]

It's a little surprising to me that S-10 4WD T5s are easier to find than Jeep CJ T5s. Maybe 4WD S-10s are more common in other parts of the country than where I live. Jeep CJ owners view the T5 as weak and will often swap them out.

[wuga]

The T5 has its' limitations, especially in a rock crawler Jeep or high horse power S10, but behind a 4 cylinder banger, you will never hurt it. The main reason for putting a T5 in is for the O/D and the ability to cruise. Installing a 3 or 4 speed gives you no better cruising speed although you get synchronizers.
Warren

[ThosD]

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The fourth gear in an F150 trans is an OD

[GeneBob]

I have found that the S10 T-5's and the Ford T-170's are becoming rare. Is there another option that has popped up in the mean-time? Or does anyone have a good source for these? If you say the local junkyard, you haven't tried looking.

[denis4x4]

I installed a T-5 23 years ago and when I installed a new motor, there were some issues with the original kit. I was able to find seals and an adapter to go back to using the Model A clutch disc and throw out bearing. The original kit was from Auto Restoration. Rather than screw around, I bought a brand new S-10 T-5 from the dealer for $1100. Same thing from Tremic is around $3K. We also made a bolt on reinforcement piece BEFORE we cut the cross member and reinforced the rear wish bones. Thousands of miles with no issues in 23 years and would do it again in a heartbeat.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by denis4x4

I installed a T-5 23 years ago and when I installed a new motor, there were some issues with the original kit. I was able to find seals and an adapter to go back to using the Model A clutch disc and throw out bearing. The original kit was from Auto Restoration. Rather than screw around, I bought a brand new S-10 T-5 from the dealer for $1100. Same thing from Tremic is around $3K. We also made a bolt on reinforcement piece BEFORE we cut the cross member and reinforced the rear wish bones. Thousands of miles with no issues in 23 years and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I see a kit advertised that looks interesting in The Restorer using a "Spine Adaptor" to use a stock type Model A Disk with a T-5 input shaft.

[wuga]

So am I. If you have the Mitchell puller for the drive shaft, you don't need to remove the axles and I never did. Must have been a brain fart. I will review and revise.
Thanks
Warren