The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Installing a T-5

I Googled "installing a T-5 in a '55 p/u" and it brought me to the Stovebolt thread by Steve "Fyerman" LeMaster. I don't know when it was posted. I went online plus to my local Jeep dealer looking for the part #s for the input shaft etc. but those #s can't be found... not even by the Jeep dealer. Steve (or anyone else that has done this), if you are reading this, please give us some more info about the input shaft: Year, Model, current part #, etc. Without pulling my trans I assume it is a 1" dia. 10 spline shaft. If at all possible I want to keep my stock clutch assembly and foot starter. If someone knows of a unit or method that will work, please pass it along. Thanks. George C. Photos at www.picturetrail.com/motthollow.

Do you mean you are pulling a T5 Jeep trans to install in a '55 Chevy truck?

Hello George,
I am new to this but I will try here. That article is for changing the input shaft so you can use your 10 spline clutch.
It may be easier for you to use the input shaft on your t5 (14 spline) and just buy a new clutch disc. I recently put my t5 in by using an adapter plate to push the trans back a little so I didn't have to cut the tip of the input shaft. I used my throw out bearing and pressure plate and just bought new disc. You just need to measure the disc diameter. While mine is a 53, I'm sure they are similar. Others will chime in I'm sure to help. Here is some pics of my install.
http://www.fiftee6.com/fiftee3.6/
I'm from NJ to. If I can help you further, just ask. Good luck! You will love it!
I drive mine every day now (daily ride) with a 216... Phil

No, not putting a Jeep trans in my '55.... just the input shaft. Steve (the thread's author) used a T-5 from an S-10, but the S-10 input shaft has 14 splines and a 10 spline shaft is needed to match the '55 clutch assembly. So Steve removed the S-10 input shaft and replaced it with a 10 spline shaft from a Jeep. He had to shorten the splined end by 1/2" and then it fit right in his stock clutch assembly. If you search the Stovebolt forums for Steve's full name you will find his article. I'm going to visit my Jeep dealer again and see if they can research any Jeeps that uses a T-5 transmission. If they can, I'll see if we can zero in on the correct input shaft.

Phil, hopefully your setup should work on mine also. Great photos. If I can find the 10 spline shaft from a Jeep maybe I'll use that as my #2 choice and try your method as #1. I know the engines are different, but does anybody out there know if the 216 and the 235 use the same clutch assembly? I don't want to park my '55 while I drop the trans and measure/search for a replacement 14 spline clutch plate if one like Phil's will work. Phil: can you supply me a mfg. and part # for your replacement clutch disc in case they are the same? Where in NJ are you? I'm in Morris County.

Try these guys. http://www.tbtrans.com/t5_transmission.htm#other_t5_parts

"If at all possible I want to keep my stock clutch assembly and foot starter."

foot starter has nothing at all to do with the clutch, and changing the clutch disc as Phil did, doesn't require changing the 'clutch assembly', so what you want is all possible, without haywiring

the tech tip by Freyerman [not a thread] was his 1st input here, dated Mar 2012, same time he joined on .... it appears you're looking for an obsolete part, Jeep only used the T5 from '83-'86, but you may find one here, "light duty" .... good luck

Bill

Your 235 has larger disc ans flywheel. You will need to measure the disc dia. Here is a link that might help.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/search.html?query=14+spline+disc
My part number won't work for yours. I recenty bought a 235 and it's larger.

Here is adapter I believe you would need.
http://www.hotrodworks.com/catalog/...48-1983-chevy-pu-and-1955-1983-cars.html
Very good product. Mine fit perfect. By using this, you don't have to cut the tip of the input shaft. Keep in mind you will still have to unbolt the sleeve over the shaft and remove some material. I can't remember amount, but the measurments are in my garage. I cut it off by putting a stainless band clamp around it, using a sawzall, then filing it smooth.

Ps.. 45 posts and .I'm still a new guy? Crazy...

To all,
Thanks for the info. Phil: Adapter will cancel need to cut shaft whichever method I use. Nice truck + '56. 14 spline disc from Speedway should work. I compared shop manuals for both my '55 2nd series and also '48-'51. Info and diagrams are exactly the same, but it's still a good idea to pull mine for exact size. Please explain your comment "Keep in mind you will still have to unbolt the sleeve over the shaft and remove some material." Bill: This is the shaft I was looking for. Thanks. Now I have to decide which method I should use. I'll keep you informed of progress. Now to start looking for a used T-5. Made calls around here plus Craig's List but none found. Found some on eBay. I might go for one unless I can locate one around here soon.

Jeep Part Number 1351085008 is available on EBay for $50.00/Free Shipping from NC. EBay ad # 400522750194

This post on another forum may help you also.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265732

I'm in the process of this swap now on my 46.

The original clutch disc measured just under 11"

This clutch from Rock Auto is the exact same diameter but with 1" 14 spline for the S-10 T-5. (SACHS BBD4212)
about $90 shipped....

Hope this might help you. I just trimmed the bearing retainer about 3/4" to make everything as identical as I could to the crash box dimensions. I also used an adapter plate and am ready to prefit the trans to check clutch clearance. (Hopefully tomorrow)

you're doing too much work to put a t-5 in you're truck......i put a t-5 in my 46 1/2 ton and still have my original pedal setup and my footstarter, pm me and i'll put you in the right direction, its not all that hard i did mine on a saturday in my garage by myself, i also have pics too

i put a t-5 in my 46 1/2 ton and a s-10 rear also, I used a clutch setup for a 74 chevy vega but used my original flywheel,i used an adapter from transmissionadapters.com and cut my retainer 3/4 just like you did, mines been up and running just about a year now and cruises on I-95 at 65 with no problems...did I mention my truck still has the original 216 in it? check out my pics

http://s629.photobucket.com/user/kurtdh519/library/

Drew, Phil, Hoozat, others:
Another source for the Jeep input shaft and adapter. Thanks. After reading the JJ threads, I think (usually bad for me to do) a stock '57 trans has a 14 spline input shaft where a '55 uses 10 splines? With a 14 spline clutch disc I shouldn't have to swap out the rest of my clutch setup. I'm learning there is more than one way to skin a cat and install a T-5. That's what street rodding is all about. Thanks.

I think you'll find the 55 and 57 3 speeds are the same, 10 spline

Bill

Here is info I came across as i dug around looking for part#s after reading the same post. Look at vintagejeepparts.com go into on line catalogue and click on transmission headig on rightside of page.select t5 trans for82-86 cj. You will get a parts break down.#9 is input shaft. There are 2 a 10 and 14 spline .10 spline is 83500975 . A good number. Order thru these guys or as I did go to a trans shop with this number and order it.I got one awhile back overnight.have it in the t5 i have, have yet to put in my truck.if you trim the input shaft and brg retainer as posted in thread you have no need for the adapte. I have read a lot of different post on this and held off doing anything because it was way to complicated.one other option I had was to use a 14 spline jeep disc with the oem chev pressure plate and use the t5 as is.have that set up as well havent tried it but it will work.hope this helps.

The swap isn't that difficult and is certainly worth the effort in my opinion. Even with the adaptor plate I had to trim the bearing retainer and the input shaft. Wasn't a big deal at all, just take your time and measure 10x and cut once.... I went with the 14 spline setup and an 11" clutch from rockauto for $80 and used the stock press plate and throwout bearing..

a jeep shouldnt even be involved in a t-5 swap theres no need to be changing any kind of shaft, its so much easier to just get a clutch disc that fits,for a gm product, mine used a clutch disc for a 74 vega and i used my original size pressure plate and throw out bearing and kept the original bellhousing and foot starter, and I used an adapter plate from transmissionadapters.com

The company that builds the t5 is not a gm biased vendor.ford and jeep both used the t5 and like with gm trans units are supplied as per how each auto buildr wants them spec'd.All transmissions ( esp manuals) transfer cases and differentials are build by non oem vendors and supplied to who wants them.one cant get to hung up on being a gm purist when many other brands of cars run the same stuff in various configurations.as mention previously there are many ways to do this and each has to decided what way to go.I follwing this topic over theyears it has definitly been refined and is very easy to do.I currently run a saginaw 4spd out a monza with a 3.07 gear ratio out of a late 70's 4x4 gm.will run with anything on the hiway, a bit sluggish on hills at lower speeds.would work better with 3, 55 or 3.73 gears.holding off with the t5 till I can get at least 3.73 or 3.90 to go with it.lots of hills where I live so it is important for me to be geared accordingly,still have the 235 with a 2bbl carb, gm 250 hei distributer