tranny work?

[Jeepzilla]

My son has found and 83 CJ7 for sale. Good frame and tub, aftermarket hard top and hard doors, 258 sounds good. The 4-speed has no reverse gear. How much to fix? Is there such a thing as transmission cores + $$ = rebuilt or should we just look for one in a yard and take our chances?

[KeyWest FSJ]

Most auto parts stores like Advance Auto or Autozone sell rebuilt transmission in exchange for your core, however, it has been my experience that they are terribly highly priced on their Manual trannies. If I were you, I would have a go at a junkyard unit if you can find one. Manuals are pretty solid so chances are pretty good of finding a decent one at a yard.

[joe]

The 83 CJ's with the 258/4 speeds came with either the T-4 or T-176(same as the one in your Chero). If you've got the T-176 it's worth rebuilding. It's a good trans behind the 258. Parts are cheap and easy to come by. The T-4 is a pretty weak nippled tranny(light duty) and for some odd reason they're also pretty expensive. If you do have the T-4 you might condider just swapping in a T-176 to replace it. The 176's are inexpensive and relatively easy to find since a lot of them have been swapped out for T-18's. There was one 4 sale here in the For Sale Forum a few days ago.

[Jeepzilla]

With that swap, is there going to be a driveshaft change too? No big deal but if we're going bone-yarding we should skank the driveshaft too.