Just curious, I'm looking at a toploader transmission. The tag code is Rug-BJ1. David Kee web site says it's for a 351CJ. My question is what would a transmission like this be worth. Included is the bell, drive shaft, pressure plat, OEM Hurst shift, and other small parts. Any help would be great. Oh ya, he's asking $900. For it.
Thanks.

 

 

If your looking at it for your own use it's a personal decision . Personally a newer 5 or six speed is would be far more usable and open up more rear gear options because of the overdrive . The tranny would be worth huge amounts to someone restoring a numbers or year matching car .

 

 

It's only a good price if it's what you want. The value is there to someone, no doubt. But it's a lot of work to make it work in your application, and you need the rest of everything else, engine, rear end, and every other accessory to go with it. If you really desire a manual transmission, there are other options that can make your cruiser a more comfortable driver. If you're just looking for something fun to cruise in, an auto trans would be much easier to set up, since you won't need to futz with a clutch linkage. They can be complicated in the space allotted, next to the exhaust, brakes and steering parts. The stock stuff doesn't work easily with modern engine/transmissions combos.

 

 

A world class or SVO T5 would work great depending on output of that 351. I think max torque ratings are somewhere around 330, with most used craigslist examples something less. I don't really like the ratios as they 3.35 or 2.95 1st gear, and a .7 or so OD. TKOs have more torque rating (500 or 600) and some better ratios. They have a 600 with road racing ratios that I'd love to put in a hot street car or truck.

Toploaders (and T-10s) do command a bigger price these days, with the big block/big input shaft, especially those that came in something special, bringing the biggest prices. I do a little bit of swap meet selling (mostly my own parts,but buy and sell a little bit). I have a small block '66 289 close ratio box I was going to put in my '81 F100 and went to talk to a Ford vendor (mostly Mustangs) who did a good business in used and new/rebuilt boxes about it. The rebuilt big shaft boxes were fetching $1300 and up, used maybe $9. I would think that one of yours from behind a '72 351CJ would fall somewhere in there as long as it's in good shape, and no broken/welded "ears" - which is common (mine is that way). The broken ears/corners can be repaired well so it's no problem, but it does affect the price of what that box is worth. Another toploader plus (to me) is that other than no OD, the ratios, esp a wide ratio box like your example, are great. I wish the T5s would come with those, but add the OD.

Another consideration is the shifter; does it come with one? They are also kind of pricey now and can easily add $300. I look for used shifters at times and those are often $150 or more, or at least the ones I see are. Maybe you can find a good used one, or if it is included then that would be a plus. A T5 or TKO basically already has one built in. Those old toploaders are a great transmission and I had a few in yrs past. We drove them on the highway and all that and they're still a good choice depending on your use. For me and the price of them, I'd still consider an OD trans as they are all over out there used for decent prices and give you so much more drive ability. You could still have 3.70s or deeper with reasonable rpms on the highway.