Np 435 Or Stock T150 With 5.88 Gears

I'm back on the rebuild train again, my 1977 CJ5 with AMC 390, T150 and D20 along 5.88 gears with 33x12.5 tires has seen better days. My current T150 looks to be toast not sure on the D20. Alabama coastal humidity has gotten to it and it doesn't seem worth the cost of a rebuild. I had a friend yesterday drop by a 2wd version of NP435 with the low granny gear for $200.
I use the Jeep as a toy and have fun around town and few trails here and there, nothing big, but who knows.

1. Would the NP435 be too low geared since i have the 5.88 with lockers already installed?

2. In your opinion would the cost of doing all of the conversions of installing a NP435 with adapter for a d20 or d300 and all the extras be worth it?

3. I found a line on a nice with warranty rebuilt T150 and Dana 20 for a $1000 total. Should I buy it, slap it on and be cruising in no time?

So what ya think? After typing this out I think I know what I should do, number 3.

 

NP435 is a great transmission, but unless you’re a hardcore wheeler, it might not be worth it.

 

I fully a agree ^^^.

furthermore while not as strong I’ve always felt the 3 speeds just feel more sporty shifting. But it’s all about application. I’ve not crunched the numbers but you should have a perfectly sufficient crawl ratio as is with the 3 speed.

 

I'd rebuild what you have; then you know what you have on the insides.
For the "rebuilt for 1K" I'd pass. Your core old/units could be in better shape than what you'll receive.

 

Given your application I believe the NP is overkill, especially if you have no complaint with the existing 150.
That being said, what makes you believe the 150 is toast? Is there internal damage to the gears?

 

Around town, the NP 435 would be basically the same as the t150, gears 2-4 on the 435 are similar in ratio to the 1-3 on the t150, with top gear being direct drive. You'd almost never use 1st on the street.

For around town, the effort and expense of adapting the 435 is probably not worth it. It will cost you much much more than rebuilding the t150. And you already have 5.88s, so you are plenty low for casual trail riding.

Parts for the Jeep T150 Transmission
rebuild kit is $150

 

The T-150 is a Ford 3-speed passenger car transmission, built on license for Jeep by Tremec. I'd expect there is plenty of parts availability. If it were for me, I'd rebuild what I had, or if I had broken gears, look for another suitable core transmission. These 3-speeds are not complicated.

Buying someone else's post-rebuild transmission seems risky to me, unless they were someone like Herm that sell these transmissions rebuilt as a business. T-150 Transmission | Herm The Overdrive Guy

First post - welcome from Boston!