T98 gear ratio?

[what huh]

Could somebody let me know the gear ratios of a T98.

I bought a 289 with a powershift trans attached to it. I had everything worked out( longer crank bolts, dial-in bell housing) because I wanted to keep the manual trans, but after research I feel that it might not be the best idea. Mainly because if I drive on the highway, from what I have read the engine will be screaming high rpms.

Any advise on which route to take. I love manual vehicles, but I also like to drive my vehicles.

Charles
1961 Champ

[62champ]

According to my 7E spec book, here is what you have:

1st - 6.40
2nd - 3.09
3rd - 1.69
4th - 1.00
Rev - 7.82

Hope that helps

[PackardV8]

The T98 4-speed is a great transmission for a working truck hauling loads.

The other option OEM and what I'm running right now is the Borg-Warner T89 3-speed overdrive. It is the best all around light truck transmission Studebaker ever used.

jack vines

[StudeRich]

Whatever Truck Bell Housing you have will pretty much determine which Trans. can be used.
A T-98 4 Speed Clutch Housing is not usually drilled and tapped for the T-89 3 Speed Pattern, so you would need that.

I don't know what you are doing with the Power Shift Automatic, but Truck Converter Housings are very hard to find for Automatics.

As long as you are running a Truck 4.09, 4.27 or 4.54 Rear Axle, any non-Overdrive Trans. is not going to be Highway/Interstate friendly.

[62champ]

To piggy back on what Rich mentioned - you could always keep the T-98 and go with a different rear axle ratio. Dana/Spicer 44s have a ton of optional rear end ratios, even stretching down below 3.00. If you are going to be "working" the truck - you probably do not want to go too low.

I love the 3sp/OD in my Champ, and its 4.27 is not a factor out on the highway (in OD, final ratio is basically 2.98). However, when loaded like it is below, that 4.27 can get it rolling from a dead stop with little throttle... Good luck.

[what huh]

According to my 7E spec book, here is what you have:

1st - 6.40
2nd - 3.09
3rd - 1.69
4th - 1.00
Rev - 7.82

Hope that helps

Thank you, it does

The T98 4-speed is a great transmission for a working truck hauling loads.

The other option OEM and what I'm running right now is the Borg-Warner T89 3-speed overdrive. It is the best all around light truck transmission Studebaker ever used.

jack vines

I have a 3 speed OD that I am leaning towards using, I have read a lot of threads about it, you are in almost all of them. You are also a big reason why I am starting to head in the direction. Thank you Jack

Whatever Truck Bell Housing you have will pretty much determine which Trans. can be used.
A T-98 4 Speed Clutch Housing is not usually drilled and tapped for the T-89 3 Speed Pattern, so you would need that.

I don't know what you are doing with the Power Shift Automatic, but Truck Converter Housings are very hard to find for Automatics.

As long as you are running a Truck 4.09, 4.27 or 4.54 Rear Axle, any non-Overdrive Trans. is not going to be Highway/Interstate friendly.

I have the bell housing for both of the transmission I want to use. Are you saying that the bell housing I have for the automatic wont work on a truck? A little confused on that one

To piggy back on what Rich mentioned - you could always keep the T-98 and go with a different rear axle ratio. Dana/Spicer 44s have a ton of optional rear end ratios, even stretching down below 3.00. If you are going to be "working" the truck - you probably do not want to go too low.

I love the 3sp/OD in my Champ, and its 4.27 is not a factor out on the highway (in OD, final ratio is basically 2.98). However, when loaded like it is below, that 4.27 can get it rolling from a dead stop with little throttle... Good luck.

Dont plan on working the truck but it will be the vehicle to go grab mulch or haul the motorcycle around. Do I see that correct that you get 11.8mpg with the 3sp/OD?



Question for all: If I do stick with the T98, what would be a good rearend ratio for highway cruising 55-65mph? 3.07, 3.31 anybody expirence running those in a Champ? I am researching this aswell to see what I find

[jackb]

just remember......if you want to change the gear ratio from 4.XX to 3.XX, you need to find another 3.xxx to do the swap

[what huh]

your saying that I need to find another axle that will accept a 3.xx gear ratio? if that is the case I am looking at dana 44 axles.

There is one other option, ... bigger tires lol

[what huh]

the more I research making the T98 work, the more the 3sp/OD is calling my name

[StudegaryB]

Truck bell housings have 2 motor mounts, one on each side. Car bell housings for an automatic don't match up correctly to the truck mounting points. Rich means that you likely have a car automatic bell housing and would need to do some adapting to use it and that truck bellhousings for an automatic are extremely scarce. If you go with the 3 speed overdrive be sure that you use the truck T89 transmission. A T86 3 speed overdrive is too light duty for a 289 (there are people who disagree with this accessment). I have all the pieces for my next truck project, a '62 T cab 3/4 ton, long bed, 289, with a New Venture 4500 5 speed transmission. I'll have a granny low with 5th gear overdrive with that transmission. I haven't figured out what I'll need to do to adapt the Dodge transmission yet but will figure that out when I pull apart that truck.

[PackardV8]

To get the best advice, what gear is in your present Dana 60?

As mentioned, truck bellhousings are different, as are the transmissions. You're looking for a side cover short tailshaft T89, but to confuse you, it will have T85 cast into the housing. The top cover trannies are not strong enough for truck use.

Also, if your engine is from a car, the water pump manifold will mount the fan in the wrong position for truck use. Fortunately, truck water manifolds are common.

jack vines

[merv]

years ago when i ran a salvage yard i had a 61 t-cab with a 289 and t98 with 4.27 gears. it would tow heavy cars on a tow bar with no trouble and run well over 100 mph on the highway. loved the truck it did anything i wanted very well

[what huh]

It coming together now n my head. I got under the truck with the new information and was able to see what we are talking about.

To get the best advice, what gear is in your present Dana 60?

As mentioned, truck bellhousings are different, as are the transmissions. You're looking for a side cover short tailshaft T89, but to confuse you, it will have T85 cast into the housing. The top cover trannies are not strong enough for truck use.

Also, if your engine is from a car, the water pump manifold will mount the fan in the wrong position for truck use. Fortunately, truck water manifolds are common.

jack vines

I am trying to figure out the current ring and pinion on the axle I have. Is there specific place to look? or do I need to take the diff cover off and count?

I do have an electric fan I am planning on running. Are there any other reason to run the truck water manifold over the car?

I think I have developed a plan. I am going to go ahead and keep the T98 for a couple of reasons.
1- the truck bell housing I have is for a manual.
2- Simpliest for getting up and running, all I need to do is dial in bell housing and longer crank bolts.
3- I dont know what my tire set-up is yet, Planning on a larger tire to fill up the wheel well a little better. So once I have a tire set-up that I like then I can adjust my final gears to suit my needs
4- I rather have a manual Truck and take a different route rather then the highway until I have the time and the funds to swap the rear for a different axle.

[what huh]

years ago when i ran a salvage yard i had a 61 t-cab with a 289 and t98 with 4.27 gears. it would tow heavy cars on a tow bar with no trouble and run well over 100 mph on the highway. loved the truck it did anything i wanted very well

Do you recall the RPMs?

I have been calling around to a lot of friends, and that is pretty much the answers I have been getting. Put your new motor in and run it, if I want to change it later then I have something to build off of.

[PackardV8]

I am trying to figure out the current ring and pinion on the axle I have. Is there specific place to look? or do I need to take the diff cover off and count?

There should be a metal tag on one of the cover bolts. It will have something like "10/41"

jack vines