As U.S servicemen returned home after the conclusion of World War II, Their desire for the Jeep lingered on. In 1945 Willy’s would respond by introducing the first civilian jeep. A key component and ultimate success for Jeep lied in the dependable Borg-Warner T90 transmission. Although small in size, the transmission performed reasonably well and would continue to reign as the standard transmission for nearly 25 years.
The cast iron T90 transmission is compact at only 8.80” long and 14” in height. It utilizes a cast iron top cover which is retained by six bolts. The case ha
s a large bulge on the driver's side. There are also two noticeable bosses on the driver side that were used as provision
s for side-shifting version of the transmission. The T90 is relatively light at 70lbs.
The T90 transmission was available as both a floor shift and a side rail shift mechanism. The side rail shift versions were used for vehicles with a column shifter.
T90 transmissions have a 1-3/8", 6 spline output
shaft for mounting the transmission to the transfer case input gear. The transmission input shafts were available in two different designs. The 6 cylinder engine applications had longer inputs varying in 9.125” to 9.25” shaft stick outs with a 10 spline 1-1/8" diameter. The 4 cylinder engines used a smaller and shorter input shaft at a 7" stick out with a 15/16" diameter 10 spline.
The T90 transmissions can be sub categorized into 3 versions. They were all synchronized in second and third gears.
All of the gears were helically cut with the exception of first and reverse, which were spur gears. The differences were in the input shafts, shift controls, cluster shafts and transmission gear ratios.
TheT90A1transmission was used behind the four cylinderL head commonly referred to as the “Go Devil”. The transmission was standard from 1946 to 1962. This version had the shorter and smaller input shaft. The inputs were 18 tooth count on the helical cut of the shafts. This early T90 normally had a felt material as a method of sealing for the front bearing retainer assembly. The transmission gear ratios for this transmission are 2.79:1 first gear, 1.55:1 second gear, 1:1 third gear and 3.79:1 reverse. When doing an engine conversion with the T90A1,A longer 6cyl input shaft 716014replacement will be required. The cluster gear will not need to be replaced as the new input also shares the same 18 tooth helical cut as the smaller original shaft.
TheT90Ctransmissions were used from 1963 to 1971. They were found behind the “Hurricane” F-Head four-cylinder engine. The T90C consisted as the same basic build as the T90A and the case casting actually reads “T90A”. It utilized the smaller and shorter input shaft; however, the difference lied in the cluster gear and transmission ratios. T90C has a 16 tooth helical cut for input gear instead of the 18 tooth. The transmission also had different gear ratios of 3.34:1 first gear, 1.85:1 second gear, 1:1 third gear and a 4.53:1 reverse. When doing an engine conversion with the T90C, A longer 6cyl input shaft716014replacement will be required. The cluster gear716018will also need to be replaced as the new 18 tooth input shaft does not share the same helical tooth count. This transmission was commonly used with vehicles using the 4.27 axle ratio.
TheT90Jwas used behind the six-cylinder trucks and wagons from 1952 to 1965. They were used with both floor mounted and column shift transmission linkage. They always had the longer 9.125” to 9.25” stick out input shaft with a 10 x 1-1/8" splines. The T90J utilized a 18 tooth, helically cut input gear. The transmission had gear ratios of 2.79:1 first gear, 1.55:1 second gear, 1:1 third gear and 3.79:1 reverse. When doing an engine conversion with the T90J, The transmission has the longer input shaft, so input shaft replacement will not be required.
The T90 deserves every bit of the near legendary status it has received, but it does lack in comparison with most modern transmissions. The low axle ratios of early jeeps and lack of overdrive limit the drivability of many old Jeeps. Couple this with the short wheel base of the older Jeep, Jeep owners are left with little options for better highway speeds. 5 speeds are generally too long to convert. One of the few overdrive options for the early Jeep is the Saturn Overdrive. It allows the Jeep owner to retain his dependable t90 while also achieving the rpm reduction and higher highway speeds so dearly needed.
T90 Engine Adapters & Accessories| Part # | Description |
|---|
| 712502A | Chevy Engine to T90 Adapter Kit |
| 712505 | Ford Engine to T90 Adapter Kit |
| 716014 | Long 6 Cylinder Style T90 Input Shaft |
| 716018 | Cluster Gear for 18 Tooth T90 Input Shaft | |
FAQs
It is a good transmission when well maintained and has often been adapted to V8, V6 and I4 power. The T90 was the improved progeny of the T84, of military MB & GPW fame. The T90 was the standard three-speed as found in CJ Universals, Utility Trucks & Wagons, J Series and Forward Control Trucks.
What is a T90 transmission? ›
The Borg-Warner T-90 is a three-speed manual gearbox manufactured by Borg-Warner. It was used in most Willys and Kaiser-Jeep models from 1945 to 1971, as well as a number of International Harvester models. It is an improved version of the T-84 used in WWII Willys MB and Ford GPW military Jeeps.
What engines will bolt up to a T90 transmission? ›
Engines. These conversion kits will work with most Chevrolet V8s & Chevrolet V6s (Gen. I thru Gen. III+), Buick V6s, the Iron Duke I4, some Chevy I6s and other GM engines.
Are all T90 transmissions the same? ›
The T-90A1 has a 15/16-inch input shaft and 18 teeth on the input gear, while the T-90C has the same size input shaft, but 16 teeth on the input gear. The T-90J has 1-1/8th input shaft with 18 teeth on the input gear and is either a column or floor shift."
What are the disadvantages of the T-90? ›
Tanks disadvantages
Notable shortcomings of the T-72/90 tanks include a strong IR trace created when the engine is running in dust, inadequate side protection against anti-tank systems and BOPS, lack of RPG protection, weak ammunition loading carousel protection, and insufficient additional armor.
Is the T-90 just an upgraded T-72? ›
It replaced the T-54/55 series as the workhorse of Soviet tank forces (while the T-64 and T-80 served as the Soviet high-technology tanks). In front-line Russian service, T-72s are being upgraded or augmented by the T-90, itself a modernized version of the T-72B.
How much does a T-90 cost? ›
Basic T-72s cost about $500,000, the new T-90Ms reportedly costs around $4.5 million. A closer look at the video shows a second vehicle farther away hit at the same time as the first. This also smokes badly, suggesting another kill. It is possible Russia lost two of its prized T-90Ms at the same time.
How fast can the T-90 go? ›
What engine does the T-90 use? ›
The T-90 main battle tank is powered by the V-84MS four-stroke 12-cylinder multi-fuel Diesel engine delivering 840 hp. The engine operates on diesel fuel, kerosene grades T-2 and TS-1, and gasoline grade A-72. The capacity of main and auxiliary fuel tanks is 1,600 l, including 705 l in an armour protected fuel tank.
What is the gear ratio for the Jeep T90? ›
The transmission gear ratios for this transmission are 2.79:1 first gear, 1.55:1 second gear, 1:1 third gear and 3.79:1 reverse.
The stock transmission during the 20 years of production of the Willys Jeep Utility vehicles was the Borg-Warner T-90 3-speed transmission. The gear ratios are on the Gears page.
How much does a T90 transmission weight? ›
T90 = 60 pounds vs T15 = 80 pounds. T 15 front Bellhousing adapter plate required for most Willys applications.
What are all the variants of T-90? ›
Variants of the T90 Tanks:
T-90 – The first production version. Object 188 (1989), production 1992. T-90K – Commander's version of the T-90, with additional communication (R-163-50K station) and navigation equipment (TNA-4-3). T-90A – Russian army version with welded turret, V-92S2 engine, and ESSA thermal viewer.
How many T-90 are there? ›
The T-90 is a development of the T-72 and uses the 125mm 2a46 main gun. The T90 started service in 1992, the T-90A in 2004 and the T-90M in 2016. In total Russia has built less then 4000 T-90 but many were exported.
When did the T-90 come out? ›
The Canon T90, introduced in 1986, was the top of the line in Canon's T series of 35 mm Single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras.
How good is the 6L90E transmission? ›
The weight capacity and superb torque handling of the 6L90E transmission make it perform exceptionally well in construction, commercial, and industrial settings.
What is the strongest Chevy transmission? ›
The 10L90E is by far the biggest and heaviest modern automatic transmission in GM history, but it's also the strongest and offers amazing performance and economy when matched with a Gen V LT engine. This is part of the newest technology in the performance world.
Is the Russian T-90 tank any good? ›
The T-90M still is the best tank in active production in Russia, albeit in a new, slightly-downgraded version that replaces embargoed French optics with inferior Russian optics. Mass-production of hundreds of T-90Ms rendered the T-90As mostly redundant.
What is the strongest 4 speed transmission? ›
The G-101 racing 4-speed transmission is the ultimate in 4-speed performance. This transmission can be built as a clutchless or clutch assisted model and has a wide range of applications. The G-101 is primarily used for drag racing only, but can also be used in street/strip vehicles.
shaft for mounting the transmission to the transfer case input gear. The transmission input shafts were available in two different designs. The 6 cylinder engine applications had longer inputs varying in 9.125” to 9.25” shaft stick outs with a 10 spline 1-1/8" diameter. The 4 cylinder engines used a smaller and shorter input shaft at a 7" stick out with a 15/16" diameter 10 spline.
