'81 cj t-176 replacement

I am asking for my brother-in-law who has a '81 cj with a t-176 that has gernaded. What would be his simpliest options for replacining this tranny?

He has a H/P motor and a dana 300. He would like to keep the same bell housing and drop out the t-176, do a direct swap to something like a t-98,t-18,sm420, or sm465. Would any of these direct bolt?

Without getting to involved, I will say that the motor is a chev-350 (with an adapter plate).Would the sm420/sm465 be simplier as it would bolt directly to the motor? Will these trannies bolt directly to the d300?

Another T-176 or T-177 is the easiest. They are a medium duty trans, and hold up quite well to V-8 power. You have to remember that it's a truck tranny, and isn't meant for gear jamming or speed shifting. If it's a Chevy bellhousing, then it's been re-drilled for the T-176. The SM420/465 are GM trannies, but would need adapters to the Dana 300. If you're not concerned about low 1st gears, there's also the Muncie car series trannies that can be adapted to the Dana 300. A T-18 or NP435 (both basically Ford) would be next, but both would require adapters for the Dana 300 and all would require driveshaft mods. The NP435 should have a similar front bolt pattern to the T-176.

Bob
tufcj

Thanks. That's sort of what I was thinking, but just want to make sure of what will and will not work. Also, any pros and cons as far as cost or adaptability.