KIT 2 -- XK-120, XK-140, XK-150 Gearbox Kit

XKs Unlimited is proud to distribute the best five-speed conversions available. They’re based on the tried-and-true Borg-Warner T-5 unit, but are hand-assembled with many custom components for each Jaguar application. Why install a five speed? First, as far as feel and ease of use are concerned, these gearboxes are worlds apart from the original Moss (aka “non-synchro”) gearboxes, which are pleasingly vintage but rough and slow. The Moss box, fitted to all XKs, was basically out of date in the mid fifties; it was woefully obsolete by the mid sixties and certainly not up to the standards of Jaguar engines or suspensions. Our five speeds bring the transmission up to modern standards and eliminate what is arguably the most anachronistic feature of early Jaguars. Second, many internal components are no longer available for Jaguar gearboxes (even the later all-synchro units), so a five speed is sometimes the only alternative to a terminally ill standard box. Third, with a five speed you obviously gain another gear, making for excellent 1-4 ratios and an overdrive fifth for more relaxed cruising at highway speeds. This kit differs from part number 17-0002 in that it employs an adapter plate between the bell housing and transmission. This works superbly for XK-140s and XK-150s (which do not have a rear transmission mount) but less so on an XK-120 because the rear saddle mount on the transmission interferes with the frame crossmember, but you won’t have to modify your bell housing. For the XK-120 only, the frame must be cut and a new bracket welded into place—not a big job actually and the change remains hidden. Kit includes adapter plate, new transmission (not rebuilt), speedometer cable, shift lever, shift knob and clutch disc, drive shaft adapter yoke and a new, complete drive shaft. The stock clutch mechanism, pressure plate and throw-out bearing are retained (replacing the pressure plate and throw-out bearing would be prudent, however). The standard gearbox supplied with this kit has the following first-through-fifth ratios: 3.35, 1.99, 1.33, 1.00 and .73.