CJ5 Shifter won't go into gear

[Lumpy Grits]

Like HH sez. That's not the Transmission -That's the Transfer Case . The tranny is in front of the t'case. Get pictures of all markings.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

Just thought about this. That Transmission would have required a fairly expensive adaptor to make it fit the Dana 300 Transfer Case . I wonder if Advanced Adaptors or NOVAK have an adaptor specifically made for a T-98 or did they use a T-18 kit?

 

[Posi]

AA sells an adapter to mate the 98 to 300
You already have the top off so count the first/reverse sliding gear it's located at the rear of the mainshaft, if it's a 98 it will have a 43 tooth count and a 17 tooth cluster gear. The case should be stamped 1301-174-6117.

The 98 has a 6.40 first gear, the 18 a 6.32

 

[Hedgehog]

Now that would be a definitive answer to the question rather than a SWAG. I just hope the OP doesn't have to do a complete tear down to take care of the problem.

Edit: Dug a little deeper and this is what NOVAK has to say on the matter. It's pretty much the same as what Posi wrote.

Identification
The T-98 's progeny, the*T-18 , used the same top cover as the T-98 up through 1979. Many individuals assume they have found a T-98 upon seeing the "T-98 " cast into the top cover, when in fact, it is a T-18 .
The only way to rule T-98 out from being a T-18 is to open the top cover and count gear teeth. The T-98 will have a 43 tooth first-reverse sliding gear (the rearmost mainshaft gear, spur cut) and a 17 tooth cluster gear (also spur cut).
The T-98 's mainshaft features a smaller pilot tip than the T-18 and has needle roller bearings under second gear.
Jeep T-98 's may feature a casting code of 1301-174-6117. Some may have a T-18 -1P WG Division cast into them.

OP - I know this back and forth between Posi and me might be getting frustrating. It really doesn't matter much to me who is correct between the two of us, I'm staying in the game because if you need to rebuild your Transmission it is important to get the correct rebuild kit as there is a difference in the main shaft gears. Especially the needle bearing set up in the T-98 .

 

[Posi]

The only thing that matters to me is the correct answers doesn't matter who posts them.

 

[Hedgehog]

Believe me, I understand and have understood the implication.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Clutch has about 1" to 20" play at the top but other than that it is Tight.

Anyone notice this?

1" good - 2" may not be engaging fully, which may cause the not shifting good issue.

Actually I'm not sure on the "newer" CJ's - I know mine was actually pretty sensitive when I had to worry about it (hydraulic now )

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I keep mine to 1"- 1 1/2" free play. No more/no less.
As the friction plate wears. The pressure plate moves closer to the flywheel. That reduces the pedal free play.
LG

 

[JR74CJ5]

Yeah that's what I was getting at - on mine the 1/2" difference wouldn't allow me to fully disengage the clutch, so I could not shift properly.

Possibly OP's issue is this simple? Said 1" to 2" (said 20" but I assumed meant 2" )

If more towards the 2" side, may have been a little far depending on condition of the clutch plate and release fingers...


Just a thought before going down the rabbit hole of tranny rebuild too far...

Also, if you're moving asap - might consider just getting a hold of u-haul trailer for the day and towing to the new place to save yourself the stress of this right now - again if feasible...

 

[hagar]

Dana 300 Transfer Case . With the typical leaks.

I almost bet that your CJ came with the deserved much hated SR4 Transmission and the Transmission was swapped (including an adaptor kit for a T-18 /T-98 to the Transfer Case ) for something much better.

Not relevant, but the tag shown on the Dana 300 in the photo is correct for 1980 model year. It should have the short rear output which used the Dana 20 type of speedometer gears (if still in stock form).

 

[Hedgehog]

Not relevant? How so? A simple identification of his Transfer Case .

 

[Posi]

Not relevant? How so? A simple identification of his Transfer Case . I'm not at all sure why the dismissal is necessary. Also the evidence is not at all convincing that he has a T-98 , that was the only goal here for me. If he has a T-98 converted to accept a Dana 300 all is well, the T-98 is certainly a decent Transmission . It confuses me that there is any controversy in anything I have written in this thread. If there is I did not intend to bring it. But I also won't be running and hiding any time soon.

Take yourself out of the equation, then read his post again.

 

[Hedgehog]

I tried doing that, but he quoted ME and wrote "Not relevant" exactly how would you take a statement like that if I had done it? You certainly copied my original post quickly enough. Almost as soon as I hit the enter button I edited most of those words out because you are right it was too much about me and not about the thread.

 

[hagar]

HH

The " not relevant " remark was to MY own post not YOURS.
Chill.
This is a Transmission thread, not Transfer Case .

 

[Hedgehog]

The man is attempting to identify what he has or at least that is what the thread seems to be.

 

[Posi]

The man is attempting to identify what he has or at least that is what the thread seems to be.

Wrong, the OP did not come here to ID is Transmission or Transfer Case it was you who tired to turn this thread into a Transmission ID thread. All the OP wanted was help to repair his Transmission , and had less then a week to do it.

OP's first post.

It was working fine. I noticed it was hard to shift on the way to work and the same coming home. Normally shift into 1st and idle down driveway slow, it wouldn't go into 1st. Had to force it into 2nd. Tried to put it into reverse to back into my parking spot and it wouldn't go into gear. Had to force it into 2nd to turn around and park.
I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing!!! I have less than a week to figure it out because I have to move next week.

ANY AND ALL HELP OR IDEAS WILL BE APPRECIATED!!!!!

You posted this on page 2.

Not to be to pointed in the question, but are you sure you have a T-98 ? If so it certainly did not come stock in your '80 CJ5 . The T-98 is a strong 4 speed Transmission , from what I understand a predecessor to the T-18 .

it was too much about me and not about the thread.