Trans Considering doing a transmission swap on my CJ5

[Newt]

I recently finished a re gear on my 1976 CJ5 that I’ve been building for some light river crawling. After completion I decided to start changing fluids on the rest of the powertrain and I was greeted by my Transmission having at least a half gallon of water in it and no oil. I then decided to pull the Transmission and the t case to see how bad the damage was. Long story short they are both in need of a rebuild a the least. The Transmission is the T- AMC 150 3 speed mated to the Dana 20 t case. Im looking for some insight on possibly doing a Transmission swap. From my current research I have my eye on the T- 18 4speed but Im not sure which versions (jeep,ford,gm) would mate without much tweaking. Also if it would be a good idea to go ahead and also swap to the Dana 300 t case. And If the T-18 Dana 300 combo would even fit in my CJ5 .

Its an I6 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with 4.88 gears on 33s Dana 30 , AMC20

Any ideas, suggestions or information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hole]

Take a look at Novak's website, (Link)-> Novak Jeep Conversions - Engine Swap Kits, Transmission Adapters, & Parts -< They are a wealth of information on the subject, as well as parts and adapters.

 

[TSB8C]

Swapping a Ford T-18 into your CJ5 in most cases can be swapped in cheaper and easier than any other Transmission . You might also consider the Ford T-19. Same tranny, but with synchronized gears. Ford T-18s are easy to find and inexpensive to buy and are compatible to a large degree with '76-'86 CJs because in most cases the originally bell housing can be retained.

Ford T-18s have a slightly different bolt pattern than most Jeep T-18s. The driver's side lower bolt is lower on the Ford version. The Ford pattern matches the T-150 and T-176 . The bell housing bolt pattern for the Ford T-18 is exactly the same as the T-150 and the T-176 transmissions. The Jeep T-18 has one bolt hole different, the bolt near the clutch fork is higher on the Jeep version. The SR4 , T-4 , and T-5 use a different bolt pattern altogether.

Minor modifications are required to the skid plate to fit the larger T-18 . A notch needs to be cut in the leading edge of the skid plate to allow room for the drain plug in the bottom of the T-18 .

If you are swapping in a Ford T-18 for a T-176 or T-150 , the rear drive shaft may need to be shortened and the front drive shaft may need to be lengthened since the overall length of the Ford T-18 and adapter is longer. You will need an adaptor to mate the Ford T-18 to the Dana 20 Transfer Case . Novak has one that is about an inch thick, pushing your Transfer Case that inch further back. You may also need modification to the tranny tunnel cover to accommodate the new location of the Transfer Case shifter lever(s).

The shift lever for the Ford T-18 is in the same place as the shift lever for the T-176 and T-150 .

The Ford T-18 weighs about AMC 150 pounds compared to around 80 pounds for a T-150 . So have your tranny jack ready.

 

[CJ]

Don't forget the input shaft has to be changed which may mean a clutch disk swap.

 

[KRUPP]

My prior '79 CJ5 had a T-18 and a Scout Dana 300 . I bought a donor '79 CJ5 (rolled and rusty) with a AMC 304 and the T-18 . I swapped in these. Your AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l bellhousing should work too, as TSB8C stated above.

1980 Scout Dana 300s are the year you need because they bolt right up to the T-18 . Otherwise, it's more work with adaptation. We used to have a few of these, but I think they're all gone now.
Here's one on Ebay...

1980 International Scout Dana 300 Transfer Case | Manual | Aftermarket Bull Gear

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for International Scout 1980 Dana 300 Transfer Case NO BULL GEAR Free Ship at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Another similar option is what I did to my current CJ7 . I swapped in a Ford NP435 Transmission with the Jeep Dana 300 . This is a common swap too, but it takes adaptation between the 2 cases. The 435 is about the same as the T-18 , as far as low gear, and it's just as heavy too.

 

[Newt]

So far in my parts search i’ve found a T-150 and Dana 20 that I could buy and just call it a day on it. Otherwise there is a T-18 from a ford F250 1972 that’s 200 bucks and is for sale by a guy local to me. (see attached picture) What would need to be changed on that T-18 to make it bolt to my jeep

 

[CJ]

So far in my parts search i’ve found a t150 and dana 20 that I could buy and just call it a day on it. Otherwise there is a T-18 from a ford F250 1972 that’s 200 bucks and is for sale by a guy local to me. (see attached picture) What would need to be changed on that t-18 to make it bolt to my jeep

View attachment 106289

That's a great Transmission ...
The input shaft would need modded as well as some case mods. It's doable if you have the expertise to swap the input shaft...

 

[Newt]

That's a great transmission...
The input shaft would need modded as well as some case mods. It's doable if you have the expertise to swap the input shaft...

I would get that input shaft from novak correct?

 

[CJ]

I think they sell them. Not sure because they are closed...
BTW, the enclosure has to modded if I remember.
It's been a long 60 years...

 

[KRUPP]

As TSB8C stated above, you don’t have to do much to bolt it to the Jeep bell housing.

But, the Dana 20 Transfer Case will take adaptation to work with the Ford T-18 . This means a new output shaft in the Transmission and the new plate.

You’ll need one of these for about $600…

Transmission -to-transfer-case/kit-188.html" data-host="www.novak-adapt.com" data-pending="false">

T18 & T19 to Dana 18 & 20 Transfer Case Adapter Kits #188 / #198 Series

Adapter kits for joining Borg-Warner T18 and T19 transmissions to Dana Spicer 18 & 20 transfer cases. Includes billet aluminum adapter and 6- or 10-spline output shafts for robust performance and proper fitment.

www.novak-adapt.com

While you’re inside the T-18 , you might see other items to address, like shifter parts or maybe a bearing or two will need replacing. This might be another $100 or so.

 

[Turbogus]

I've had a Ford T-18 languishing on my workbench since I parted with what was supposed to be a life long career. Since then I've discovered I had Osteoarthritis and as the T-150 is running fine the T-18 project will likely continue to be last on my list. This T-18 shifts smooth and the gears show very little wear it's just that these T-18 's are so damn heavy.

 

[CJ]

The T-18 is the best. It's a beast ..