How Practical? Building a T18A from parts

[IOPort51]

Rusty Balls say it ain't so.
I've been able to detirmine that this Transmission is a 1980. The case no. (not that this has anything to do with the ratios) is 13-01-065-907.
I'm picking it up this morning and as it seems to be stuck in gear I'm going to have to figure out how to remove the top cover. I'm only guessing that I'll have to remove the shifter first.

I can get anything apart. getting it back together again can sometimes be a problem.

 

[Turbogus]

Sometimes just need a bigger (knowledge) hammer

 

[Posi]

I'm going to have to figure out how to remove the top cover. I'm only guessing that I'll have to remove the shifter first.

With the Transmission in neutral remove the 6 cover bolts. Sliding a putty knife along the cover gasket helps break the seal if needed. No need to remove the shift lever.

However, if for any reason you need to remove the lever be careful you don't lose the pin. If yours is missing chances are you'll find it at the bottom of the case.

cap, spring seat, spring, and pin

 

[tarry99]

I own a Jeep T-18 /Dana 20 close ratio that I removed from a 75 that is over and down and has a smooth side. It also does not have a tag on the top. There is no reason why it is not a mix and match in the 75 as it may be in my 77.The manule I own for the ford T-18 lists 5 variations. one of which has the reverse arm on the inside of the case and four more that seem to differ primarily with input and output shafts.

I have been studying on replacing the close ration with wide ratio gear set. I have not yet determined if it is possible and /or if the extra low gears are all that desirable in my Jeep.

I am thinking it may be possible to swap the output shaft from the jeep intop the ford and have it mate with the Dana 20 .

Sorry to Highjack................just thought I would answer this:

IO , your best chance for conversion using that Jeep tranny is using the Jeep style long input shaft with the correct number of teeth for the 6.32 gear........which also requires a counter shaft change......The Ford counter shaft in the same ratio I believe is off by 1 tooth........so you have to stay with the Jeep BW stuff all the way! That tranny looks like it came out of a Full size Pick Up which would make your drive shaft awfully short in your CJ5 .........There was a time when parts for the Jeep version were more plentiful but not now......I do know some folks that do have some Jeep gear inventory but you would have to know the correct part numbers of what you needed.
The Ford BW version w/the 6.5 " input shaft is by far easier to work with but still requires a shortened main shaft and adapter (Novak / Advanced) to mate to the Dana 20 . Your current T-150 should have the same pattern as the Ford T-18 so your bell housing should be fine although I'm not sure if the bearing collar OD is correct but that can be fixed.......Get a Ford T-18 !

 

[Posi]

Another source for the output shaft would be anyone swapping their T-18 /20 combo to a T-18 /300. The leftover output shaft should work with the ford T-18 /20. I'm saving mine just in case I need it down the road along with a bronco sliding gear and D 18 gears for a low cost 2.46 Dana 20 .

 

[Turbogus]

There's been many folks talking about the T-18 Transmission . to the Dana 20 Transfer Case but my '78 is equipped with the Dana 300 Transfer Case already. Today, a local shop owner that I'm friends with whom formerly worked at the local Ford dealership was full of info and he did unscrew the shifter boss and removed the locking pin. (That he immediatly put in a plastic bag) and peering down the hole, he said "I'll be right back with a big screwdriver" 5 seconds of prodding the shift rails into alignment and 'wha-la' clear and now I can at last fully remove the Shift Control Housing. :bounce:

 

[IOPort51]

Sorry to Highjack................just thought I would answer this:

IO , your best chance for conversion using that Jeep tranny is using the Jeep style long input shaft with the correct number of teeth for the 6.32 gear........which also requires a counter shaft change......The Ford counter shaft in the same ratio I believe is off by 1 tooth........so you have to stay with the Jeep BW stuff all the way! That tranny looks like it came out of a Full size Pick Up which would make your drive shaft awfully short in your CJ5 .........There was a time when parts for the Jeep version were more plentiful but not now......I do know some folks that do have some Jeep gear inventory but you would have to know the correct part numbers of what you needed.
The Ford BW version w/the 6.5 " input shaft is by far easier to work with but still requires a shortened main shaft and adapter (Novak / Advanced) to mate to the Dana 20 . Your current T-150 should have the same pattern as the Ford T-18 so your bell housing should be fine although I'm not sure if the bearing collar OD is correct but that can be fixed.......Get a Ford T-18 !

why woulod you think it came out of a full sized truck??

My reasons to think it didn't, the j trucks had an adapter/ spacer between the Transmission and the bell and if it was from a j truck it would have the 6.32:1 gears.

I am not disagreeing with you, you have as good a chance to be right as I do, maybe better, just would like to know the reasons.

 

[Turbogus]

Don't those J truck have the super long input shaft?

 

[IOPort51]

they do, I understand it is to help move things back to keep the shifter behind the dash. some say there was an excess of parts from something else and AMC found a way to use them. one source says the T-18 was only available in the J-20 3/4 ton.

There is a lot of non conferrable information out there and I have yet to find the definitive source. So far I have yet to find reference to case number ending with 906.

Terry where did you find the information on the tooth count?

 

[RatDog8o8]

I've had a few Jeeps T-18 with reverse over and down that weren't 79, all were swapped in from a truck, ford or from a 79. They changed the top cover in 79 that resulted in reverse being over and down. If you don't mind post a pic of your vin tag.

Here's the shift knob


Here's the VIN sticker


VIN: J8M93EA145375

VIN breaks down to:

J: Jeep
8: 1978
M: 4spd
93: CJ7
E: 4,AMC 150 GVW
A: 258cid 1bbl
145375 - Sequential Serial Number

Near as I can tell, from doing the (just finished) engine rebuild, everything is factory original. I know that I didn't change it, anyways...neither did the previous owner. (I believe I'm 3rd owner, but I would almost put money on it being original.)

 

[Posi]

Thanks for info. Late 78 you got the first batch of 79 over and down T-18 's, cool. I like them much better then reverse near 3rd gear.

 

[RatDog8o8]

Thanks for info. Late 78 you got the first batch of 79 over and down T-18 's, cool. I like them much better then reverse near 3rd gear.

So would this be like a "transition year" for other areas of the Jeep, too? It's got front disc brakes, but manual brakes as opposed to power-assisted.

 

[Turbogus]

I know 'Black Betty's got front discs but I don't know if '78 was the transition year

 

[Posi]

So would this be like a "transition year" for other areas of the Jeep, too? It's got front disc brakes, but manual brakes as opposed to power-assisted.

Jeep always looked to improve or use what they had. A few that come to mind was the 70 1/2 - 71 one piece 30 spline year axle, early 76 4.02 T-18 - 76-79 6.32 T-18 , early 86 AMC20 - late 44 rear there are more but you get the point.

I'd be interested in knowing if your roll bar goes to the floor? The late 78's went to the floor, early went to the wheel well another transition with the 78.

 

[Posi]

RE disc brakes: standard 78-86 optional on 77
Power brakes were an option, mostly tied into heavy duty springs.

 

[Turbogus]

Good to know Posi but then on our 30+ year old CJ's who knows what the P.O.s did. At least as far as my knowledge will take me I'm keeping my mods as professional and above board as possible for my own sake. I hate revisting repairs and mods I've done once before.

Unless it's an enhancement, that is.

 

[RatDog8o8]

I'd be interested in knowing if your roll bar goes to the floor? The late 78's went to the floor, early went to the wheel well another transition with the 78.

Top of the fenderwell/wheelwell.

 

[Posi]

Interesting, wished there were a list of SN on record like the early Jeeps.

 

[Turbogus]

You got that right!

 

[Posi]

Here's the VIN sticker

There should be a built date (month and year) on the upper right corner of the above dash sticker. Could you post the month?