T-18 hard shift

[GL49]

I've got a T-18 that doesn't seem to want to go into 2nd gear whenever the vehicle is rolling at lower RPM. It goes in pretty easily if I'm at a complete stop, but if I'm moving forward at low RPM, forget about it. No grinding at all, it simply won't go. I've checked the synchos, and they're good. No other abnormal signs of wear either (from what I could tell).

If I accelerate in 1st, I have to raise the RPM to around 3500 before I can get it to slide in (barely). Then downshifting (which I know can be tricky) is nearly impossible. This makes it a bear to try and drive through town and not being able to have 2nd most of the times.

This is my first Jeep, so I don't have any previous experience with these transmissions. I have no clue how it shifted originally, because when I bought the CJ, it was in pieces already, so I figured I'd rebuild it while it was already out. I have it in a shop right now getting looked over, but my question is, is this normal operation for this Transmission ? From what I've read so far, it sounds like I'm just going to have to drive it a while and find that sweet spot.

 

[JimsCJ5]

I don't use first on my T-18 . It is a granny low. In fact, you can put it in first, get out and walk around it while it idles along.
I start in 2nd and never downshift into 2nd. Only from 3rd to 4th. Treat it like a 3 sp...
Also, one thing to keep in mind re: downshifting.. Brake pads are cheaper than clutch plates. When I drove for UPS I was taught to never downshift.

 

[GL49]

When I said downshift (maybe I mean upshift, I get them confused) into 2nd, I only do that when I'm in 3rd and the engine starts to bog. I don't do it to slow the vehicle. If I'm at a stop, I'll start off in 2nd. But say I'm coming up to slow moving traffic that is too slow for 3rd gear, but too fast for 1st, it would be helpful to go from 3rd to 2nd in situations like that. Especially with the straight cut 1st gear, I don't want to force it into 1st.

I guess my question should be: Is 2nd (granny, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) usually a hard gear to get into?

 

[JimsCJ5]

I treat 2nd gear in the T-18 like 1st gear in my T-5 . I don't shift into it unless I am not moving. If I am moving at all I keep it in third and use the clutch.

 

[Posi]

This is my first Jeep, so I don't have any previous experience with these transmissions.

Maybe you are trying to shift too fast? What fluid are you using? Possibly a clutch adjustment is in order as well.


The T-18 gears are heavy compared to the other 3, 4, and 5 speeds. Everything is larger. So it takes more effort to move them. And the throws are longer. It's a truck Transmission and it shifts like one.


Try shifting into 4 then into 2nd see if that helps.

 

[GL49]

JimsCJ5:
I'll give it a shot, but I don't want to be too hard on my clutch disk either.

Posi:
I'll try slowing down shifts, keeping in mind that its not a race car I'm driving I have 90W in it right now, is there something else I should be using in it? The clutch linkage was good, I know that. Had it to where the throwout was barely off the pressure plate and the fork floated just a little bit. I'll try going from 4th to 2nd as well.

 

[Posi]

I have 90W in it right now,

Did you mean 80-90? Straight 90 is too heavy. If you want to use single weight I would recommend 50w.

 

[Hedgehog]

90w in Oregon is stiff, especially in the winter. Your gears need to be able to spin freely on their respective shafts to work properly. Also heavy grease makes it difficult for the syncros to release. Syncros are a sort of break that allows gears to speed up or slow down to match the next one in line. Depending on whether your up shifting or down fing.

 

[GL49]

Yes, 80-90. That's what I was recommended, but if that's too thick, then it's no problem swapping out fluid while it's still out! So 50W is one suggestion, anything else?

The shop finally got to it today and couldn't find anything wrong. Maybe it was the fluid either way, everything will be going back together tomorrow, so I'll post on how it's driving!

 

[Posi]

80-90w is fine, 90w is not.

Make sure your idle speed is not about 750rpm