T5 / t18 swap out

[El Jeep o]

I want to swap out my T-5 for a T-18 . I have a couple questions before I do.

1. Looking at the Novak rebuilt Transmission with adapter kit for Dana 300 , bell housing, pilot bushing and clutch disc to match input splines. Is there any reason I cant use my existing pressure plate if its still in good shape?

2. I have mixed info on weather or not the driveshafts need to be shortened / lengthened.

3. Is there a clearance issue with the top of the Transmission . and Transmission tunnel/shroud.

4. According to the gear calculator my RPM in 4th gear at 55 Mph will be 2500 +/_ does any out there have this set-up...(4:56, 33")

5. What else do I need to consider?

 

[hole]

I would change out the pressure plate so everything is fresh from go. The driveshafts are fine, the final length with a T-18 is probably 1/8" off what it was with a T-5 . No clearance issues on the tunnel, but you will need to drill/make a new hole for the shift cane because the top of the Transmission is about 7" +/- forward from its current location. I'm still running 2:73's so I cant attest to what it will sound/feel like at highway speeds, but start running around in 4th before pulling the T-5 to get a feel for it. You may also want to do the 4-1 for the Transfer Case while your this far into it.

 

[BusaDave9]

I did this years ago.
1. You do use a jeep pressure plate. But the clutch friction plate is intended for a ford.

2. Use a Ford T-18 not one from a Jeep and the total length of the Transmission with adapter plate is the same as the T-5 . Then you don't need to change drive shaft lengths.

3. As Hole was saying the shift lever is further forward so you will have to rig up a new shift boot for the lever but otherwise there should be no clearance issues.

4. You have great gearing for off road but you'll have high RPM on the highway.

 

[jp360cj]

No need to try and mix ford/jeep clutch parts, just get a clutch kit for a 76-79 CJ. The $100 Luk kit is a good one.

As mentioned, drive around in 4th gear. That's exactly what the T-18 will be like in high gear.


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[El Jeep o]

Thank you all for your help.

What about the shifter, what finger length do I need with this set up?

 

[jp360cj]

Thank you all for your help.



What about the shifter, what finger length do I need with this set up?

Going to depend on the Transmission .


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[BusaDave9]

Aren't you getting the shifter with the Transmission ?

 

[El Jeep o]

Aren't you getting the shifter with the Transmission ?

Yes, but I see there are two options 3.125 & 3.500 for the length. I assume Novak can tell me which one I need when I order. I wasn't sure what dictates the length so that's why I was asking.

 

[BusaDave9]

No need to try and mix ford/jeep clutch parts, just get a clutch kit for a 76-79 CJ. The $100 Luk kit is a good one.

A Jeep clutch won't work. The input shaft of the jeep T-18 sticks out too much.

If you have a Ford T-18 the input shaft sticks out 6.5 inches. This is perfect for the bellhousing you have for the T-18 . The ford T-18 has 10 splines.

To make this as simple as possible. Use a Ford T-18 . Your Jeep T-5 Bellhousing. A 10.5 inch ford friction plate and a jeep pressure plate. Using all these OEM parts from 2 manufactures you can easily mount your Ford T-18 in your jeep.

You will need an adapter for the Ford T-18 to be mated to the Dana 300 TCase. Advance Adapters and Novak both have such an adapter. To use this adapter you need to replace the output shaft of the ford with an output shaft from the kit.

 

[Torxhead]

My CJ with 33s and 4.10s with the T-18 , requires close to 3000 rpm for 60 mph. Although I run my tire pressure at 28 psi for minimal comfort.

 

[jp360cj]

A Jeep clutch won't work. The input shaft of the jeep T-18 sticks out too much.

If you have a Ford T-18 the input shaft sticks out 6.5 inches. This is perfect for the bellhousing you have for the T-18 . The ford T-18 has 10 splines.

To make this as simple as possible. Use a Ford T-18 . Your Jeep T-5 Bellhousing. A 10.5 inch ford friction plate and a jeep pressure plate. Using all these OEM parts from 2 manufactures you can easily mount your Ford T-18 in your jeep.

You will need an adapter for the Ford T-18 to be mated to the Dana 300 TCase. Advance Adapters and Novak both have such an adapter. To use this adapter you need to replace the output shaft of the ford with an output shaft from the kit.

The shorter input shaft of the Ford T-18 doesn't make any difference with the clutch disc. But you will need a special pilot bushing.

I agree the easiest and cheapest swap is the Ford T-18 of you are using a Dana 300 . But unless the T-5 bellhousing has the Ford butterfly pattern on the Transmission side, you'll need to modify it to work. The T-176 and T-150 CJ bellhousings will work with no mods.


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[BusaDave9]

The shorter input shaft of the Ford T-18 doesn't make any difference with the clutch disc. But you will need a special pilot bushing.

I agree the easiest and cheapest swap is the Ford T-18 of you are using a Dana 300 . But unless the T-5 bellhousing has the Ford butterfly pattern on the Transmission side, you'll need to modify it to work. The T-176 and T-150 CJ bellhousings will work with no mods.

When I installed a Ford T-18 I reused my bellhousing but I had to drill new holes in it where the T-18 mounts. That was the only mod or non OEM part I needed from the T-18 to engine.

 

[El Jeep o]

My CJ with 33s and 4.10s with the T-18 , requires close to 3000 rpm for 60 mph. Although I run my tire pressure at 28 psi for minimal comfort.

Running around in 4th gear with the T-5 my RPM at 55 MPH is right around 2600
I feel like that is on the high side, but maybe I'm paranoid. Think I can live with it though,won't see highway speeds very often but there is a place I go(5-6 times a year) that takes about 30 min. Where the speed limit is 70 mph. So I feel like I have to run at least 55 so I don't get run over.

 

[El Jeep o]

Appreciate everyone's input. Bought the T-18 with adapter kit today. Hope to install soon.