Trans Question.

[jafo]

Will a T-18 bolt up to a Dana 20 Transfer Case without adapters or mods?

 

[Posi]

What year T-18 ?
Jeep or ford?

 

[jafo]

May be a better question would be, what T-18 's would readily fit into a '79 CJ7 ?

Tell me if I'm thinking this wrong. Currently have a T-150 mated to a stock Dana 20 with a 3.54 gear ratio and 33" tires. My thought process tells me since the final gear ratios of both the T-18 and T-150 are 1 to 1 depending on what gear ratio you're running in the diff right? So the T-150 is barely handling the tire size and the 3.54 diff ratio. I want to locate a T-18 with the 6.37 first gear if possible to help with the 3.54 diff ratio. I know I would still wind up the same rpm to speed range in 4th with the T-18 as I had with 3rd in the T-150 . I just think it would have better driving manners between 1st and 3rd not to mention the real low first gear I think would work better with the diff ratio I have.

 

[Torxhead]

Another option would be the T-176 , which has a 4.07 first gear. The three and four speed manuals all have a 1 to 1 final gear. Your T-150 has a 2.99 to 1 ratio. The first gear in the T-18 is awesome in the rocks, but pretty low on the street.

 

[Posi]

May be a better question would be, what T18's would readily fit into a '79 cj7?

None that I know of.
If you use an early Jeep 4.02 first gear T-18 you would need to mod the AMC 150 b-housing and driveshafts
If you use a later Jeep T-18 6.32 first gear you would need an adapter between the Transmission and tcase, mod the AMC 150 b-housing and driveshafts
ford T-18 you would need to do all the above plus a Transmission rear output shaft.

Best way would be to buy a package deal bell, Transmission , and tcase. Then all you have to mod is the driveshafts.

You won't use first gear on the road with a 6.32 T-18 even with 3.54 gears.

You didn't mention driving off road, only on road. You would be ahead of the game if you just re-geared your axles to match your tire size.

 

[jafo]

Another option would be the t176, which has a 4.07 first gear. The three and four speed manuals all have a 1 to 1 final gear. Your t150 has a 2.99 to 1 ratio. The first gear in the t18 is awesome in the rocks, but pretty low on the street.

What jeeps were these in and what mods to fit?

 

[jafo]

None that I know of.
If you use an early Jeep 4.02 first gear T-18 you would need to mod the 150 b-housing and driveshafts
If you use a later Jeep T18 6.32 first gear you would need an adapter between the trans and tcase, mod the 150 b-housing and driveshafts
ford T-18 you would need to do all the above plus a trans rear output shaft.

Best way would be to buy a package deal bell, trans, and tcase. Then all you have to mod is the driveshafts.

You won't use first gear on the road with a 6.32 T18 even with 3.54 gears.

You didn't mention driving off road, only on road. You would be ahead of the game if you just re-geared your axles to match your tire size.

I'm trying to be realistic about it. I live in town and enjoy driving the cj around town. But, I'd like to do some mild trail riding also. I've considered just swapping axle gears and will probably still do that. The low first gear in the T-18 appealed to me because second gear is so close to my current first gear. If I swapped a T-18 into the cj with the 6.32 first gear then maybe raise my axle gearing to say maybe a 3.43 instead of the current 3.54 setup, the low first gear in the T-18 should handle the higher gearing but still be trail friendly and improve highway driving as well as around town. Just my thought. Do you see any holes in this theory?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Leave your R&P alone.
You won't even use 1st gear on the street.
You'll love the 1st gear off-road.........

LG

 

[Posi]

I just think it would have better driving manners between 1st and 3rd not to mention the real low first gear I think would work better with the diff ratio I have.

You won't use first gear on the street unless your towing. So the T-18 and T-150 are basically 3 speeds with the same gearing for street driving.

I'm trying to be realistic about it. I live in town and enjoy driving the cj around town. But, I'd like to do some mild trail riding also. I've considered just swapping axle gears and will probably still do that. The low first gear in the t18 appealed to me because second gear is so close to my current first gear. If I swapped a t18 into the cj with the 6.32 first gear then maybe raise my axle gearing to say maybe a 3.43 instead of the current 3.54 setup, the low first gear in the t18 should handle the higher gearing but still be trail friendly and improve highway driving as well as around town. Just my thought. Do you see any holes in this theory?

For around town use and mild trail riding the T-150 is a good Transmission . The T-150 with 33” tires I would go with 3.73s or 4.10s for better road/trail use.


I'm not trying to discourage you from swamping in the T-18 it's a much better Transmission . However, you will be disappointed if you swap in the T-18 thinking it will be a much better Transmission for the road then a T-150 in relation to gearing.


Now, if the mods and price isn't a factor by all means install the T-18 it's a far superior Transmission . For the trail, you will more then double your crawl ratio.


The least expensive, and most time saving way is to buy a bell/T-18 /20 from a 76-1/2 to 79 CJ, their out there. The 79 is the best choice IMO with reverse over and down. You could also do what Torx suggested as well, and find a T-176 . Again, I would look for a bell/T-176 /300 as a package from an 80-86 CJ. The 300 would be a big boost in offroad gearing compared to the Dana 20 .

 

[Torxhead]

I'm trying to be realistic about it. I live in town and enjoy driving the cj around town. But, I'd like to do some mild trail riding also. I've considered just swapping axle gears and will probably still do that. The low first gear in the t18 appealed to me because second gear is so close to my current first gear. If I swapped a t18 into the cj with the 6.32 first gear then maybe raise my axle gearing to say maybe a 3.43 instead of the current 3.54 setup, the low first gear in the t18 should handle the higher gearing but still be trail friendly and improve highway driving as well as around town. Just my thought. Do you see any holes in this theory?

Another Transmission option would be the NP435,with a little lower 1st gear. I think your current rear gear is good and your can add those lunchbox lockers to them. You might have an issue in the steep asphalt hills, as I do around the 8500 ft level. There is always the low gear Transfer Case addition to help in the rocks.

 

[jafo]

Another trans option would be the NP435,with a little lower 1st gear. I think your current rear gear is good and your can add those lunchbox lockers to them. You might have an issue in the steep asphalt hills, as I do around the 8500 ft level. There is always the low gear transfer case addition to help in the rocks.

I checked this tranny out on Novak's site. This tranny really peaks my interest. It sounds like a straight forward install. It seems cost effective also. I think these might be cheaper and more available.

We don't have anything too steep around my area until you get into the Ozark hills. That gets kind of steep there but not long runs.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

IMO-The 435 is a bullet-proof tranny(my son has one behind a built 401 Interceptor in his CJ5 )from 1T trucks. Downside, SLO to shift and non-sycro 1st(like the T-18 ).
The Jeep T-18 is different than the other T-18 's out there. The input shaft is different and such.
LG

 

[jafo]

I already have a line on two np435's. Buddy of mine I work with mud races early model Broncos and he has two laying around. They are both out of '79 Broncos. Hecs going to take a look at them on their condition and get back with me on a price. Whats a decent 435 worth?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Sorry to say-Don't have a clue as the their value. :dunno:
Post up pictures of the inside so folks here that do know can help you.
LG

 

[jafo]

Sorry to say-Don't have a clue as the their value. :dunno:
Post up pictures of the inside so folks here that do know can help you.
LG

I would but they're at his shop. He mentioned they needed gone through. One is sitting outside and one is inside his shop. I'm aiming at the one that has been stored inside. I'll just have to see if the one outside is still in the truck or taken out.

 

[Posi]

$50-$200

 

[Posi]

Also, if your going with the 435 and spending over $500 to adapt to the Transfer Case I would recommend finding a 2.62 low range Dana 300 to replace the 2.03 low range Dana 20 .

 

[jafo]

Also, if your going with the 435 and spending over $500 to adapt to the t-case I would recommend finding a 2.62 low range D300 to replace the 2.03 low range D20.

I had thought about that. It's all still in the planning stages right now. But I want to get a clear plan and then just start collecting.

 

[jafo]

$50-$200

I was thinking in the same ballpark. We'll see what kind of deal he'll make me. I'm kind of liking the $50 range at this point.

 

[Belizean]

I was thinking in the same ballpark. We'll see what kind of deal he'll make me. I'm kind of liking the $50 range at this point.

$50 sounds like a hell of a price. Must be a good friend. I was looking at one down in Florida last year. Ready to go. Guy was installing V8 with auto. Had been built by Novak and had hydraulic clutch and ready for installation into AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l with adapters for Dana 300 . Said he had $2200 into it and would not come off $1,100