transmission swap

[charlieg532000]

will a T-18 Transmission fit in my 1980 CJ7 with a 4 cylinder stock engine and Transfer Case with out any modifications to drive line etc?? thanks for your help.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Here's a good link for Transmission swaps...

Novak Jeep Conversions - Home

But short answer for you (my assumption), is no I believe you will need some modifications. The least of which to the drive shaft lengths. The SR4 is longer than the T-18 is.

Bell housing, clutch (obviously) will need replacement, I'm not sure what Transfer Case you're running, though I assume Dana 300 ... but that "may" ned adapting as well (been a while since I read up on it. : The Borg-Warner T18 & T19 Transmissions - Novak Conversions )

Hope this helps... Also if you dont already have it (the T-18 ) make sure it's the wide ratio (6.32:1 first gear) and a CJ version or you know the input and output will need addressing as well.



~ JR

 

[Jawbox]

What do you think about the 4-speed swaps mentioned by Novak? They both seem to have nice low firsts, though they're both still 1:1 in forth.

"This Transmission is popularly replaced with the SM420 and SM465 transmissions, since they share a similar bellhousing bolt pattern and compact installations."

 

[Torxhead]

How about a 4 to 1 kit instead? First, I would think about some lower differential gears to help you push around those 35s.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

The 1980 CJ - I4 is a Chevy motor with a Chevy bolt pattern. To me the best options for swaps require the least amount of fuss, muss, and adaptors. With a Chevy motor it only makes sence to use a Chevy Transmission such as a SM 465 to get the granny low.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/sm465.htm

 

[BusaDave9]

How about a 4 to 1 kit instead? First, I would think about some lower differential gears to help you push around those 35s.

Or a bigger engine to go with the bigger tires.

 

[BusaDave9]

I had an '82 CJ7 . I installed a ford T-18 .I used an adapter from Advanced Adapters but Novak makes the same adapter. This adapter makes the T-18 as long as your SR4 . Going this route means you don't need to modify the lengths of the drive shafts.
To mate it up to the Dana 300 I had to replace the main (output) shaft of the T-18 .
I had a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l strait six and to bolt the T-18 up to the bellhousing I had to drill and tap 4 holes. I can't say if the 4 cylinder bellhousing will be that easy. A call to Novak will answer those questions.

 

[dtmizx]

I am in the same boat with a T-4 but mine has not given up yet. But in preparation for the inevitable I have found a that Collins Bro has a T-18 out of a Jeep for $895.00.
Someone on this forum with more experience may be able to conform or rebut my assumption but this should be a direct bolt up with no adapter required. But I think the T-18 is shorter so you may need to do something with your drive shafts.

Lets us know how you solved your dilemma it will be of great value to others in the future.

 

[BusaDave9]

I am in the same boat with a T-4 but mine has not given up yet. But in preparation for the inevitable I have found a that Collins Bro has a T-18 out of a Jeep for $895.00.
Someone on this forum with more experience may be able to conform or rebut my assumption but this should be a direct bolt up with no adapter required. But I think the T-18 is shorter so you may need to do something with your drive shafts.

Lets us know how you solved your dilemma it will be of great value to others in the future.

Please fill out your profile so we know what we are dealing with. Since you say you have a T-4 I assume you have a CJ from the '80s. Jeep only used the T-18 transmissions in the '70s. Those CJs had a Dana 20 Transfer Case . Yours has a Dana 300 Transfer Case . That's a big difference! That T-18 is more trouble than it's worth. Get a T-176 or a ford T-18 with an adapter from Novak or Advance Adapters.

EDIT: we are having this same discussion here: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/transmission-swap-17994/