Transmission swap?

[ozark nate]

hello guys,my name is Nate. I have an 82 CJ7 with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l cid.and a T-4 Transmission that is jumping out of 1st gear,i have found a T-18 ,what would be involved in using the T-18 , or would it be best to have my T-4 rebuilt?thank you.

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

Use the T-18 .


This won't be too expensive Dear! That's what I keep saying. Over and over again.

 

[BusaDave9]

I've done this.
I got a Ford T-18 and an adapter from Advance Adapters (Novak has one too)
The adapter is makes the T-18 the same length as the T-4 and T-5 so you don't have to modify the lengths of the drive shafts.
Use a Ford T-18 because the swap will be easier. The Jeep T18s came in too many variations and they were always mated to the Dana 20 . The input shaft of the ford is the correct length. It will mate up to your jeep bellhousing but you will have to drill and tap 4 holes. I used a Centerforce II clutch. You need a pressure plate intended for a Jeep and a friction plate intended for a ford (needs to match the input T-18 shaft) I called Centerforce and they knew the part numbers I needed.

Then the Transfer Case end. To make this work the kit includes a new main (output) shaft for the T-18 . It's easy to work on the T-18 .
Here's a Ford T-18 with an adapter to mate it up to a Dana 300

Click here for more info on the T18 Transmission

You say you already have a T-18 ? What's it out of?

 

[BusaDave9]

If the T-18 you have is not out of a Ford you will have to modify the lengths of the drive shafts.
If it is out of a Jeep then it was mated to a Dana 20 and you will need an adapter for that.
If it was in a full sized jeep it may have a long input shaft and factory adapter at the bellhousing like this T-18 :

None of these problems are too big to prevent you from installing the T-18 .
The T-18 was the best Transmission the factory ever put into a jeep and the T-4 (with it's brother the T-5 ) were the worst.

The weak Transmissions of the '80s

Here are some links regarding the T-18 swap:
Swapping a CJ T-18 into a CJ
Swapping T-18 into your Jeep

 

[wm69]

If the T18 you have is not out of a Ford you will have to modify the lengths of the drive shafts.
If it is out of a Jeep then it was mated to a Dana 20 and you will need an adapter for that.
If it was in a full sized jeep it may have a long input shaft and factory adapter at the bellhousing like this T18:

None of these problems are too big to prevent you from installing the T18.
The T18 was the best transmission the factory ever put into a jeep and the T4 (with it's brother the T5) were the worst.

The weak Transmissions of the '80s

Here are some links regarding the T18 swap:
Swapping a CJ T-18 into a CJ
Swapping T-18 into your Jeep

T-4 and T-5 > SR4 :driving:

Depending on what you want to spend, a T-176 might be a cheaper route if you can find a used one. T-18 is a GREAT heavy tranny, but the adapters are $$$ and they aren't sycronized so they don't shift too easily.

If I were running huge tires and a V8, T-18
If I were running <33 tires I would go with T-176 (assuming you can find a used one for $200-300)

In fact, since I noticed you're in Arkansas, there's a guy in Siloam Springs with a T177 for sale on the Fayetteville Craigslist.

 

[Kane]

Only first gear is not synchronized in the T-18 . The rest are.

 

[sheddiggs]

Nope, 1st and reverse aren't syncro'd.

 

[Kane]

Ok reverse but I hope you are stopped when shifting to reverse anyway. I never have a grinding issue with mine for either gear.

 

[wm69]

Ok reverse but I hope you are stopped when shifting to reverse anyway. I never have a grinding issue with mine for either gear.

LOL true on reverse!

T-176 /T-4 /T-5 all shift like car transmissions, T-18 shifts like a truck Transmission . T19 is a sycro'd T-18 , right?

I like my T-176 's, but then again, I'm only running 31's with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . If I went 35's or anything bigger than a AMC 304 I'd do a T-18 or SM465

 

[CJ]

~~~ T19 is a sycro'd T18, right? ~~~

T19 is the same as a T-18 but with 1st also syncro'd.

 

[tarry99]

T19 is the same as a T18 but with 1st also syncro'd.

Yes, Except the T-19 is next to impossible to find.......

 

[frhrwa]

love the T-18 .. granny low.. had it in both my 75 and my 78.. fantastic for deep inclines or climbing, granny low, and low transfer.. can't beat it..