On the way to Moab I lost fifth gear. So this seems like a perfect time to look for a new choice for a transmission. I was hoping to swap in some sort of granny low four speed. I don't need the five speed any more with 4:56's and soon to be 35's the 1:1 fourth will be plenty for the freeway so I was considering the T-18. I was looking for some advice in this area. For instance is the imput shaft on the AX-5 and the T-18 the same, in addition is the pilot bearing the same. Also do I need to change anything on the T-case side.
thanks for your help
On the way to Moab I lost fifth gear. So this seems like a perfect time to look for a new choice for a transmission. I was hoping to swap in some sort of granny low four speed. I don't need the five speed any more with 4:56's and soon to be 35's the 1:1 fourth will be plenty for the freeway so I was considering the T-18. I was looking for some advice in this area. For instance is the imput shaft on the AX-5 and the T-18 the same, in addition is the pilot bearing the same. Also do I need to change anything on the T-case side.
thanks for your help
I am pretty sure it could be done but I don't have the parts to tell ya for sure. Do a search in this forum for "T18a" as I assume that is the model you want. The dana 20 behind it would be the shiat but the output is on the wrong side for a stock axle, doesn't bother me much but it might chap your @ss. IMHO forget the 231 if you do this swap, you would be much better off getting a GM 60 up front and getting better gears in the 20.
You should also consider the SM420 the gears aren't as far apart as the T18a.
i would not run a t-18 behind a 4 cylinder. first off you cannot start in granny so what you have is a 3 speed and a 4 banger cannot withstand the wide variances in engine rpm that shifting between the gears. for example the 1st gear is like 3.2 compared with 4.3 which is about that you have now second is about 2 to one you would have to redline it with each shift to avoid stalling in the next gear. just my .02
fatguy,
You might consider finding an early Ford Bronco NP435 to factory D20 setup. My brother sold one of these a couple years ago for cheap. Why? Bolts up to your engine; the D20 is the Ford version with a left hand drop. 6.69/3.34/1.66/1.00/8.26R. Most of these came with 2.03:1 low range t.case, but you can use a 2.46:1 gearset too. That's the one my bro sold. The best part of this is the 1" thick factory adapter between the trans and t.case. The overall length (which you worry about on a YJ) is short, maybe the shortest with an all-Ford stock, left hanging t.case set up.
regards, as always, jefe
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