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T90 To T18 Swap

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by colojeepguy, Aug 5, 2022.

  1. Jan 7, 2023
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    From Novak's site
    I had to look it up and read it again. About to order parts for my t18 so not too much help yet on the install

    Bearing Retainer Modification
    For the first step the services of a machinist may be recommended. The front bearing retainer from the Ford transmission is removed and simply machined down around the large diameter to where it will be a .005" slip-fit into the bearing retainer hole in the back of the GM bellhousing. Take an accurate measurement (and with the proper tools -- calipers work best) from the hole in the bellhousing before doing this. The small diameter of the Ford bearing retainer is also machined down so it will slip-fit the GM clutch release bearing. Next, the retainer is then shortened by 7/16”. Following this is some fairly straightforward work on the Ford transmission case.
     
  2. Jan 7, 2023
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    Do you have an adjustable pivot ball under the fork?
     
  3. Jan 7, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Success!
    20230107_082319.jpg

    I "think" what happened is I didn't get the long pilot bushing that AA supplies with their kit fully seated in the crankshaft. I'm guessing the splines of the input shaft were touching it. I started the engine and let it run for awhile with the Jeep in gear and the clutch pedal pushed down...now it seems to be working fine!
    I just drove my jeep for the first time in 5 months!
     
  4. Jan 7, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Still much to do....mainly trans cover and exhaust mods.
     
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  5. Jan 7, 2023
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
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    Feb 17, 2013
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    Good job Doug!!!!
     
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  6. Jan 7, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    :bananatool:
     
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  7. Jan 7, 2023
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    upload_2023-1-7_14-47-5.png
    Join me in the dark side of 6.32:1
     
  8. Jan 7, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    1st thing I did was back it out in the alley and put it in low-low and crawl along at 0.5 mph.
    :bananatool:
     
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  9. Jan 7, 2023
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    7.05/1.....
     
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  10. Jan 7, 2023
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Rub it in you obsolete sm420 guys ..
     
  11. Jan 7, 2023
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    South Lake Tahoe CA
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    Hey, I resemble that remark...
     
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  12. Jan 7, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Pisst... he has an auto.
     
  13. Jan 7, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I've wheeled with a guy running jpet d-18 gears and an sm465

    He looked just like him too.
     
  14. Jan 9, 2023
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    6.55 - right in the sweat spot, but she is a pig.
     
  15. Jan 23, 2023
    david vaca

    david vaca New Member

    New York
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    ***does anyone knows how to install a backup switch in the shift so it will turn on when shift into reverse?***
     
  16. Jan 23, 2023
    danielbuck

    danielbuck Uncle Buck

    USA
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    Jan 22, 2013
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    I've seen a photo of someone's setup that had the top cover where the shift rails are drilled and tapped and a ball switch inserted in there for reverse lights. Personally, me I just have a switch on the dash with an indicator light so I don't accidentally leave it on.
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2023
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  17. Jan 23, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Most of the later tops already had that provision. There were some that had a switch installed at the end of the shift rail but drilling and tapping may be required. You might see if you can find one of the later tops with the provision.
     
  18. Feb 15, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Finally working on a trans cover for this thing...I took 2 stock ones, cut them apart and Frankensteined them together....
    20230205_160401.jpg

    20230212_122355.jpg

    Now to finish welding, grinding and smoothing it.
     
  19. Feb 16, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Looking nice. Please post up pictures when done and installed. I’m going to have to do something like this for my NV-4500 install on the CJ-6 and might on the RTS on the CJ-5.
     
  20. Feb 16, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    It's actually been pretty problematic...The T18 shift tower is forward of the T90, and has a protrusion on the drivers side. I had 1 standard shift cover, and 1 that had an extra cover built into it on the passenger side (you can see this in the 1st photo above). My idea was to cut the middle out of this one, turn it around, and graft it into the other cover. The 1st problem is that the extra cover wasn't quite big enough to clear the T18 so I had to build a bigger one out of sheet metal. The 2nd problem is that the whole thing tapers front to back, which leads to some funky angles trying to build this.
    I think I would have been better off to build a whole new one from scratch.
     
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