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Sm465/dana18 Clearance Issue

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by supertrooper, Feb 26, 2019.

  1. supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    I was trying to bolt up my dana 18 to a sm465 im going to be installing into my jeep and i ran into a little issue. The t case twin stick shift lever tower is hitting the side of the transmission preventing the t case from lining up with the adapter. Im using the novak adapter and i didnt see any mention of a twin stick having clearance issues in the instructions. Anyone have any tips to get them to align besides grinding the shift lever tower until it fits?
     
    supertrooper, Feb 26, 2019
    #1
  2. Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    nope . I asked nick . when I did my T18 - D18 twin stick conversion
    he told me that grinding twin stick post was normal install
    I also ground a little off side of transmission case too
    he did tell me that a trans adapter from a scout will clock to transfer case a little more to right . if you could find one
     
    Twin2, Feb 26, 2019
    #2
  3. TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    I too think that is normal for the twin-stick set-up in your application. I am building the same with a single-stick D18 and remember reading that the twin-stick requires grinding/clearancing. I thought it was in the Novak instructions, but I am not positive.
     
    TIm E, Feb 26, 2019
    #3
  4. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Yep, normal to grind the twin stick housing when adapting to an sm465.
     
    Mcruff, Feb 26, 2019
    #4
  5. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Novak setup on mine - like all the others some grinding involved. My SM465 had a web at that spot too I had to take off.
     
    Warloch, Feb 26, 2019
    #5
  6. jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Good info here. I have the SM465 and a twin stick sitting on the shelf waiting to install.
     
    jzeber, Feb 26, 2019
    #6
  7. 3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Me too
    I had to do a little grinding on the d20 twin stick assy and also on the SM465
     
    3b a runnin, Feb 26, 2019
    #7
  8. scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Doesn't take much grinding to get it to clear. I also notched the transmission rib to clear the shifter rod set screw.
    [​IMG]
    I know it's a little blurry. It was hard to get in there with a cell phone.
    [​IMG]
     
    scott milliner, Feb 26, 2019
    #8
    supertrooper likes this.
  9. supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    Ok, i was starting to get worried that i installed the wrong adapter. Thanks for the pictures scott. Good thing i did a test fit on the bench instead of in the jeep.
     
    supertrooper, Feb 27, 2019
    #9
    jpflat2a likes this.
  10. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    I had my whole drive train swinging on my hoist BEFORE sliding it under the jeep to position things. I had even cleared the motor mounts and everything out so I could set it in 'just right' and redo all the attachment points.

    Sounds like a lot of work, but after doing it the 'other way' since, it was MUCH easier, cleaner, and quicker to do it that way. Just FYI - I used a nice set of Novak motor mounts that adjust to make it complete with custom tranny/tcase mounts to the frame.
     
    Warloch, Feb 27, 2019
    #10
  11. supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    I got the transmission and transfer case to fit. I had to take about 3/16" off the side and top of the shifter housing plus a little grinding on the transmission case. Also had to clearance the 2wd/4wd lever to clear the top cover flange. Thanks again scott for the pics and tip about notching the rib for set screw access, it helped alot.
     
    supertrooper, Mar 4, 2019
    #11
    scott milliner and Twin2 like this.
  12. BadGoat

    BadGoat How High Can You Climb?

    You may also have a clearance issue with the tunnel as the SM465 is larger then the stock unit. Admittedly, I'm not using the stock motor or motor mounts. I had to custom make a new tunnel and run a 1 inch body lift to get everything to clear properly.

    Mike
     
    BadGoat, Mar 26, 2019
    #12