Question About "72" T-14

This is my first 3 speed T-14. I believe it is totally stock. If I understand the spec's, it is synchro'd into 1st gear, however, I can only smoothly down shift into 1st at about 2-3mph, and really, I feel like I am just huntin' and findin' it. It really is no big deal, except that having been so used to a 4 speed, my muscle memory keeps taking over and I keep trying to drop it in at about 10mph or less. And it does not like that and lets me know real quick. Is it truly that low geared that for downshifting this is normal behavior, or, is there something missing in there, or, am I reading the spec's wrong? I am the worst backyard mechanic so my knowledge of gear ratios is minimal at best. Thanks

 

A '72 should have a T-14 with the 232 or 258. You should be able to downshift into 1st at 10 mph. You don't really need to downshift to 1st on the street... you can pull away in second as long as you are moving at a walking pace.

Just to be certain, you have a 1972 Jeep CJ-5 with a 232 or 258 inline 6 and a 3-speed transmission. The transmission will have a tag under one of the top cover bolts with "T-14A" stamped in and a "13-02" cast into the driver's side of the case.

First I would try a clutch adjustment. Make sure you are completely releasing the clutch when you are shifting. You should also be able to put the transfer case in neutral, engine running with the clutch engaged and shift through all the forward gears.

The transmission has brass blocking rings that act as clutches to match the speed of gears when you shift. This is "synchromesh." You could have a 1st gear blocking ring that's worn out, or the syncho hub is broken, or the transmission was assembled incorrectly. If it does not shift right, you likely have a mechanical problem.

NB you will wear out the 1st blocking ring way faster if you do a lot of unnecessary downshifting into 1st at a relatively high speed. Relax, take it easy, and shift slowly and sparingly. The AMC sixes pull really well from low speed, so there's no need to wind them out or downshift a lot. Imagine grandpa driving his old farm pickup ... all you need to do is putt around and keep up with traffic. Shift to neutral and roll up to a stop - if you don't have to fully stop, drop into second and continue. At 20 or so, slide into third and you're done until you have to stop again.

 

Hey thanks for the info and the quick response. That is almost exactly the way I drive it, (it is a I6 232) especially since the area I am in which is fairly rural doesn't really require a lot of shifting or high speed driving. I will take you advice for determining if there is a mechanical cause, but, really, if there is, it doesn't seem to be affecting it much, there is no strange noises, it shifts well on upshifts, and I don't feel anything through the lever that makes me feel there are parts floating around were they shouldn't be. Thanks again for the info.!

 

When was the last time the gear oil was changed?

 

That's a good point ... You might also read the tech library article about GL4. Might help your shifting.

If this is a new car to you, I'd suggest you change all the fluids. I always do when I get a new-old car, and I also change the belts and hoses unless they look brand new.

 

My '73 shifts fine, no problems down shifting into first. Like Tim said, and like he told me when I bought my Jeep... change all the fluids so you know what you got and see if that helps out any. You shouldn't have to work or wait on the shifts... I didn't really change anything about the way I drive the Jeep versus other manual vehicles, except for the fact that it is only a 3 speed. So... when slow turning I don't necessarily shift into 2nd like I would on most cars. My biggest hangup was training myself that Reverse is NOT First.

-Troy

 

Yep, I have also found it doesn't like shifting into reverse when downshifting, transmissions are funny that way.