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Shifting The T18

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by colojeepguy, Apr 12, 2023.

  1. Apr 12, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Is the T18 supposed to be spring loaded going into the reverse gate? Mine isn't and it's all too easy to miss the 2-3 shift and wind up going into R.
     
    vtxtasy likes this.
  2. Apr 12, 2023
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Mine are...

    I know, that does not help, but you have something else to do now on the jeep. :D
     
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  3. Apr 12, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Oh great....
     
  4. Apr 12, 2023
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
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    Mines not. I have the old pattern to the right and up. My tower was extremely sloppy. After a cover rebuild with a new cane it's nice and crisp.
     
  5. Apr 12, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Mine feels pretty tight, it just has nothing to prevent you from skipping past 3rd and going over towards reverse.
     
  6. Apr 12, 2023
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    You'll only do that once........
     
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  7. Apr 12, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I've done it a bunch of times...
     
  8. Apr 12, 2023
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The reverse spring is commonly broken / seized in its bore.
     
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  9. Apr 12, 2023
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
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    Yea, mine is stupid easy to miss 3rd and end up in reverse especially if you're not familiar with it. What's worse is when someone thinks it's a 5 speed and grrrrrr. Oopsie
     
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  10. Apr 12, 2023
    52M38-73CJ5

    52M38-73CJ5 Member

    Wenatchee WA
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    I had the same problem with a weak spring. Don't leave it in reverse. Your spring will brake or get weak.

    Take the tower off and move the shift rods to access the spring. It's pretty straight forward to replace.
    Complements of my brother for getting me a spring when he did his.
    T18 spring.jpg
     
  11. Apr 13, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    One of the easier repairs for your list. When I did my Nissan tranny it had a built in mechanical lockout. Stupid me put the dogs in wrong
    when I rebuilt it. Split the case to repair after dropping everything again. Dogs are ok but I guess I didn't get the lockout back together.
    I will live with it as it is only an issue when going from 5th to 4th. Just one of those things to think about when shifting and only one driver.
     
  12. Apr 13, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    This is interesting. I ended up with the newer T-18 that is to the right and back. My spring is good but with the changed pattern, the chances of accidentally hitting reverse in normal driving are far less. Yay me I guess.
     
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  13. Apr 13, 2023
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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  14. Apr 13, 2023
    Jw60

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

    Sedalia MO.
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    I've been lurking trying not to comment how a sm465 darn near grabs the passenger's butt in reverse, sometimes good... sometimes not.:madwife:
     
  15. Apr 13, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    The other shifting problem I'm having is 1st gear is where reverse was with the 3 speed :shock: :lol:
     
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  16. Apr 13, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Since I've got two Jeeps with three speeds and one with the 4 speed, I've got that problem in spades. Always have to remember which Jeep I'm in when finding gears.

    Also two with overdrives and one without. I'm always reaching for the OD shifter in the Jeep without.
     
  17. Apr 13, 2023
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    And then there's the 6 speed in my '06 Ram. Reverse is to the left and down....it has a very strong spring. For 6th gear the shifter has to be pushed over a bit and down. If you don't do that little push it will go back into 4th.
     
    Last edited: Apr 15, 2023
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  18. Apr 14, 2023
    kenb

    kenb Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

    Detroit
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    I swap between driving a 5 speed and a 3 speed. My issue is usually remembering where second gear is when I finish turning a corner. The T90 doesn't like it when you try to shift into first while moving.

    I used to drive a NSG370 6 speed. Reverse is to the right and down. It had a gate to push through but it wasn't very stiff. It took some getting used to shifting from 5 to 6. Not enough outboard pressure it would drop into 4, too much it would try to go into reverse. Not my favorite transmission.
     
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  19. Apr 14, 2023
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I have the Commando with a T14 3 speed, the CJ with the T18, my pickup with a ZF 5 speed, and until recently, a 6 speed Mustang. Gets confusing sometimes!
     
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  20. Apr 14, 2023
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    As someone who had a Pickup with a SM465 - butt wasn't where I would say it was directed... convenient when my girlfriend was sitting next to me though :D

    Wife has bucket seat to far away in the jeep with the SM465.
     
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