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need 4 speed advice

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Tedscj3, Dec 30, 2005.

  1. Dec 30, 2005
    Tedscj3

    Tedscj3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2005
    Messages:
    22
    Hi all. I am swapping in a 225/t-14/dana 18 into a cj3a, I talked to novak about a rebuild for the t-14 and was told the best thing to do is swap in a SM-465 truck 4 speed with compound low 1st gear. I only found 2 locally for 300$. What are other popular swaps and what are the opinions of the 465. It is big and heavy but I am told its a one time swap. I am also running a worn OD on the transfer case so the 4 speed isnt a huge need. Thanks.
     
    Tedscj3, Dec 30, 2005
    #1
  2. Dec 30, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Keep in mind the 4 speed will only add the granny low - it won't add anything on the top end so you'd still use your OD. I have a T18 4spd, and plan to add the OD at some point as the granny low and OD gives the biggest spread of gearing choices.

    T18, SM420 are other options.
     
    Boyink, Dec 30, 2005
    #2
  3. Dec 30, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Boyink, Dec 30, 2005
    #3
  4. Dec 30, 2005
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
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    Seems like the way to go since your swaping in. If I could afford I would want to do that. With your overdrive would have a very usable Jeep. Price within a range I've seen priced between $100-$450 or so.
     
    jd7, Dec 30, 2005
    #4
  5. Dec 30, 2005
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The T18, NP435, SM420 and SM465 all would work well, and are roughly equivalent. Unless you find a Jeep T18, most of the cost will be for the conversion kit. I expect the cheapest route would be a Jeep truck T-18, which will bolt up to your D18 using the stock T-18 adapter. You then need to buy a new Ford T-18 input shaft for the T-18, and redrill/modify your bellhousing. Someone here has done this - maybe they could comment.

    Check Novak's site for more transmission information: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transmission_gateway.htm

    There are other possibilities too ... different 3-speeds and close-ratio or overdrive 4-speeds. 5-speeds and automatics will be more difficult because of their overall length in the short chassis.
     
    timgr, Dec 30, 2005
    #5
  6. Dec 30, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,524
    keep in mind the overdrive for the t14 is unique to only the T14.
    if you change transmissions, a new overdrive would be required which will add $$ to the project
    FYI
     
    jpflat2a, Dec 30, 2005
    #6
  7. Jan 3, 2006
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    scott milliner, Jan 3, 2006
    #7
  8. Jan 4, 2006
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    Jun 24, 2004
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    1,165
    The overall length of the T18 and transfer case adapter is only 3/4" longer than the T14 with the stock bell housing adapter. This is when you adapt the trans directly to the earlier short GM bell housing. The adaption itself isn't hard and involves changing the disk, modifying the bell housing to take the bottom two bolts, and machining the input bearing retainer to fit the GM hole. I turned the input shaft to accept the GM pilot, so I can replace it with another stock unit.
     
    jeepdaddy2000, Jan 4, 2006
    #8
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