Some 3 Speed Transmission Questions.

I'm gathering a better plan for build/restore of the wife's 69 cj (yup, she claimed it). Aside from bodywork, which I know. I've been reading up on drive trains, as I'm far more familiar with 80's cj's.

Well be rebuilding the Dauntless soon.She's wanting to keep the dana 27 upfront & offset dana 44 in the rear. Retain the dana 18 & add a Saturn overdrive. All of this I'm fine with.

The trans is another story. In it's current state it's a rusty mess. Twas full of water when I opened the case. So a rebuild is needed regardless. But before I pull and rebuild it, is there a better 3 speed to go with? I've read that the T14 isn't exactly the strongest trans out there. Should I be looking for a T90, or T15 instead? I'm also good with going with a 4 speed if it'd be better. I'm very familiar with a T176 (could probably rebuild one in my sleep at this point). Get an adapter to go with a T18 or SM465.

I dont know the exact gear ratio for the axles as yet. Been to nasty out to count teeth since the tags are gone. I'll "assume" somewhere between 3:73 & 4:88. Mighty big margin for error right there.

This will be driven a fair amount by her eventually, with some mild trail rides. No rock crawling or mudding. Nothing crazy like.

What is a good option here? Thanks for any input.

 

For your intended use, a T15.

 

The T-15 will need some adapting to a GM engine. It is the strongest of these choices, and is an easy shifter, and the synchromesh 1st makes it easier to drive around town. Supposedly parts are getting scarce. Ken (oldtime) posted a machine-shop style conversion in the builds secrtion (?) and the adapter from Novak is not very expensive. Likely Advance Adapters offers an adapter too.

With an overdrive, I'd go with 4.88s.

All the truck 4-speeds will be heavy shifters. The Ford T-19 is synchro in 1st gear, and could be adapted, but it shifts like a T-18 or similar.

Herm offers the RTS 4-speed, which is a 3+overdrive version of the Ford Top Loader, I believe. Rebuilt RTS 4 Speed Overdrive (3+1) $1350 | Herm The Overdrive Guy Considering this, it should be possible to adapt a different Ford Top Loader to the D18, and use the T-176 top shifter. Herm may be willing to discuss it.

 

The bad news is any transmission that is better than the T14 will require you to relocate the engine.
Actually the T15 is only 5/8" longer than a T14 after it is adapted, but that extra length is probably enough to mess up the propeller shafts if you don't relocate the engine.
T14 is actually a tad lower gearing than a T15.
1969 Dauntless CJ was standard with 3.73 Differential ratio and 4.89 was optional.
4.89 is the ideal ratio to have IF you install an overdrive for reducing hiway RPM's.

 

Keep in mind the other half of the story; the transmission shares the gear oil with the transmission, so your D18 transfer case probably looks the same as the transmission inside.
Your water damage may open up opportunities on transmission options, but rebuilding the D18 has to be part of the big picture.
-Donny

 

Thank you folks. Given me a fair bit to think on here & learned some things.

The misses likes the looks of the RTS-4 & I do as well. But I'm holding off on any decisions until I can get the motor & trans pulled. Then more thoroughly inspected. As I didnt know the the t-case shared oil with the trans. There is oil leaking from the dana 18, so there is some hope there. I've got a another dana 18 case if need be.

Really need to get the T14 torn down. To see the condition of the main shaft & cluster gear.

 

from my experience . running the T 14 . yes I have blew it up a few times . usually the input gear and cluster gear
but I was really hard on it
hey you might get lucky . and all that is just surface rust
last time the thing broke was the boy learning how to drive . 1'st gear got chipped . after he hit house garage wall
but that's another story

 

Does anyone have any word yet whether the Roxor trans can use the same BA10 to SBC/BOP front adapter?

 

Got maybe a long shot question here.

Last week I scored a pair of essentially free 59 ford f100's. Once I got all the crap cleaned out the bed of one, I found a 60 something Ford 3 speed. A ford 3.03 to be exact. Currently a side shift, but from my reading. The T-150 came about from this case (so I read on the interwebz), and a 150 top cover will bolt on without much fuss and an adapter for the dana 18.

Would it even be worthwhile to continue to explore this one, just continue hunting a jeep replacement.

I just hate having useful stuff sitting being useless, & neither truck needs a new trans.

 

Is it syncro'd at all? I found a Ford T9 with a D18 on it last year. It was super grubby on the outside. I thought it was a T98 at first. Sadly, it wasn't.

Super beef but not synchro'd. I sold it.

 

It is. Called the previous owner a little bit ago. He'd forgotten it was in the truck (he's a older gentleman and these trucks sat in his garage since the mid 80s). Once he was reminded about it, he remembered. Said it was synchronized 1st thru 3rd. Seemed pretty proud of that.

I've yet to pop the cover to confirm this.

 

I no old Ford expert. I dug into mine when I found out what it was, and it seems like the only use was to go right back into an old Ford. Took me forever to sell it for basically a case of beer.

 

Just to drop my pennies on the desk. I've had the T15 in my 46 behind a 4.3 vortex and in front of a Dana 20. Motor was around 225 HP. It could handle that and much more. Loved that tranny and am actively looking for another, before we can't find them anymore. It's Rock solid and smooth.

I have a 70+71 CJ-5's, both with Dauntless motors and T14's. I would not change either. Both are 488 geared, both posi units. One is treated like a mutt and one is pampered. No problems with either. No plans to change either. I like the T14.
I am presently building another 46 with a built 231 even fire and T18. I also love the T18. It's fairly better shifting compared to my Dauntless SM 420 combo. That was a little bit of a bugger. So that's it. I think the T14 would not be a bad choice for what your doing and you might find yours cleans up enough the rebuild and become serviceable for your needs. If not, there are still some kicking around to buy that may just need small parts and seals.

I would pull my transfer case and check both tranny and TC out thoroughly prior to making any choices. That's it, more like a half dollars worth, than a few pennies worth. Good luck and these things rebuild so easily. Have at it.

 

I agree (my $.02).