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Replace The T14?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jbjeeps, Mar 1, 2021.

  1. Mar 1, 2021
    jbjeeps

    jbjeeps Member 2022 Sponsor

    The Idaho side...
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    A stock 1970 CJ5 could have some pretty decent drivetrain parts: Dauntless V-6, 4" bore D18 and stout D44 rear axle. It also has the T14 transmission, referred to as a "light duty" transmission. What transmission(s) can replace it if a person wants something more heavy duty?
     
  2. Mar 1, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    The most common replacement would be sm420, sm465 or t18....fwiw, I've used my T14 pretty hard and it has held up behind v6 power. The biggest downside I have with t14 is not so much the durability or strength, but rather the lack of low crawling first gear.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2021
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  3. Mar 1, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    I'm near the end of swapping a Ford T18 into my '66.
    My next project CJ3B will have a Jeep T18, that is ready to go.
     
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  4. Mar 1, 2021
    jbjeeps

    jbjeeps Member 2022 Sponsor

    The Idaho side...
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    Okay, good to know, thanks for your reply. Yes, I’ve read that 1st in the T14 is pretty tall. Do you ever drive around in low range? I suppose a person could put some lower gears in the D18.
     
  5. Mar 1, 2021
    jbjeeps

    jbjeeps Member 2022 Sponsor

    The Idaho side...
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    Sounds like you’re keeping busy! Love those 3B’s!
     
  6. Mar 1, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    The T14 has a 3.1 1st gear - pretty standard for 3speeds. Not sure I understand you question about driving around in low range?....do you mean on the street? Whenever I am off road 4-wheeling, its in low range, and I wheel it often and hard. I did put the Tera Low gears into the D18 to get a bit more crawl....with the T14, and 4.88 axles gearing, it has a crawl ratio of about 47....With 33s, it would be nicer to have a CR near 60, but it works. The T14 is synchronized in all 3 forward gears (unlike the T90 with is not synchro'd for 1st)...it drives nice and easy on the street, although it has a 'looser' feel than the T90, and so far, 7 years of hard wheeling and 30k+ miles of all around driving, it hasn't blown up. If you do decide to swap it, research the output spline count - most all jeep transmissions used 6-spline output into the D18, whereas the v6 T14 used a 10 spline output. So if you make the swap to something else, you may have to deal with your D18 input gear/Warn OD bowl gear...or you can swap the mainshaft in the 4 speed to a 10spline output using a kit from Novak.
     
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  7. Mar 1, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    I would not call the T-14 a "light duty" transmission. If you abuse it you can break it, but it's fine for the vehicle it was meant for.

    It's not up to V8 power, but ok with the 225. If you want a stronger 3-speed, you could go with the T-15. The T-15 will hold up to V8 power pretty well, and was the standard transmission for Jeep trucks and wagons with the 360 V8.
     
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  8. Mar 1, 2021
    jackdog

    jackdog Member

    Finger Lakes NY
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    I use the T-14 in my builds. Always seems to hold up well when not abused. The input shafts to the 225 V6s are a little hard to find.
     
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  9. Mar 1, 2021
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
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    I swaped in a sm465 in mine. It wasnt cheap but it was the best upgrade i have done so far.
     
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  10. Mar 1, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    an sm420 has a lower first gear, and is shorter, so that's another option, but you can find one made in the early 80's at BEST, so they're gonna need work. we've got a chevy with an sm465, and it's a rock hard transmission.
     
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  11. Mar 1, 2021
    Play Dead

    Play Dead New Member

    Oceano, CA
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    Cost of adapters + time to install + new clutch t/o bearing + mounting to tc crossmember + cutting/fabricating new floorboard and tranny tunnel + drive shafts/yokes +neutral safety switch and reverse light wiring.
    Anything other than stock is a very involved process. There is no “easy” swap. The T14 is a great tranny behind a v6 or even a mild v8. No trans will last if abused. Jeeps are “light duty trucks” and the T14 is plenty adequate depending on driving style.
     
  12. Mar 1, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Coming from the guy how JUST posted about the SM465 swap in his early CJ.:confused: But you are correct. :rofl:
     
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  13. Mar 1, 2021
    Play Dead

    Play Dead New Member

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    I got the Jeep with the gm tranny installed.
    I had a stock drivetrain ‘41 and ‘65 4cyl 3 speeds. And a ‘66 dauntless with a 3 speed. And I promise that the tranny was never the weakest link. I know I’ve spent too much time worrying about parts/mods. My new philosophy is to “enjoy it till it breaks and then enjoy fixing it”
     
  14. Mar 1, 2021
    jbjeeps

    jbjeeps Member 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks again for the good reply. Yes, I was thinking about driving it on the street. I'm doing some advance homework on a vehicle I might be buying. I'm glad to hear the T14 is more stout than I thought, based on other things I'd read. I'd prefer not to have to put in a different transmission, sounds like that won't be necessary. I wondered if you put the Tera Low gears in the D18.
     
  15. Mar 1, 2021
    jbjeeps

    jbjeeps Member 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks to all for the good replies! Glad to hear the T14 is more stout than I thought.
     
  16. Mar 1, 2021
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    I'm going to disagree a bit.
    I've seen a number of broken T14's, including my own. Mine lost a tooth on the input shaft simply driving. Parts are also hard to come by. I consider them a fragile transmission and the weakest link in the V6 drivetrain. That being said, I wouldn't pass up a chance to purchase a solid CJ on the grounds of the T14.
    I upgraded to a T18 and never looked back.
     
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  17. Mar 1, 2021
    Twin2

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    I've had my fair share of T14's bite the dust
    might have been to hard on them :whistle:
    yep the replacement parts are getting scarce
     
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  18. Mar 1, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Maybe one way to think about it is not to initially plan to replace/upgrade, but if it dies down the road, then you go ahead with upgrade instead if repair. It might surprise you with how long it lasts, not to mention there are no 'easy' or cheap swaps for it. I'd be more focused on upgrading steering, maybe brakes (the 10" bendix style on v6 models are reasonable compared to the 9") before worrying about the T14.
     
  19. Mar 2, 2021
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Any T14 you find now is like what.....50 years old? Age certainly takes its toll on these things and who knows how any of the previous owners treated it. It’s a crap shoot. But my T14, though worn (or maybe despite being worn) has never failed me. Running 33s for decades.
     
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  20. Mar 2, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    This would be a great choice, if you don't need/want a low 1st gear. Stronger than the T14, but similar in size so not a lot of modification to install. They can be tough to find these days, and you'd have to get an aftermarket adapter to the V6.
     
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