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Swapping Dana 18s.... Differences

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Oct 12, 2022.

  1. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    So I have a t86 (with T90 guts) and a large hole single stick Dana 18. This was pulled with a V6 and it all is going into my CJ2a. I rebuilt the Dana 18 and was going to make my own twin stick setup to work in the Jeep. Well I was not happy with my sticks and i realized that something happened inside my Tcase that the shifter got stuck. I had a friend of mine who had a another Dana 18 complete. Originally i was going to just swap the shifters to the large hole, but when i got the recent one, it was rebuilt at some time so i decided why not use it.

    I pulled off the large hole from the T86/90 and realized it has the large hole and the cast bearing retainer that fits to the back of the transmission and it is too large to fit the other Dana 18.

    So I am guessing the answer is i need to keep the large hole dana 18 and swap the shifters over. BUT if there is a smaller bearing retainer that will work to mount the smaller hole dana 18 and the T86/90 please let me know what year i need to look for.
     
    DanStew, Oct 12, 2022
    #1
  2. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Just use the rear bearing retainer for a T-90. This allows you to use the bearing as the index for the small hole 18. Save that T-86 rear bearing retainer for future use though.
     
    nickmil, Oct 12, 2022
    #2
  3. duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Yep, and those are a dime a dozen.
     
    duffer, Oct 12, 2022
    #3
  4. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I guess I need to find one, i do not have a t90 retainer.
     
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2022
    DanStew, Oct 12, 2022
    #4
  5. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    I think I have one in my parts drawer. If I do you can have it for shipping costs if you can’t find one local. I’ll look this afternoon.
     
    nickmil, Oct 12, 2022
    #5
  6. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I did find one so I hope to get it back together
     
    DanStew, Oct 12, 2022
    #6
  7. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I got the adapter plate yesterday and bolted the Dana 18 to the transmission.

    Then BOOM!! I try to put on the bull gear and no fitty. I mean really no fitty.. the spline count is not 6 but looks like 10. This bull gear came with the case so i think it was just thrown in with it.
    And of course the one that came with the big hole Dana 18 does not work. I do have a bull gear somewhere in my pandoras box, so i am hoping that one will be good to go.
     
    DanStew, Oct 19, 2022
    #7
    Fireball likes this.
  8. Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The fun never stops.
     
    Tom_Hartz, Oct 19, 2022
    #8
  9. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    T14 is 10 spline....everything else is 6 spline.
     
    colojeepguy, Oct 19, 2022
    #9
  10. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I saw that on a chart. Weird though because my friend who i got the trasnfercase from doesnt have anything with a T14 in his yard. I guess I will find a new home for it
     
    DanStew, Oct 19, 2022
    #10
  11. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    If you can’t find yours Dan I have a 10 spline 29 tooth input gear.
     
    nickmil, Oct 19, 2022
    #11
  12. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    thanks Nick, I need a 6 spliner. The 10 i have just happened to find its way into the parts i guess.
     
    DanStew, Oct 19, 2022
    #12
  13. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Ahhh, ok. I misunderstood and though it was other way around. I know Novak and AA used to make transmission adapters and shaft kits for the 10 spline and thought that is what you have.
    I may have a 6 spline too. I need to check as I don’t want to break up gear sets.
     
    nickmil, Oct 19, 2022
    #13
  14. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I went through my boxes and found the bull gear... and it fit. YAY!!!! One thing off the list of things to do.
     
    DanStew, Oct 19, 2022
    #14
  15. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Excellent! Just make sure the tooth count is correct.
     
    nickmil, Oct 20, 2022
    #15