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Military Dana 18

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Sep 20, 2022.

  1. Sep 20, 2022
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I picked up a Dana 18 from a friend of mine last weekend. i am cleaning it up now and fortunately it looked like it was rebuilt at some point because it was honestly too clean inside. He did not rebuild it. It looks to be military with the fill plugs that take the 1/2 ratchet and extend out from the case.

    Two things I noticed about it that i do not remember from other military cases i have had.

    The bottom cover looks to have a second piece of steel supporting the outer edges of the cover.
    Did they do this in the military or was it an after market thing?

    And i noticed the plugged up the holes that allow the oil to share between the gear boxes. i like that idea and will keep it, but i am curious if that too was a military addition.
     
    DanStew, Sep 20, 2022
    #1
  2. Sep 20, 2022
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

    North Central FL
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    Jun 15, 2003
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    :pics: you knew it was coming... :D
     
    Jeepenstein, Sep 20, 2022
    #2
  3. Sep 20, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    I’ve had a couple of those pans, still have one in storage. All the ones I’ve had came off military units, I believe M-38 and a1’s but that could be in error. I can’t answer on the plugged holes but would hazard a guess it has to do with the fording kit. Hopefully someone with more knowledge on that will chime in.
     
    nickmil, Sep 20, 2022
    #3
  4. Sep 22, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Jan 23, 2014
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    4,192
    The military version (at least M38a-1) has an external parking brake, not a drum w/internal shoes like the CJ. If there is a bellhousing, the military version has a threaded fitting for a boot over the clutch cable.
    I have not seen plugs blocking shared oil on the military version. I’ve seen these when a non-stock transmission (like T18) is used.
    I have one of those re-enforced pans too, but its on a Willys Wagon. No idea if its original to that vehicle.
    - Donny
     
    Keys5a, Sep 22, 2022
    #4
  5. Sep 22, 2022
    Tom in RI

    Tom in RI Member

    Rhode Island
    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2008
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    234
    My ‘52 M38 has that style pan. Holes were not plugged in mine. The other military D18 difference is the shifter levers have a threaded bolt as the pin.
     
    Tom in RI, Sep 22, 2022
    #5
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