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Tera Low

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by anthony, Mar 1, 2009.

  1. Mar 2, 2009
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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  2. Mar 2, 2009
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Re: Terra Low

    I narrowed my search to the T18 and SM465 with a lean on the SM465. I have not done a T18 swap before and all the different permutations of the T18 made me a little leery of the T18s I would run into. As it turned out I have purchased 4 SM465s over the last couple years (not finding a suitable T18 yet) – the last 2 I paid $150 for both with NP205s still on them.

    I am very happy with the SM465 swap I did, and have 2 more on the schedule for the next couple years. With AA and Novak both having short adaptors it makes the fit much better (other than she still hangs down, but nothing is going to hurt it).
     
  3. Mar 2, 2009
    anthony

    anthony Member

    redding ca.
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    I'm going to change my signature, correct my mistakes and update. Also trying to add more pictures, but our new cammera has made things difficult, picture content to large. The trans that I have always had in the jeep is a t-14a.
     
  4. Mar 2, 2009
    anthony

    anthony Member

    redding ca.
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    I'm now starting to lean towords the sm465. Finding parts can make thing difficult.
     
  5. Mar 2, 2009
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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  6. Mar 2, 2009
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    look or ask for genuine Spicer products
    those listed are most likely foreign made, Spain, etc.
     
  7. Mar 2, 2009
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Terra low vs. 4 speed ?

    On the plus side the Terra Low (3.15 gears) should easily fit into your 4" index (large hole) Spicer model 18
    with a little case grinding. Certainly a much less involved installation than a 4 speed tranny.

    The Terra Low downside is that your modified transfer case will no longer allow the same top speed when engaged in 4wd.
    In other words you won't be cruising 30 MPH on the gravel roads when its in 4WD.

    IMHO the installation of a 4 speed is the most versatile objective.
    If one wants to further evolve toward exclusive hard core crawling the Terra Low becomes a future step in that direction.
    Determined hard core crawlers will benefit from both the transmission and the ultra low transfer cases.

    Some body asked whats a model 27 rear ? That belongs to the 2WD DJ models.
     
  8. Mar 2, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Also used in the Scout 80 and 800.
     
  9. Mar 2, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    True enough, but it does not seem like much of a limitation to me.

    Your top speed without winding out the engine will be about 20 mph in low range with the Tera gears. To me, that's plenty of overlap with high range.

    It may be less convenient to have to stay in high range cruising up to the trailhead on dirt roads. However, in my experience, there are not a lot of trails where you go from 30 mph (dirt road speeds) down to crawling speed, and then back again, often enough to make the switch from low to high range burdensome.
     
    Last edited: Mar 2, 2009
  10. Mar 2, 2009
    oldtime

    oldtime oldtime

    St. Charles,...
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    Tim,
    Appreciate your perspective.
    Yeah I agree 20 MPH is a good average top speed for the Terra Low in 4WD.
    Of course the exact figure really depends on a lot of specifics.

    Here in the Ozark region we have a lot of backcountry gravel roads
    crossed or disected by rocky streams. So for me 30 mph in 4WD is often a really good thing.
    The off road area one frequents obviously has its effect upon the most desired of Jeep components.
     
  11. Mar 2, 2009
    anthony

    anthony Member

    redding ca.
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    Good points! You guy are realy talking me into a trany swap unless I have t-case issues, with would be unlikely since I just went through the model 18, new bearings and small parts.
     
  12. Mar 2, 2009
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
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    Wait till you ask if you should get another Jeep or not. R)
     
  13. Mar 2, 2009
    anthony

    anthony Member

    redding ca.
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    I'm already looking. Will have to sneak it home. If I ask I already know what the answer will be.
     
  14. Mar 2, 2009
    fdpwr2a

    fdpwr2a New Member

    NWMO
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    I swapped in a 420 in my 57 cj 5 with a buick v-6. That was the best mod. I did. I thought about the terra low for my stock 48 2a but the better crawl numbers is not that much better for the money. The 5 is 7x2.46x5.38= 92to1 ratio and that is sweet. Another thing you half to think about if you are running an overdrive is that with the terra low you will half to switch your bowl gear. HTH fdpwr2a
     
  15. Mar 2, 2009
    CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Ohio
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    465, 420, T-18........ Pick the one that you can install that keeps your drivetrain the shortest. What you do not want is a 4 " adapter shortening your rear driveshaft. Probably best is some sort of T-18 set-up. Others here can steer you to the shortest set-up.
     
  16. Mar 2, 2009
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    If you do a tranny swap you will have it out anyway, good time to make sure everything is OK.
     
  17. Mar 2, 2009
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    I used the Novak 1" adapter on my 465. My rear driveline is about 17"- 18" long. I know Herm sells the 1" AA adapter and I have had great dealings with him. He is great to talk to also.
     
  18. Mar 3, 2009
    anthony

    anthony Member

    redding ca.
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    I agree that Herm and Novak are great resourses. We are lucky to have them around. They will almost always get my busines. When I cant find it local I like to call Herm first.
     
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