V6 Crawl

I'm probably biased... Almost any transmission swap is going to require a fair amount of mods as mentioned. Personally I still believe there is no bigger bang for the buck than a T18.
Terra low is now only supported by Herm (ymmv, leaving that topic alone)
The 420 has a few parts that are getting fussy to source. The T18 has only a few generational/ model changes and every part is available. It is virtually bulletproof and is one of the most common swaps. I still see plenty of Wagoneer/J truck units available. Swap to the short Ford input, redrill your bellhousing. Get a new short retainer run the Ford To bearing or turn the retainer and go GM.
Build your D18 in the large hole (stronger) case with an 1.25 intermediate ( AA roller if you wish, I passed) and your done with driveline for your lifetime.

 

I assume the t18 shifts slower than the t14?

I remember the ol K30 with sm465 being a lazy shifting truck.

 

The sad moment I realized my jeep and miata share the same first gear ratio but my miata has a lower range diff than the jeep.

 

yep just a slow shifting big 3 speed . long throws

 

The SM420 has a deep 2nd gear. It is a big drop in RPM when going to 3rd and a slow gear change. I liked the T18 over
the SM420. It was much more forgiving. Also would like to point out that there is a member here that goes by "geardaddy"
who seems to have a line on rare gear sets. He posts on other sites but I know of no one with experience in dealing with him.
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?members/94467/

 

With one post in 5 years, think I would steer clear of that one.

Occasionally I have seen Jack O'Brien's Rock Eater gear sets on Pirate classified. Anyone aware of any other D18 gear sets other than TL's, X98's, and Rock Eaters'?

 

If only it were that easy
Started my swap last fall and still fighting problems. Granted, I have little time to work on it but had I known what I was getting into.....

 

The 2-3 shift is my big dislike as far as driving it. I wonder if the later models with reverse down are easier shifting?
I remember my old Ford pickups with the NP435 were easier shifting.

 

My reverse is to the right and down but as mentioned I haven't driven it in the JEEP.......heck, haven't installed it yet. I did have a 1972 F100 that we put a T18 in, with the same shift pattern. In fact, all I have driven were that way. The 2-3 shift is a big gap in them.

Over and up for reverse seems strange in my mind.

 

They must be...that's how mine shifts and, like I've said, it's a great tranny!
I only need 2nd gear to start from a stop...otherwise it's between 3rd & 4th...a relatively short throw.
I drove one in a '79 full size Bronco, and I thought to myself...I want one in my CJ!

 

Best combo I have found is SM420, D18 and 4.27 gears. Good crawl and can run the highways without needing an OD. I use this combo with 30"-33" tires.

 

wonder what it would take to get an atlas transfer case in a stock-ish setup Wiilys? a 5:1 ratio would get you somewhere in the 70ish crawl ratio without changing your top speed. Have been eyeballing an Atlas 4 speed for my TJ, but they offer the smaller. 2 speed in a 5:1 low range. Not a cheap route to go though, even before considering what else would need to change on the jeep to make it fit.



I have T18, D18, and 4.10 axle gears on 33" tires in my willys, it's slow enough for what I like doing in that jeep. I'd love my TJ to be a lot slower though.

 

It doesn't quite fit, the frame had to be notched and reworked in my brother's commando (same width frame as early jeep).

 

I have the old pattern reverse over and up. I don't think the 2-3 is bad. You can't power shift like a t90 but the t18 stays together...

 

Waking this back up. I am going to look at a SM420, maybe this afternoon. I plan to pull the cover and look inside. I'll be able to see gear chips or metal I suppose. Any other watch outs/thing I should specifically inspect for this? Thanks

 

Rust. And remember that any water that gets in will go to the bottom of the case so try to get a look at the counter shaft gears.

 

10-4

 

That's what I have in mine also, it does take a couple drives to get the hang of that long throw from 2-3 but I have to say I rather enjoy it.... Kinda funny watching someone new drive it and have a hard time finding 3 lol....

 

I currently have T90, terra lows, 4:27 and 30" tires. I am ok with this setup but mty old flat fender had SM420, stock Transfer case and the same 4:27 gears and I liked the crawl a lot better. I can see an SM420 in my future.

 

$80 and a slam dunk. The insides look new. The bearing retainer is broken off where the throw out bearing rides. He brought another one with him and gave it to me. I don't think it is exactly correct but I might be able to fix it in the lathe. Throwout bearing sleeve part is 1 7/16 diameter, I see 1 3/8" on Novak. It is roughly 3 3/4" long, not sure that is right. Also, I have no idea what the seal looks like. I see ridges on the inside, is that where it would go?