T-18

I've got a t-18 gear box and a t-20 transfer case with a long imput shaft. It came out of a late 1960"s Jeep pickup that had the Buick 350 motor. Is this gear box adaptable to the v6?

 

Do you still have the adapter that was attached to the buick 350 bellhousing as the 225 and 350 are identical as far as the bellhousing is concerened. There had to be a factory adapter that connected this to the 350's bellhousing.

 

I don't think there's an easy way to use it. The main problem is the length. All of the transmissions used with V8 trucks and wagons are long compared to same transmissions used in CJs. This was done to put the shifter back in the middle of the cab in the truck, since the firewall-to-driver distance is very much longer than in a CJ.

On the later trucks this was done with a long input shaft and a spacer between the bellhousing and the transmission:
(courtesy www.jeeptech.com)
I believe on the 350 trucks Jeep used a bellhousing with a long neck that extended back from the bellhousing to accomplish the same thing.

The front of the transmission should have the Jeep pattern and that input shaft with the very long stickout. AFAIK there's no input shaft available that will replace that long input shaft, have the right gearing, and have the right stickout to be used with another bellhousing. The Jeep CJ T18s used a plate adapter and a unique length input shaft, if you could find one. However, most of these transmissions have a 4.02:1 ist gear, and the input shaft has the wrong tooth count for your transmission. There was a later 6.32:1 CJ T18, but those transmissions are too valuable in their own right to provide parts, even if they had the right configuration.

The best use for this transmission (in a CJ) is probably as a source of main shaft and adapter for a Ford 2WD T18. This is a conversion that Nick has suggested before - you end up with a short-stickout Ford-pattern transmission coupled with the D20. The Ford T18 can be adapted to GM bellhousing pretty easily: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/ford_to_gm.htm

hth

 

Thanks very much for your very knowledgable and complete response. It looks like all I have is a very odd shaped anchor. I think I'll deep six it at the recycling yard. One less hunk of metal lying around.
Thaks again.
Bruce

 

Oooh no! Where are you located? Someone will want it. Very much worth having for the main shaft and adapter, and maybe the gears.

 

It would be free to anyone who wishes to come and get it. It is a "pig in a poke" however since I have never opened it up. I'm in Northeastern MA by the New Hampshire border. Contact me via private email. I'll keep it until the end of the year and then it's gone.
Bruce

 

No, if it's from a truck, it has a 6.32 1st gear. The 4.02:1 1st was never used in a full-sized Jeep AFAIK. All the FSJs used the long stickout T18, although the V8 stickout is longer than the I6 stickout.

 

Which bellhousing did you use, Lynn?

I thought that Hicks made those shafts, but I don't think they're around anymore.

 

R&P has the parts needed to convert also. They also modify Ford cases and front bearing retainers to allow the tranny to bolt to a GM bellhousing with NO adapters to give the best possible driveline lengths. That T-18 should be the 6.32-1 first gear as mentioned. I converted that exact tranny a couple of months ago for a guy. It's worth keeping if nothing else for the output shaft and adapter. This is well worth the conversion! Nickmil.

 

Who is R & P?

 

I have to agree with Lynn. I did this swap using a t18 out of a full size jeep pickup. (long input shaft, 6.32 1st) Parts Mike had the new 6.5" input shaft, bearing retainer and I put in new main bearings and a small parts kit (Parts Mike also) while I had it apart. FYI, Advance Adapters manufactures a bellhousing that bolts this trans to the v-6. $$$ The t18 swap into my 74 behind the 304 was the best thing I ever did for that jeep. I'd do it again without thinking twice. Don't throw it away! Mike