Best approach to lowering gear ratio on a dana 44 (3.75) for wheeling.
- Thread starter Dana44
- Start date
The seller is a gear head and really nice guy. He had that unit in two trucks he had built up. My only concern at the moment is the reverse cluster. I am sure its okay and hope that the reason it has chipped teeth is from an impatient driver, or a slightly out of tune clutch adjustment which can show up in a transmissions clunkier shifts. Like reverse. I have read the T18 can have its quirks.
Overall pretty happy though.
The bigger issue is it has been slightly dusted from (it seems) being out on the barns dirt floor. I plan to clean it using diesel fuel, followed up by cheap gear oil, drain that and when ready fill with something decent.
Any opinions on this approach are welcomed.
A small amount of H2O in the lube.
Overall pretty happy though.
The bigger issue is it has been slightly dusted from (it seems) being out on the barns dirt floor. I plan to clean it using diesel fuel, followed up by cheap gear oil, drain that and when ready fill with something decent.
Any opinions on this approach are welcomed.
A small amount of H2O in the lube.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2003
Agree you'll have to take it apart to convert it.
This will give you plenty of opportunity to clean the parts.
Stated earlier - JMO - if it looks this good I would do as little as possible in the way of replacing parts.
The blocking rings will wear on the internal conical surface, so you can't really inspect them until apart.
With the sliding gears, impatient drivers can generate some gear clash.
This transmission also has a problem with clipping reverse on the 2-3 upshift, causing clash.
Some rounding on the teeth is expected.
If it bothers you, some place like Parts Mike will have the reverse gear - it's a Ford, so parts support will be good.
You'll need a kit with both the mainshaft and the transfer case adapter.
Novak is well liked here, and makes good products.
Many have used the Advanced Adapters kits successfully.
Novak only sells direct, while Advanced will sell through retailers.
You should be able to get the AA kit through Summit Racing, for example, and get a better price than retail list.
skipilot
Member
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2007
Just remember that since you have a ‘71, it should have a T14 with the 10 spline output. Everything else was a 6 spline. Since anything could have happened in the last 50 plus years, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to double check that. Assuming you are using your current T-case you will need to ensure you get a 10 spline main shaft. Alternatively you could use the more common 6 spline but would have to purchase a new gear to go with it. The advantage to that is if you decide to later go with an overdrive, it’s easier to find 6 spline units vs 10 spline.
Tim
Tim
cj2atruck
Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2020
Owning/updating an old CJ is a slippery slope. First comes transmission, lockers, etc, for better trail manners, then you start thinking about the harsh ride and suspension changes start to be considered. That’s how I ended up building my long arms and coil spring conversion on my 25.5” stretched frame so the ride was pleasant.
I’ve got front disc brakes sitting in the shop for that conversion, and I’ll be going to full floating rear axles sometime this year. There’s always something that needs to be improved, so being your own fabricator, welder, mechanic, painter and design guy saves a ton of cash but consume a lot of hours. I wouldn’t have it any other way…
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2021
I have one highly modified trail Jeep. It came to me with all the modifications, some done by the previous owner, most done by various shops he paid to do the work. I have spent a whole lot of time and money re-working the modifications that were done wrong, some were dangerously wrong. So, my advice is to think things out, and do the research to make sure it is all done correctly.
53A1
Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2008
Mine had a little water. I rinced with old gas (not recommended by most - diesel/kerosene is safer.). If it sat upright the reverse gear may have a little pitting. Brushed off what i could. Coated with cheap GL1 for storage. Same with top cover. Got it shifting through the gears. Yours looks nice.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2008
Look at camelcamelcamel and note it has not increased as bad as everything else.I need to order an adapter for mine so i can get moving on mine this winter.
Oof...
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2003
Maybe.
I would call Summit and ask about that.
Possible AA won't give them a deliver date prior to a real order.
53A1
Member
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2008
I'm in the same predicament. I have two 10 spline bull gears laying around from t14s. It looks like you may have to go to Novak if you want a 10 spline shaft.
The OD decision will be critical if you later decide regear to 5.38. Even in 4th the engine will wind out badly on the highway.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2008
Non-issue. I've never heard of one failing even with v8's, or 4speeds, in front of doublers. The case or gear teeth fail first. Or the overdrive. Just keep the gear tight to the shaft.
Last edited: