T-18a, any comments?

[kyle1228]

I've just bought an original T-18a 4-speed tranny ..does anyone have anything to say about it? I'm accepting all commentary! Good, bad, things to watch out for ..everything. Please let me know what you guys think about it.

Thanks

[buzzbrick]

Good: INDESTRUCTIBLE, great first gear, compact
Bad: mediocre road manners (non-synchro first, only 3 road-usable gears, slow shifting), the Jeep version of the T18a can be more difficult to source parts for, which isn't a huge deal, as they do live pretty damn long.
In short, a killer wheeler tranny. My CJ's going to get one of these when my T5 dies.

[Andy5150]

Very strong; If you ever run a big-block Chevy, 40 tires, it will do the job. Very sensitive to fluid; mine shifts good with Redline synthetic gl4 75/90.

[billymadison]

had one but sold it because I found a good deal on a NV4500. I could not physically lift either the 4500 or T18 they are huge and heavy.

[Fjguercio]

Originally Posted by Fjguercio

Here is a POST from me a few days ago.... I just copied and pasted here so hope nobody minds. YOU WILL FIND NOTHING BUT GL5 GEAR LUBE ON THE STORE SHELVES, NOTHING BUT.... The GL5 GEAR LUBE is the wrong fluid for old JEEP CJ Manual Transmissions and Transfer Cases, can also cause the SYNCROS to start rattle/noise and not work well or shift well. GL5 HAS THE WRONG.... LUBRICATION PROPERTIES.... AND.... IT IS CORROSIVE TO YELLOW METALS USED IN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. Some have posted, many posted, they could hardly shift after some time. Changed to GL4 and got better and quieter. I have done this dozens of times with great results.

So Please copy this to your hard drive and spread the word. This could stop a lot of JEEP MANUAL TRANS FROM FAILURE AND REBUILD BEFORE THEIR TIME. TRY IT YOU WILL SEE.................

The confusion with the AMSOIL product its rated as oil viscosity and not Gear Lube viscosity. The TWO OIL VISCOSITY SCALES cross or equal at these weights…..AMSOIL MTF is what I am going to change to since I do not WATER CROSS so the installed life will be of benefit. I currently have the Napa GL4 installed and very pleased with the correction of operation and is getting even better over time…. Almost no syncro rattle now

THE AMSOIL MARINE GEAR LUBE CAN ALSO BE USED FOR......... GL4 GEAR LUBE, it meets the GL4 spec, it can absorb more water before oil failure. SO... for those of you that play in the water alot that may be a good choice.

I have spoke to Amsoil Tech Support and the Gear Lube Engineer..... This is confusing to MARKET. Using Gear Lube Weight for gear lubes and OIL LUBE WEIGHT for the MTF product. They are changing their lit and web site to use Gear Lube Weight for MTF / GL4 Product. Should be done sometime next year. A Chem Eng In OIL here on JeepForum and I had a WEB Discussion on this in detail.... seems the Oil Weight and Gear Lube Weight cross here at these numbers. I’ts just confusing.



My POST few days ago............

It your syncors rattling. The gear lube on the shelves is GL5 and is a product made for the pumpkins of these big large towing capacity tow rigs. The GL5 has the wrong lubrication properties and is corrosive to the yellow metals in manual transmisisons. All the BorgWarner Transmissions in the older Jeeps should use Gear Lube.

The RIGHT GEAR LUBE is GL4...... GL4...... GL4.... Napa Sells it, call them and ask them to order you 1-2 gallons and its like $15 a gallon. After 50 to 100 miles it will start shifting better and should start to get quite. My T18 did the same thing after I put the Gear Lube from the shelf.... it was GL5 and started shifting harder the the syncros starting rattle. Now almost silent and shift much better and its 32 years old.

Alternaitves Amsoil Syncromesh is a GL4 or Mobil 1 were both rated very high and and some of the least expensive on the list.



I have posted this up many times, many folks amazed with results. Frankly I am SHOCKED another fluid bad for our Little Jeeps ALL OVER THE SHELVES. I HAVE LOOKED YOU WILL ONLY FIND GL5 ON THE SHELVES. Good for your pumkins but not for the trans/transfer. Also add a magnet to both drain plugs to catch the metal particle. I also took a "stick magnet" and rubbed the bottom of trans/trans and got more out that way.

NAPA
SAE 85w90 Gear Oil GL4 (also meets GL3)
Part #SL24239
Mfg By Sta-Lube, sibisdary of CRC Industries
Bar Code 72213-24239
$15/gallon, phone order take 1-2 days to arrive, then pick it up, easy

I would also consider Amsoil MTF Syncromesh GL4 or the Mobil 1 Gear Lubes they were tops in performance and lower in cost that most. $8-10/quart.



Fred,
PS
Use GL5 Gear Lube in your Pumpkins and follow any recommendations for limited slip or locker additives.






APPLICATIONS For GL4 and Amsoil MTF Gear Lube their GL4
Recommended for automotive and light-truck applications that require synchromesh transmission fluid. Applications include manual transmissions and transaxles such as New Venture NV T350, NV 1500, NV 2550, NV 3500, NV 3550, NV 5600, and Tremec T4, T5, T18, T56, T176, TKO500, TKO600, TR 3450 and TR 3550. Replaces MTF-94 fluid for Land Rover, MG, and Mini Cooper. Replaces Honda Genuine MTF fluid for manual transaxles and Texaco MTX fluid. Not for use in engines, hypoid rear axles, limited-slip or wet clutch applications.



T5 .....Dexron III / Mercon, Mercon V use.....ATF.......
BUT....(except T5 from 1985 to 1991 use GL4 Gear Lube)

[kyle1228]

Where would be a good place/website to get the oil from, specifically for the T18a tranny?

[Fjguercio]

Originally Posted by kyle1228

Where would be a good place/website to get the oil from, specifically for the T18a tranny?

RidingAlong... member here and Amsoil dist

[JeepnBlake]

i'll second the fluid sensitivity, mine had junk oil before, then took fjguerco's advice and got proper gl4 fluid from napa, and that made a world of difference.

[carnuck]

Only drawback to T18A is no O/D. (that's why I'm selling mine along with the carbed 360 and NP208) Just make sure it's a T18A as the T18 is only 4:1 first gear.

[kyle1228]

No worries, I'm sure it's the T18a with the granny low; 6:32

[jeepdaddy2000]

Originally Posted by Fjguercio

Originally Posted by Fjguercio

Here is a POST from me a few days ago.... I just copied and pasted here so hope nobody minds. YOU WILL FIND NOTHING BUT GL5 GEAR LUBE ON THE STORE SHELVES, NOTHING BUT.... The GL5 GEAR LUBE is the wrong fluid for old JEEP CJ Manual Transmissions and Transfer Cases, can also cause the SYNCROS to start rattle/noise and not work well or shift well. GL5 HAS THE WRONG.... LUBRICATION PROPERTIES.... AND.... IT IS CORROSIVE TO YELLOW METALS USED IN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. Some have posted, many posted, they could hardly shift after some time. Changed to GL4 and got better and quieter. I have done this dozens of times with great results.

So Please copy this to your hard drive and spread the word. This could stop a lot of JEEP MANUAL TRANS FROM FAILURE AND REBUILD BEFORE THEIR TIME. TRY IT YOU WILL SEE.................

The confusion with the AMSOIL product its rated as oil viscosity and not Gear Lube viscosity. The TWO OIL VISCOSITY SCALES cross or equal at these weights…..AMSOIL MTF is what I am going to change to since I do not WATER CROSS so the installed life will be of benefit. I currently have the Napa GL4 installed and very pleased with the correction of operation and is getting even better over time…. Almost no syncro rattle now

THE AMSOIL MARINE GEAR LUBE CAN ALSO BE USED FOR......... GL4 GEAR LUBE, it meets the GL4 spec, it can absorb more water before oil failure. SO... for those of you that play in the water alot that may be a good choice.

I have spoke to Amsoil Tech Support and the Gear Lube Engineer..... This is confusing to MARKET. Using Gear Lube Weight for gear lubes and OIL LUBE WEIGHT for the MTF product. They are changing their lit and web site to use Gear Lube Weight for MTF / GL4 Product. Should be done sometime next year. A Chem Eng In OIL here on JeepForum and I had a WEB Discussion on this in detail.... seems the Oil Weight and Gear Lube Weight cross here at these numbers. I’ts just confusing.



My POST few days ago............

It your syncors rattling. The gear lube on the shelves is GL5 and is a product made for the pumpkins of these big large towing capacity tow rigs. The GL5 has the wrong lubrication properties and is corrosive to the yellow metals in manual transmisisons. All the BorgWarner Transmissions in the older Jeeps should use Gear Lube.

The RIGHT GEAR LUBE is GL4...... GL4...... GL4.... Napa Sells it, call them and ask them to order you 1-2 gallons and its like $15 a gallon. After 50 to 100 miles it will start shifting better and should start to get quite. My T18 did the same thing after I put the Gear Lube from the shelf.... it was GL5 and started shifting harder the the syncros starting rattle. Now almost silent and shift much better and its 32 years old.

Alternaitves Amsoil Syncromesh is a GL4 or Mobil 1 were both rated very high and and some of the least expensive on the list.



I have posted this up many times, many folks amazed with results. Frankly I am SHOCKED another fluid bad for our Little Jeeps ALL OVER THE SHELVES. I HAVE LOOKED YOU WILL ONLY FIND GL5 ON THE SHELVES. Good for your pumkins but not for the trans/transfer. Also add a magnet to both drain plugs to catch the metal particle. I also took a "stick magnet" and rubbed the bottom of trans/trans and got more out that way.

NAPA
SAE 85w90 Gear Oil GL4 (also meets GL3)
Part #SL24239
Mfg By Sta-Lube, sibisdary of CRC Industries
Bar Code 72213-24239
$15/gallon, phone order take 1-2 days to arrive, then pick it up, easy

I would also consider Amsoil MTF Syncromesh GL4 or the Mobil 1 Gear Lubes they were tops in performance and lower in cost that most. $8-10/quart.



Fred,
PS
Use GL5 Gear Lube in your Pumpkins and follow any recommendations for limited slip or locker additives.






APPLICATIONS For GL4 and Amsoil MTF Gear Lube their GL4
Recommended for automotive and light-truck applications that require synchromesh transmission fluid. Applications include manual transmissions and transaxles such as New Venture NV T350, NV 1500, NV 2550, NV 3500, NV 3550, NV 5600, and Tremec T4, T5, T18, T56, T176, TKO500, TKO600, TR 3450 and TR 3550. Replaces MTF-94 fluid for Land Rover, MG, and Mini Cooper. Replaces Honda Genuine MTF fluid for manual transaxles and Texaco MTX fluid. Not for use in engines, hypoid rear axles, limited-slip or wet clutch applications.



T5 .....Dexron III / Mercon, Mercon V use.....ATF.......
BUT....(except T5 from 1985 to 1991 use GL4 Gear Lube)

A quick addendum to a good post.
First, while synthetic is basically a better oil, I've found that those of us that (ab)use our rigs wind up changing and refilling the transmission and transfercase oil fairly regularly. This means a large added expense when using synthetics. Personally, I have not seen enough destruction caused by dino oil to warrant the expense to switch.
Second, there is a huge following on the binder forums for 50WT motor oil. The overall consensus is that the oil is more than adequate lubricity wise and the transmission shifts like a car box. It is my plan when I get back to do the switch in my T18.
Might try a search on the binderplanet website.
Just my .02...

PS.
The biggest downfall to the transmission is the use of one locator pin on the shifter. You will want to take a hard look at the lid, pin, and shifter and see if they are excessively worn. The pin can be replaced. The shifter can be rebuilt either with steel or brass (steel is better, but takes more work). The biggest issue is the lid. If the hole is wallowed out too much, the pin will shift back and forth when you shift.This will eventually lead to the lid cracking and breaking at the pin hole. You can again fill and drill the hole with brass to help repair this.

[OlivergreenCJ7]

I run the T18a with a dana 20 case,4.56 gears and 35's. The T18 on the road is essentially like driving the T150. It shifts a little slower compared to my T176 did, but it's a nice driving transmission... At least I think so. Offroad is where they shine. If it needs rebuilt, rebuild with the dana 300 adapter. Its a lower crawl in the case than the D20 if thats you thing. Only real options for the 20 are to install D18 gears for a 2.46:1 or install the 3.15:1 tera low gears. I unfortunately had a fiasco when I had mine rebuilt and after taking the tranny in and out three times it eventually got the price of adapter kit. First and last time I take something to a garage. Not sure what tire size you run or your jeeps setup, but the street drive is good with my setup. second could be a bit lower wit the 35's or 4.88's would make it perfect and NP435 is another option something like a 6.69 first gear and a 3.39 second gear.

well enough rambling

[carnuck]

Supposedly a D300 will bolt directly to the T18A I have with a 31 spline input. (It's basically a Ford trans and tcase)

[Fjguercio]

Thanks JeepDaddy,

Been Trying to spread the word, slow going. I do recommend the Napa GL4 Dyno oil, $15/gallon.

I tried the binder site, my monitor software is a mix/mash and could not get past the puzzle. If you want me to read something. My email is Fjguercio@aol.com

Fred

[jeepdaddy2000]

Not pointed at you in particular, just some general knowledge. As far as I'm concerned, everything I hear is improved shifting.
While EP is maligned at every corner, I (probably to my unknowing regret) have been running it in boxes for thirty five years with no noticeable detriment.

Here is an interesting link....
Don't use Gear oil in your manual transmission - The sermon by brother Eldon! - Binder Planet Forums