4 on each side. Looks like the same as mine.
I've used both of those skidpans.
If your frame is in good shape, either will fit.
Until I got a new frame, I had to spread the frame apart every time I removed skid pan to get it fitted up again.

I think the one for the t-18 is the one standing up.

You only need to use 3 holes on each side to fit the skid pan. Not sure which one you need for the t-18.

 

The one laying flat does not line up with the mounting braket on the bottom of the transmission. How would the frame move in when its still attached to the body mounts? Based on my measurement the frame hasnt moved.

 

If fore and aft, I've see worn engine mounts cause a miss-match by over an 1".
Plus you have to make sure the transmission mount is mounter properly with the torque arm.

 

The standing one is the same as mine 304 with a t176 motor mounts are weak on the 304 also is it off front to rear or side to side? And not all the holes will be used the frames are drilled for several different setups. you sure on the t18 not t177

 

Yeah im sure on all components of the drivetrain. I just ordered a Barnes 4wd skid plate which can be drilled out for any transmission mount. I just hope the holes will match up on the frame. If it's the same as the 80-86 crossmember, i should be fine. We shall see though.

 

If the frame is a 79 then the correct skid plate is the one standing up in the picture. 79 and below on years. The one laying down is 80+ and not right for the T18.
If you mount the skid plate to the transmission and it is to far back from the holes in the frame by up to an inch then your motor mounts are shot. If its to far to the left or right then its possible you are using the wrong holes for the tranny mount. Remember the Engine and transmission sit to the drivers side a slight bit. If you order the Barnes skid plate it does not have a spot for the transmission mount and you will have to fab one up.

 

this is the best response yet. Thank you. One more question though, how do I confirm the year of the frame? how are the crossmember holes different on 76-79 and 80-86?

 

The skid plate standing up is the correct piece. The T18 uses the back set of frame holes for the T18. You will see unused frame holes, 1 on each side, in front of the skid-plate once in place. The unused holes are for the T150 set up. The problem is that the engine, transmission, transfer case do not run parallel with the frame rails in your 1979 CJ. I don't remember the exact angle but the transfer case, when properly bolted to the the skid plate, is closer to the driver side frame rail than the passenger. This can make it tricky to get all six bolts lined up with the frame holes and may be the reason you are having trouble getting everything to line up. A little leaver action to nudge things around may be needed.

 

My bad, these guys are right. The one standing up is the correct one.

 

I've used both crossmembers on my frame. So they both should fit your frame. It doesn't matter what year between 76 and 85
I used the 76--79 when I ran a T-150/Dana20 and the 80-86 when I switched to a T-177/dana300.

Looks like you have a lot of extra holes in the one you need. I have an unmolested one at home i can look at.

I think the torque arm on the T-18 was different. Much stronger than the one used on the T-150. I had one laying around someplace.

 

As John said both will bolt to the frame. Its the shape that matters with the transmission. When I get a chance I will try to get you some pictures of location of bolts.

The amount and location of bolt holes on the one standing up is original. That was for when AMC made them they just had a pile that can take one and put it on a jeep with any stock combinations of transmission and transfercases

 

Here's my '81 with a T-19 ( same dimensions as a T-18) and D300, looking towards the rear. The factory skid bolted right up.

I've found that if I get all the bolts started with just a few threads, then tighten each bolt up a few turns at a time, there was much less fighting it.

Good luck,

Matt

 

Here's my '81 with a T-19 ( same dimensions as a T-18) and D300, looking towards the rear. The factory skid bolted right up.

I've found that if I get all the bolts started with just a few threads, then tighten each bolt up a few turns at a time, there was much less fighting it.

View attachment 4157415

Good luck,

Matt

Matt The jeep T18 is 4 or so inches shorter then the Factory Ford T18/19 and the transmission mount location is higher up. That is why the 79 and below is shaped so much different.
And for curiosity, Matt what did you do for the 4wd shifter? On my friend 84 we did the exact same set up as you, Ford t19,dana 300 31 spline input shaft and clock ring a few years ago. I know we did something temporary for the 4wd shifter but I can't remember what we did (it sucks!).

 

Good point about the difference in length between the Jeep T-18 and the Ford.

Yes, I had to modify the shifter pin on the D300 to clear the T-19. It was a simple fix.

 

I didn’t have to do that i rotated the transfercase down one bolt hole. I didn’t realize you didn’t make the stick come up in the stock location. We did.

 

My t-case stick is in the stock location. Even the boot lined up without drilling new holes.

I considered clocking my t-case one hole, but then I would have had to shim my cross member down, and I wanted to avoid that. Modifying the shifter pin was a better solution, IMO.

Matt

 

Hmm then I am not sure what the issue we had.

 

ok folks. here is my thoughts on my situation...

First, I just received the Barnes 4wd crossmember, which has the same holes as the '80-'86 year crossmember, and it bolts up perfectly to the frame. No stretching of the frame is needed either which some folks told me I may need.

My firewall VIN tag says its a 1979 but it is a Laredo, which didn't come out until 1980. I believe I have a 1980 model jeep that came out late '79.

Since the '80-'86 didn't match up, I believe it may because of my engine mounts as ctorj explained above or that it just simply doesn't work with the T18.

The Barnes crossmember is much stronger and looks better so I think I may just keep it.

I think I have solved my problem though.

How do you know if the engine mounts are bad or not?

 

Jeep made at least 12 versions of the T-18, with the main difference being the input shaft length and gearing. Early versions had a bell-housing adapter, which was eliminated on later models. Both Ford and Jeep T-18s require an adapter for either the D20 or D300 t-cases.

There is no difference between the adapted length of a Jeep and Ford T-18s. The main case is the same length and the adapters are the same width. So, I'm not sure what the previous post is all about.

Matt

 

Jeep made at least 12 versions of the T-18, with the main difference being the input shaft length and gearing. Early versions had a bell-housing adapter, which was eliminated on later models. Both Ford and Jeep T-18s require an adapter for either the D20 or D300 t-cases.

There is no difference between the adapted length of a Jeep and Ford T-18s. The main case is the same length and the adapters are the same width. So, I'm not sure what the previous post is all about.

Matt

Matt lets clear this up.
Did you use a Novak t18/19 adapter setup or did you use the factory ford setup?
If it is the Novak setup I stand corrected on the length for your set up. This also explains why I never ran into the clearance issues like you did.
If it is the factory ford setup with the tail housing that comes on a T19 out of a Ford truck then the lengths CSP listed are not what I was talking about. I was going off Matts picture and it looked like the factory Ford setup at that angle and this is where I was talking about the Length. Also the tail housing of a transmission is considered part the the transmission. I am very well educated if all the differences of the T18/T19 Ford vs Jeep and many other transmissions.

This thread was about a crossmember I helped him with the crossmember question because I have the exact same set up as him.

 

Check post 16 on this thread. (36) I saw this on Facebook…. | Jeep Enthusiast Forums (jeepforum.com)

 

I used the Advanced Adapters adapter to mate my T-19 to my t-300. it ended up being the exact same length as the SR4 I pulled out of my CJ. No changes to my rear drive shaft was necessary.

Matt

 

NC79CJ7 I have the same t18/dana 20 with the same skid plate setup. Replacing trans mount. Having a hard time finding the right mount. T18 is 3” between holes on the transmission for the mount. Did you find one that worked well? Also did you bolt the mount into the 2 transmission holes and then bolt the mount to the skid plate? So that the transmission and mount are bolted down to the skid plate