Mile Marker Conversion Kit

[shredby4]

I want to get somebody's opinion on doing this conversion. Is it worth it? Am I better off swapping in a Dana 18 than doing the conversion. Or should I just get my Quadra Trac rebuilt. I am lucky enough to have a Q-trac with low range. I know the Dana 18 won't have the low range I got now but that's a small price to pay for knowing I have 100% engagement of the front axle. I could always have a low range reduction kit put in the 18.... Somebody help me!!!!!!!!! e-mail me at shredby4@hotmail.com. Thanx

[This message has been edited by shredby4 (edited May 29, 2001).]

[joe]

So far as is a MM kit worth it?...I dunno you just want 100% engagement of the front axle?
A MM PT kit is not a solution or substitute for rebuilding a QT...just for eliminating the clutch cones. I've got the kit in mine but it came that way to me and I like it but I wouldn't spend $500 to do it on my own.
Why choose a D18 in place of the QT? I don't know what it would take to mate a D18 to a TH400 AT but anythings possible I guess if you have time and money? The D18 does by the way have LO range 2.46:1 compared to the QT's 2.6:1
Are you maybe thinking of the early D21 single speeds(no LO) that came with the 62-65 AT equipped 230 OHC's?
Be a lot easier to swap in a D20(2.03:1 LO) to a TH400 trans. Granted not as good of a LO ratio but a good tough x-case and prolly easier to get parts for.

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Regards,
-joe
63 2-dr Wag, 72 J-4000, 73 J-4000, 82 CJ-8

[BobBarry]

If you want 100% engagement of the front axle on a BW QT, just use E-drive; it is the QT's part-time mode.

In fact, the "4wd Locked" position of the Milemarker kit is simply E-drive renamed; the kit merely converts the transfer case's full-time 4wd mode to a 2wd mode, leaving E-drive untouched.

As you may gather, I'm all in favor of avoiding the installation of a kit to use a 4wd mode you already have.

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Bob Barry<UL TYPE=SQUARE>* '78 Cherokee 4-door
* '88 Grand Wagoneer[/list]http://studentweb.providence.edu/~rbarry/wheels/

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BobBarry:
As you may gather, I'm all in favor of avoiding the installation of a kit to use a 4wd mode you already have.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good advice http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif

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Regards,
-joe
63 2-dr Wag, 72 J-4000, 73 J-4000, 82 CJ-8

[scotty]

most QT failures are plain and simple from owner neglect-mostly,ignoring a slipping chain.

the only thing i dislike bout the QT is that the chain also drives the rear axle. tho ive seen guys beat on em pretty hard with no prollems,as long as you maintain it. i also will say that the QTs full time low range is cool thing. its cool to cruise around in low without worring bout driveline binding caused by undifferentiated 4wd on a high traction surface.

i personally prefer cast iron and gear driven,so my opinon is maybe biased towards the spicer 18(note signature) it all boils down to how you use it. a big advantage of the 18 is the ability to use a pto,over drive,or both. also most of them have the cool parking brake on the rear output.

but alas,the spicer 18 is not adaptable to the th400 without an aftermarket kit. the case does share the texas pattern as the d20,but factory d20 tailshaft can only be used with the d20,since it has a unique spline count and the spicer 18 input gear willnot interchange. hmmm... cost of adapter,or cost of rebuilding QT?

it is easy to adapt the spicer 18 to d20 equipped manual trannies,so if you were thinkin of a manual swap anyway,that can be done with factory parts.

further ques?

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scott
85 grand wagoneer
258 with motorcraft 2bbl/t18/spicer 18 with pto/widetrac offset d44s/rear discs
38x15.5 gumbo mudders
snorkel/dual batteries/onboard air/"custom" convertable
3 inch body lift/mostly stock suspension/"modified" fender openings
custom front/rear bumpers and brushgaurd

vw turing brake,BIG tow truck PTO winch and full roll cage install very soon
4.0 aquired-4.5L stroker someday...

now we can do some 'wheelin!

[shredby4]

I'm glad I got so many replies. I know I need an adapter to put a model 18 t-case on my transmission. I am attempting to figure out how to get the most bang for my buck. The quadra trac I have definetly has to be rebuilt. The previous owner made sure of that. I imagine that's going to be super expensive. I know the clutches are shot and it needs a new chain. The chain isn't broken though. I'm looking at similar cost no matter which way I go. I can get an 18 for $150 and the adapter will be $400 I think. And an 18 has a 1.96 ratio or a 2.46 depending on year model. The q-trac has a 2.62. Some 20's shipped with a 2.02 as well.I have my advanced adapters catalog out now. So how much does it usually cost to rebuild a q-trac? I can't do it. Again I do appreciate all the help. I think I'll rebuild.I didn't know how well that e-drive vaccum stuff worked. I probably at the very least need to replace that. Thanx!!!!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by shredby4 (edited May 30, 2001).]

[scotty]

here is a link for novak
http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_124.htm

they are usually cheaper than advance adapters,but they want $495 for the 18/20 adapter.maybe their price has gone up,cause i would have sworn that they had it for $349 last time i checked. hmmm.

anyway,4wd hardware has chains,conversion kits,bearing and seal kits,etc. you wil need to trac down a QT with good brake cones to rebuild,as these are not available.
www.4wd.com (http://www.4wd.com)

also check with 4xheaven
www.4xheaven.com (http://www.4xheaven.com)

ill cast my vote for the spicer 18(again my opiniom may be biased)but once you have the adapter,you can use an 18 or a 20. as i mentioned,the 18 always has the option for a pto or overdrive if you stumble across one.

plus,it will prolly be the last $$ that you spend on it. your QT will evnetually need another chain.


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scott
85 grand wagoneer
258 with motorcraft 2bbl/t18/spicer 18 with pto/widetrac offset d44s/rear discs
38x15.5 gumbo mudders
snorkel/dual batteries/onboard air/"custom" convertable
3 inch body lift/mostly stock suspension/"modified" fender openings
custom front/rear bumpers and brushgaurd

vw turing brake,BIG tow truck PTO winch and full roll cage install very soon
4.0 aquired-4.5L stroker someday...

now we can do some 'wheelin!

[243]

Are you guy's talking about running in E-drive on the street or offroad? I have been under the impression that E-drive was not designed for hard, dry pavement.

I would like to run my Jeep in essentially, 2HI and engage the xfer case and hubs when off road...will the Milemarker kit allow me to do this?

Without the reduction kit, can I expect an increase in mileage, increase in acceleration or decreased drivetrain wear with the Milemarker kit?

Up to this point, I like the full-time four wheel drive but am interested in alternatives. I drive 30K miles a year with about 20 offroad.




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243

Ol'e Blue
79 Wagoneer 401/T400/QT

http://www.0hassleisp.com/dwilk/79sig2.jpg

Red 75 Wagoneer (project)
Mean Green 76 Wagoneer (parts car)
99 Dodge Ram TD

cummins_isb@hotmail.com

[joe]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 243:
Are you guy's talking about running in E-drive on the street or offroad? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Offroad

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>
I would like to run my Jeep in essentially, 2HI and engage the xfer case and hubs when off road...will the Milemarker kit allow me to do this?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>
Without the reduction kit, can I expect an increase in mileage, increase in acceleration or decreased drivetrain wear with the Milemarker kit?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not really on a 20 year old rig. If the eng and entire running gear were brand new I would expect a 2 mpg increase but not on a 100,000 mile eng/drive train. My 73/360/PT-QT/4.09 gears gets 10 mpg as does my 72/360/D20/4.09 gears.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>
Up to this point, I like the full-time four wheel drive but am interested in alternatives.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Converting isn't a bad thing to do but will you get $500 worth of benifits out of it? I personally don't think so...but that's just me.
The BW/QT is a really good system and I don't generally even like FT x-cases but if I had to have one it would be my only choice.
I would just leave well enough alone and spend the $500 somewhere else.
Only drawback with the QT I see is that new parts are getting hard to come up with so sometime in the not to far future you may not be able to rebuild them with new parts. Enjoy the QT while you can. You may have to come up with Plan B soon enough http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/frown.gif


[/B][/QUOTE]



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Regards,
-joe
63 2-dr Wag, 72 J-4000, 73 J-4000, 82 CJ-8

[mark]

the worst part of the milemarker kit is that the shiftfork now has to push and pull the much larger and heavier slider back and forth with the stupid vac motor.you are still not assured that it is ALL the way engaged.even though the gears can engage at least 5/8 of an inch they just barely saw 1/8 engagement on mine.mine kept popping out and milemarker said the lead on the gears were worn.when i took it apart to put the new slider and coupler in (150.00)i was pissed to see that they were only worn slightly on the very end.i didnt want it to happen again so we machined the case some and threw out the vac motor.i fabbed my own cable shifter for positive engagement.now i get about 1/2 in engagement.ill have pics soon .i just did this last weekend.

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mark
79 cherokee chief
(ABOVE THE LAW)
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=937957&a=11951837&p=42970484