t18 to ford 205

[incommando]

Ok, after spending a few hours on Novak & AA's sites, either this is not possible or is so simple that they do not mention it.

I have located a good deal on some 1-ton ford axles ;-). The front is obviously a driver's drop and my D20 is passenger drop. An upgrade to the 205 from the ford would seem to be the way to go, but I cannot find out how to do it.

I have some options, it looks like:

Make the 360/t18 I have work with the ford 205.

Make the ford C6/205 work with my 360.

These are my favorite options as they use parts I have now or can lay my hands on cheap.

Any other options or advice would be welcome.

[uglyjeep]

I'm pretty sure that the late 70's early 80's broncos had that set up stock. You could swap a ford t-18 output shaft and the adapter onto the jeep t-18.

[4x4fEvEr]

im pretty sure you cant mate anything to a jeep t-18. $500 bucks to adapt a dana 300. not sure about a 205. sell it and buy a NP435 easiest way.

[toyjeep]

I have this same problem. I think a newer T-18 ('82+ maybe??) that had an NP-208 may be swapable with a little work, but not the Dana 20.

I have a NP-435 mated to a 205 that I will use now. From what I have read, they hook to an AMC 360 relativly easy.

I just need to finish the rebuild on the axles ..... then fab a new crossmember ..... then get new driveshafts ..... etc ...

[Hammer]

Other thing about the Ford NP205 is that is has a female 31 spline input. Ford is the only one that uses the 31 spline setup like that.

You can just get a Ford T18, it will bolt up to the 360 using the Jeep T15 or T18 bell housings.
Only problem, they have the short input shaft. So your shifter is further forward then stock.
You would have this same issue with the NP435 though.

[incommando]

Thanks for the info............. Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but it is good info.

[toyjeep]

Other thing about the Ford NP205 is that is has a female 31 spline input. Ford is the only one that uses the 31 spline setup like that.

You can just get a Ford T18, it will bolt up to the 360 using the Jeep T15 or T18 bell housings.
Only problem, they have the short input shaft. So your shifter is further forward then stock.
You would have this same issue with the NP435 though.

Can a Jeep T-18 input shaft be swapped into a Ford T-18 tranny?

[Cecil14]

Can a Jeep T-18 input shaft be swapped into a Ford T-18 tranny?

I was thinking that as well. As long as the gear ratios are the same I would think it'd work fine. Not sure if the Jeep spacer would work on the Ford case, though. Don't know what the front of the Ford case looks like.


aa

[uglyjeep]

I now remember that the bolt pattern for the t-case adapters isn't compatable on the jeep vs. ford t18. I have been told that the innards are interchangeable between different t-18s. Maybe a jeep input shaft could be swaped into a ford t18, and just use the jeep t-176 (or whatever else will fit) bellhousing. It would probably be a better idea, though, to just use a custom pilot bushing with the ford trans and clutch parts.

[Cecil14]

I now remember that the bolt pattern for the t-case adapters isn't compatable on the jeep vs. ford t18. I have been told that the innards are interchangeable between different t-18s. Maybe a jeep input shaft could be swaped into a ford t18, and just use the jeep t-176 (or whatever else will fit) bellhousing. It would probably be a better idea, though, to just use a custom pilot bushing with the ford trans and clutch parts.

The pilot bushing is the least of the issues. If you can keep the stock Jeep trans location (ie: jeep input and spacer) that will also keep the x-member, shifter location, and possibly driveshafts (bit unlikely on that one, though). If you can swap the factory input/spacer over that is the only way to fly. End up being lots easier/cheaper.


aa

[Hammer]

I am pretty sure the long input shaft will swap in. I haven't done this myself, but I 'think' I read that it's a straight swap as long as both transmissions have the granny gear.

As for the spacer, I can put the stock spacer in front of my Ford T18 tomorrow and see. I have this stuff just sitting on the shop floor right now.

My plan was to use a Ranger OD, Ford T18, and NP205 with the Ford 31 spline input swapped in (needs machine work to happen).
This puts the shifter back in the stock location, and keeps the driveshafts long.

You could run the short input on the Ford T18 and just do a doubler setup to keep the driveshafts in a good spot ;)

[Elliott]

I think the reason you can't find an adapter for the FSJ T-18 to the Ford NP205... is because it's a direct bolt up if you use a '80+ FSJ T-18 from a J-20;) :D

[Cecil14]

Aren't there some output shaft length issues with the 208 vs. the 205, though? Seems like Scotty had discussed this a long while back....


aa

[Hammer]

The stock AMC spacer does NOT work on the Ford T18.
The top two holes matche up, and the retainer works. But none of the bottom holes line up.

[Cecil14]

The stock AMC spacer does NOT work on the Ford T18.
The top two holes matche up, and the retainer works. But none of the bottom holes line up.

That's kinda what I figured would happen. That rules out the easy way then. :) Of course, it probably wouldn't be too hard to have a different spacer made...though it might get pricey.


aa

[Hammer]

Well, you can run the Ford T18 or NP435, but you are have to use the short input shaft and JUST the bellhousing.

It isn't really that hard to bend the shifter and cut a new hole for it.
It's actually VERY easy.
And in my book, not enough of a reason to not do the swap.
Spend the spacer money on a doubler ;)

[Bill Moore]

does the ford t18 and np435 have the same bolt up to the bell housing?

[Hammer]

Yeah, the T15 and T18 BHs work fine. Some need to have one hole drilled, but that's easy.

[Elliott]

Aren't there some output shaft length issues with the 208 vs. the 205, though? Seems like Scotty had discussed this a long while back....


aa

Hmm, the on the Ford NP435 I think the shaft was the same between the 208 version and the 205 version tranny, but the adaptor for the 208 was an inch shorter so you'd have more stickout. Might have to add a spacer or cut the shaft down. I think Scotty cut the shaft down and lengthed the splines on it... IIRC, or somebody did.
I'll be getting to this before long here, 'cept I'm modifying the adaptor to mate to a GM 205 using the Ford input.

Bill,
As far as the bell housing goes, if you use a T176 bell the bolt holes match up.;)

[scotty]

ha ha im back! the discussion yall are remembering is regarding sticking a ford 205 onto the rear of a jeep t18 in place of the 208. the 208 and 205 have different stickouts on the input gear,leaving very little spline contact in the 205 gear when you slide it on. a friend of mine actually took a 2nd 205 input gear and welded them together and smoothed it all out real nice. it worked,and has worked for several years now. it could have also prolly been dealt with by tracking down or fabbing a shorter tranny to t case adapter.

on the matter at hand,sounds like yall have figured it out. im with hammer-just stick the whole jeep t18/20 into a corner in case you ever need it for something else(or i guess sell it to help finance the project) and swap in the ford 435/205,or even a ford t18/208 if you come across one of them cheap enuff.

the 4 inches your shifter will move forward really isnt that big a deal,and a ford reverse cut 60 is a plenty good reason to do it :thumbsup:

[shackwrrr]

what if you used a ford t-18 and put one of these
http://www.high-impact.net/images/rangeroverdrive_300.jpg
http://www.high-impact.net/rangeroverdrive.htm
in front of it that would take care of the spacer problem. Its probably what I am going to do once if I can ever afford the setup

[Bill Moore]

yup, love to have a couple of those

[Hammer]

what if you used a ford t-18 and put one of these

http://www.high-impact.net/rangeroverdrive.htm
in front of it that would take care of the spacer problem. Its probably what I am going to do once if I can ever afford the setup

I have the older/stronger Ranger OD with the iron case.
I have a Ford T18, fresh rebuild. 6 bolt adapter.

They are both just sitting.
I also have a GM NP205 with the 8 bolt racetrack pattern adapter and 27 spline male input.
I DO have the Ford 31 spline female input for the tcase, but even if I machine the tcase to take the bigger input, I still don't have a way to bolt the T18 to the NP205.

I have also though about a doubler setup, but this combo has been causing me headaches to figure out... So I will ignore it a little while longer ;)

[Hammer]

Oh yeah, with the RC Ford 60 in there, your front drive shaft angles might be ok if you only bolt the ford tranny directly to the BH.
Not sure on that one, but the extra height of the pinion can only help with this problem.

[toyjeep]

what if you used a ford t-18 and put one of these
http://www.high-impact.net/images/rangeroverdrive_300.jpg
http://www.high-impact.net/rangeroverdrive.htm
in front of it that would take care of the spacer problem. Its probably what I am going to do once if I can ever afford the setup

Unless you are going for he 27% OD model for highway use, that seems like a phenomenol amount of money for 17% under drive.

[4x4fEvEr]

on the matter at hand,sounds like yall have figured it out. im with hammer-just stick the whole jeep t18/20 into a corner in case you ever need it for something else(or i guess sell it to help finance the project) and swap in the ford 435/205,or even a ford t18/208 if you come across one of them cheap enuff.

the 4 inches your shifter will move forward really isnt that big a deal,and a ford reverse cut 60 is a plenty good reason to do it :thumbsup:

im pretty sure you cant mate anything to a jeep t-18. $500 bucks to adapt a dana 300. not sure about a 205. sell it and buy a NP435 easiest way.

i agree. im runnin a 435/205 works great and was an easy swap

Oh yeah, with the RC Ford 60 in there, your front drive shaft angles might be ok if you only bolt the ford tranny directly to the BH.
Not sure on that one, but the extra height of the pinion can only help with this problem.

yes it does help but i still had to run a CV off the 205 and could use some 2degree shims as well, thats with rancho 44044 springs SOA though

[Hammer]

Yeah, but running a CV on the front is just about a given anyways.
The rear shaft sees the MOST abuse, so give it the better angles, etc.

And yeah, you have a bit more lift then most (not all, just most).

[Elliott]

ha ha im back! the discussion yall are remembering is regarding sticking a ford 205 onto the rear of a jeep t18 in place of the 208. the 208 and 205 have different stickouts on the input gear,leaving very little spline contact in the 205 gear when you slide it on. a friend of mine actually took a 2nd 205 input gear and welded them together and smoothed it all out real nice. it worked,and has worked for several years now. it could have also prolly been dealt with by tracking down or fabbing a shorter tranny to t case adapter.

Thanks for that... I'll look into this on mine and see if I can just shorten up the aluminum adaptor to get the spline length.