om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection

[ChiefLilBigEar]

Hello,

I have planned to swap an om617 into my 79 Cherokee. I have sourced a T-18 out of an old Bronco that is already mated to an NP208. In the Jeep I have a Dana 20. I am looking at getting a flywheel out of a 240D and a conversion kit from Mercedes diesel 4x4. just starting the process of getting parts together. Brought home an 85 300D with Turbo and a T18/np208 combo last week. Still in the gathering stage.

I am wondering if I should keep the NP208 that is already mated to the trans or the Dana 20 that is already in Jeep? Opinions on the plan as a whole?
I am looking at running at largest 33s will be Daily Driving and some offroad.

- Thanks for your opinions.

[Stuka]

Well, neither of them will work out of the box.

You have a passenger side drop front axle. The NP208's are both going to be drivers drop. And, if either of them is a Jeep T18/NP208, its going to have that super long adapter which means it will most likely hit your fuel tank.

Is your current D20 bolted to a T18 also?

[Billybob535]

Steer clear of the mercedesdiesel4x4 kit. The ones they have sold over the last few years have had a lot of issues and caused a lot of people damage. If you look in the 617 groups on facebook you will see details of the problems.

Take a look at the kit from doomsday diesel. His kit is far superior to the mbd4x4 kit.
https://www.doomsdaydiesel.net/product- ... dapter-kit

You can remove the ford bellhousing from the T18 you have and bolt a Jeep T176 bellhousing to it (same butterfly bolt pattern). That will give you the AMC bellhousing to block bolt pattern to work with the om617/Jeep adapter kit. You will need to check the input shaft spline to make sure there is a compatible clutch kit (the doomsday kit uses stock clutch kits - and offers a Jeep T18 flywheel option). I don't think there is an easy solution to mating a passenger side drop transfer case to the Ford T18 without spending hundreds on an adapter. It would be cheaper/easier to just swap your 79 passenger side front Dana 44 for an 80+ drivers side drop Dana 44. Its a bolt in swap and they are cheap and plentiful.

[rocklaurence]

Id opt for the AX15 vs the T18. Strong enough and has overdrive that is needed for hi way speeds

[230ohc]

I've done this swap with jeep long t18, dana20.

I plan to do ax15, dana 300 for better drivability, but it is thoroughly enjoyable as is.

I had moderate amount of modifications because 1964.

But completely smog exempt.

Despite some limitations of current build configuration it is almost too enjoyable to change.

Good luck with your build I hope it brings you happiness.

[230ohc]

Steer clear of the mercedesdiesel4x4 kit. The ones they have sold over the last few years have had a lot of issues and caused a lot of people damage. If you look in the 617 groups on facebook you will see details of the problems.

Take a look at the kit from doomsday diesel. His kit is far superior to the mbd4x4 kit.
https://www.doomsdaydiesel.net/product- ... dapter-kit

You can remove the ford bellhousing from the T18 you have and bolt a Jeep T176 bellhousing to it (same butterfly bolt pattern). That will give you the AMC bellhousing to block bolt pattern to work with the om617/Jeep adapter kit. You will need to check the input shaft spline to make sure there is a compatible clutch kit (the doomsday kit uses stock clutch kits - and offers a Jeep T18 flywheel option). I don't think there is an easy solution to mating a passenger side drop transfer case to the Ford T18 without spending hundreds on an adapter. It would be cheaper/easier to just swap your 79 passenger side front Dana 44 for an 80+ drivers side drop Dana 44. Its a bolt in swap and they are cheap and plentiful.

I personally have used the kit, as well as motor mount, and oil cooler adapters from them.
Zero problems. But I do have some mechanical and fabrication experience. Never the less I am happy with their products for the om617. I have "heard" of issues with the 606 607 type motor adapters but do not personally know of any first hand issues.

[230ohc]

As of Dec. 31 2022 Mercedes diesel 4x4 is out of business.

[rocklaurence]

Id opt for the AX15 vs the T18. Strong enough and has overdrive that is needed for hi way speeds

Agreed, this is a better option. Also, plan on re-gearing to help that little diesel.

[230ohc]

Rocky
I do enjoy knowing you agreed to to your own quote.

[Stuka]

Rocky
I do enjoy knowing you agreed to to your own quote.

[rocklaurence]

It's my narcissistic personality
How'd I do that???