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Homebuilt D18 Twin Stick?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by FinoCJ, Oct 24, 2023.

  1. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    With the LR in the font of the CJ now, it seems really helpful if I could figure out a twin stick conversion for the D18 so I can run in 2lo (especially with manual steering). I did post a WTB in the classifieds, but it also seems from a recent thread, that many think it would be a pretty easy homefab to convert my single stick to a twin stick? I don't really have a good idea of how to start thinking about that....anyone got suggestions or pics?

    thanks
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 24, 2023
    #1
  2. ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    ITLKSEZ, Oct 24, 2023
    #2
    blalp! likes this.
  3. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    I believe to get the 2 low function, you have to remove the "pill" between the shift rails. Once you get it that far apart, you might as well just put a stock twin stick on it.
     
    colojeepguy, Oct 24, 2023
    #3
    blalp!, vtxtasy and OldAdobe like this.
  4. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    if I can get one for reasonable price....also, twin sticks and 4speeds can be a PITA, so maybe starting with the single stick cap might provide more manipulation to fit everything together (including the OD)? worst case, i could steal the one off the 58 and swap it with the cj. Heck, I keep thinking of just swapping the entire 465/D18 into the cj and using the T18 and TL D18 in the 58.
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 24, 2023
    #4
  5. OldAdobe

    OldAdobe Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    The "pill" looks like this:
    2018-05-20 17.48.25_crop_289x261.jpg
     
    OldAdobe, Oct 24, 2023
    #5
    Desert Runner likes this.
  6. colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    See post #168 in my T18 thread, I had to grind about 1/4" off the tcase to clear the 4 speed.
    Test fit it before you assemble the tcase!
    T90 To T18 Swap | Page 9 | ECJ5 (earlycj5.com)
     
    colojeepguy, Oct 24, 2023
    #6
  7. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    I had to grind a lot more than that to fit the twin stick with the sm465
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 24, 2023
    #7
  8. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    The D18 shift rails for the single stick and twin stick are the same? Basically, if I found a front twin stick cap, I can use that cap with my existing shift rails (which one has been cut down a bit to fit the TL gears)?
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 24, 2023
    #8
  9. Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    No the twin stick rails have notches that the levers fit into.
     
    Jw60, Oct 24, 2023
    #9
    FinoCJ likes this.
  10. Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    No, you need the rails to go with the twin stick. They have notches that the levers engage with rather than the pins on the single lever rails:
    [​IMG]
     
    Fireball, Oct 24, 2023
    #10
    Jw60 and FinoCJ like this.
  11. FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Guess what I am asking is if the total length and diameter of the rails is the same....such that I could grind out shift lever notches if needed - or whatever I can come up with for the levers, as I don't have a set of those anyway.....
     
    FinoCJ, Oct 24, 2023
    #11