Doing a restoration on a 69 CJ-5!! Have some questions

I have a 69 CJ-5 with the 225, Dana 27 and Dana 44-2. The jeep is in pretty good shape and I am looking to keep it mostly stock but make it a reliable safe vehicle.

I purchased a Dana 30 and a Dana 44 One piece that are in need of some TLC but should be good axles. The Jeep has always had great gearing ratios for the highway and for climbing and I would like to keep that but in order to swap in the rear Dana 44 I would need to change out the T-18 offset transfer case with a Dana 20. I would like to keep the same ratio's so does anyone know what different ratios were offered in these 2 Transfer cases? and how can I tell what ratio or gearing my current T-18 has? I have it bolted to a T90 3 speed and I would like to keep that trans.

The new axles are from a 75 CJ-5 so at the very least I am going to switch out the 11" brakes with my 2 piece 44 if I leave the T-18 in.

I would also like to move the gas tank to the rear of the jeep if anyone has info on that? Searched the threads but didn't find anything?

 

First, a T-18 is a truck style 4 speed transmission that came in many applications with a 4.02-1 first gear or a 6.32-1 first gear. I'm guessing you mean a Dana 18 transfer case with offset rear and front outputs. The most common ratio was 2.46-1 low range. The 20 stock came with 2.03-1 low range.
If stock the Intermediate ('72-'75 CJ) axles would have 3.73-1 or 4.27-1 gears. Without knowing what you have now it's hard to say if this would be an improvement.
The stock '69 CJ should have a T-14 behind a V-6 but they frequently get changed.
I believe the stock axle ratio's for '69 with the stock V-6 should be 3.73 or optional 4.88's. Which do you have?
I think a little more info as to exactly what ratio's you have now, tire size, terrain you plan on running, etc. would be helpful to help you out.

 

I do not know the type of wheeling you do, but the drop in ratio from a D18 to a D20 will mean not so low of gearing in the final ratio. I wouls stick with the D18 myself, now I know that means a 2 piece axle, but you can full float that axle easily and get a stronger axle than a flanged 44. Another benefit to the D18 is being able to put an overdrive unit in it.
yes decisions need to be made, unless you want to go totally modern, stick with the d18 for the ratio and the overdrive option. Full float the D44 and have a really great rig.

 

I believe if you check Novak's site, you can swap gears between / combine the right gears bdetween a D20 and a D18 to get 2.46 gearing in a Dana 20. There is also a Tera Low 3.15 gears for a D20 t-case.

Novak also sells an adapter bearing for mounting a D20 to a T90 transmission. Not sure what it takes to mate a D20 to a T14, which is probably what you have behind your V6. And if you have a T86, really not sure on that either.

 

All you need to swap the 20 onto the T-90 is the right input gear for the transfer case and a T-86 rear bearing retainer, bearing, and snap ring. This changes the T-90 from a small hole transfer case bolt up to a large hole transfer case bolt up. Some shift linkage mods may need to be done depending on what 20 you use. The 20 came stock in Intermediates behind the T-14 in I-6 equipped Jeeps so that is easy, they just bolt up. The 20 will bolt right up to the T-86 with the right input gear. Some shifter mods to the 20 may need to be made depending on which 20 is used.

 

Why not just swap the bigger brakes onto your current offset 44 & keep the 18 transfer case?

 

Just my opinion, but don't see anything wrong with the 27 front and offset 44 rear, and can do all kinds of brake upgrades, lots of guys still run them.

 

Nice thread thanks for the information, I really like your tire carrier that will come in handy also... The spindle you used was from A-Z fab?

 

Thanks for all the replies and info. I did mean Dana 18 and I think that I have a T-90 not a T-14. I am going to pull it next week so that I can know for sure and rebuild it. I know that it has a Synchronized 1st gear and 3 speed if that helps identify it?

I have 3.73 gears with 31x10.50 tires. My Jeeping is mainly going to be local trails and some hunting in Utah but no rock crawling or anything crazy.

I have decided based mainly on budget and ease to pull the 11" brakes from the D44 and put it on my D44-2 and swap in the D30 with the 11" drums on the front. The cost of switching gears or going with the Tera gears is to expensive right now. So I will upgrade the rear to a full floater and possibly do the Tera gears later if I need to.

So now that leaves me with a D-20transfer case, a D-44 axle (minus the brakes) and a D-27 axle to sell. any idea of how much there worth?? I am going to post them up with pic's here in a couple of weeks.

 

Thanks I have talked to 3 different parts guys and they couldn't tell me which trans had synchro 1st. It must be a T-14 then, I will confirm that once I pull it.
I know that it's the original trans that came with the jeep in 69.

 

That would be the T14.
Your avatar pic brings back a lot of memories. My dad has a 69 the same color as yours-bone stock 'cept for O/D & PTO winch.