T18 to dana 20 adapter

looking to buy an adapter to mate my ford t18 to my dana 20. Looking at Advance Adapters, or Novak .... Any reason I should pick one over the other? Just curious... or is there another option I'm missing?
thanks....

 

I have the AA. The only problem I had was keeping the adapter plate from coming loose. There are 4 big allen head bolts that hold it to the back of the tranny, without locktite they would loosen enough for there to be movement between the tranny and trans case. I don't think it would have come off because the bolts couldn't back all of the way out, but I'm sure if left long enough some damage could have been done.

Other than that, no problems. The kit requires dis-assembly of the tranny as you are replacing the main shaft. I did a complete rebuild at the time and it was relatively easy, even for a novice. At the time, 12-13 years ago, I heard that Novak had a better product, but I don't have any personal experience. That was all hearsay.

Good luck, it's well worth it.

 

Might contact R&P at 503-557-8911. They build a Steel adapter to go from the Ford T-18 and T-19 to 18 and 20 transfer case. Much stronger than AA or Novak's aluminum adapters. They can also be reached at http://www.r-p4wd.com/

They are gone Elk hunting until tomorrow (Thursday, November 11, 2010) but will be back at the shop Friday they told me.
I've installed literally hundreds of these adapters with no issues. They recess the bolts enough to allow a lock washer to be used on 3 out of the 4 bolts to keep them from coming loose....

 

I used a Novak adapter with a previous conversion and had no problem.
I'm getting ready to mate a Ford T18 to a Dana 18 and have the Novak adapter in my garage.

 

I was really wondering why I never see steel adapters offered.... I'll look into that site. Really appreciate the input guys... I understand the transfer case bolts into threaded holes in the adapter? I would imagine steel would be much stronger and hold the weight of the t/c better...

 

Yes, the trans case bolts directly to the adapter plate, and is only supported by the bolts in to the aluminum plate. I put studs into the plate for ease of installing the trans case and to minimize the chance of stripping out the threads.

 

Aluminum is easier to work with, easier to cast, machine, etc. and is easier on machine tooling typically.

The steel is better in this application. Don't get me wrong, Novak and AA make good products, but I prefer the steel adapter so the threads don't pull out or get worn out. Had it happen on a couple of aluminum adapters over the years.

 

So is R&P the only company making them in steel?

 

Aftermarket, as far as I know. They were used from the factory in CJ's (hard to find sometimes), in full size Jeeps, Scout 2's (transfer case clocked different than Jeeps but can work). These were cast steel. Don't bother with a T-19 factory adapter used in IH. Won't work on a T-18.

The down side is these won't bolt directly to the back of a Ford style transmission case. The Ford case can be re-drilled and tapped to use the Jeep/IH adapter. You also have to plug off the bottom left bolt hole on the back of the case. You will still need the output shaft and spacer as well.

 

So Nick, will the IH T-19 adapter work with a Ford T-19 with redrilling etc?

 

Does R&P do adapters for NP435 to dana 20? Im looking to adapt that in one of these days/

 

Nope. Novak and AA are the only ones I'm aware of.

 

Should. Only thing that comes to mind is the mount. The factory T-19 adapter does not have a provision for a trans mount like the T-18 does. I'd have to look but I don't think the Ford T-19 transmission case has a mount provision like the IH case does. I'm putting together a Ford T-19 right now so I could look and see for sure tonight.

Just for info purposes, you can't use a stock T-18 adapter to 20 on a T-19 or vice verse without extensive re-working because of the mount issues and the counter shaft and reverse idler shaft are in different locations between the two. The aftermarket adapters typically accommodate this so one adapter can fit either.

 

That's exactly what I've been contemplating recently.
Was considering installing a Ford T19 with 5.11 synchronized first behind the D-225 and using the Jeep T-18 big hole (4" index) adapter.
So your saying that the R+P cast steel adapter will work but not the factory adapter. Interesting !

 

Yes, R&P's adapter will work with either the T-18 or T-19. The output shafts are unique to each however so you need to have the right one.
Just for clarification, R&P's adapters are not cast. They are one solid piece of steel that has been cut and machined.

 

does the R&P adapter work with the advance adapters tranny mount or is there a specific one for it?

 

R&P adapter is drilled and tapped for the stock T-18 rubber mount used in Jeep pu's and Wagons.

 

I'm going with the R&P adapter.. seems like a strong unit. I hope the mount is an easy to find part.
Thanks for all the replies :driving:

 

They stock those too. $23 or something like that. I know when you buy a complete transmission they include it. Not sure if they do with the adapter kit or not. They should be back from Elk Hunting now.

 

yeah, I'll make it easy on myself and order one up from them... they dont show one on their website. Good to know!
Thanks:stout: