Stuka wrote:The rear of the i6 is farther back into the engine bay than the rear of a V8, which then moves the trans forward.
The ranger would push things back and basically act like the long input shaft/spacer that factory V8 manuals used. But yeah, a Jeep T18a from a V8 would be a cheaper route.
Yeah, the I6 is narrower and fits back up against the hump in the firewall. Roughly 2.5-4 inches of a difference.
To keep the manual tranny closer to where I would want it in the cab requires the Ranger no matter what tranny I pick. So either way, I'm leaning toward the Ranger.
The t90 I have sat in pretty much the same spot in that waggie as the t18 currently does in my truck. My t90 is the J version specifically for the FSJ rigs with the longer output shaft.
The T18 is pretty much a 3 speed on the street because of that low 1st gear. I don't do a lot of hardcore wheeling anymore and seldom use 1st gear in the truck.
If I had a chance to do the t18/401 combo over, I would've went for a 5 speed, or 6 speed for more options in shifting on and off road.
So I wouldn't want to put the t18 in the wagoneer unless it had the Ranger, too. I actually have a spare T18/Dana 20 combo complete with bellhousing and the spacer, too. But that's earmarked for a friend's FSJ. I really have no interest in re-doing a T-18 install for reasons already mentioned.
Here's an old pic of the Super console I had in my truck for awhile with the t18 shifter located in what was the stock location:
Not pretty. Hahaha.
All in all, no matter what manual tranny is used, to get the shifter to where I want it to be the Ranger is needed for moving any manual tranny shifter back to the sweet spot. More importantly, though, I also want it for more shifting options. Same money out the door either way with the t90, or the T18. Also just as much money to buy a 5, or 6 speed w/the correct transfer case and get that all to fit into the Super, too.
My buddy tried to get me to put in a SM420 instead of any other tranny. Hahaha. Year 67 is the one everyone wants.
I do have some time to consider all my options and recalculate the math/expense as nothing can really get done until my recovery from surgery.