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om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 1:00 pm
by 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.
Re: om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:14 pm
by 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?
Re: om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:49 pm
by 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.
Re: om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2020 9:34 am
by rocklaurence
Id opt for the AX15 vs the T18. Strong enough and has overdrive that is needed for hi way speeds
Re: om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2021 3:00 pm
by 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.
Re: om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Thu May 05, 2022 10:24 am
by 230ohc
Billybob535 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:49 pm
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.
Re: om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2023 11:32 am
by 230ohc
As of Dec. 31 2022 Mercedes diesel 4x4 is out of business.
Re: om617 Ford T-18 1979 4 dr Cherokee - Transfer case selection
Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2023 5:00 am
by rocklaurence
rocklaurence wrote: ↑Tue Nov 10, 2020 9:34 am
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.