Decisions, decisions...

[NCheek]

Somewhere in the near future I'm going to be acquiring a DNe2 Overdrive. Upon installation into my truck, I have the option of mounting it on the back of my T-19 with the 4:1 1st gear, or mounting it onto a T-18 with the 6.32:1 1st gear.

I like the idea of having the lower 1st gear for launching with 3.55 gears, but I am worried about daily driveability with the wider spread. I just don't want to have to redline to keep from lugging the next gear.

What say you, IDI gods?

 

[FordGuy100]

Whats the 2nd gear ratio in the T-18? I launch in 2nd gear with my T-19, all I have to do is rev it up a bit and slip the clutch, even with my 3.54's (2nd gear maxes out at 35mph). But the T-18 is a non synchro'ed 1st gear, and that might be a pain in the **** sometimes (will grind trying to go into 1st sometimes, stuff like that).

 

[NCheek]

T-19 - 4.02, 2.41, 1.41, 1.00
T-18 - 6.32, 3.09, 1.69, 1.00

I will probably end up putting the T-18 in, but I don't want to lose my custom shift knob in the process...

I would just swap the top part of the shaft, but the t-18 has a one piece shaft and the t-19 splits next to the floorboard level.

Does anyone know if the top cover of the T-18 is interchangeable with the top cover of the T-19? If nothing else, the shift lever?

As far as losing the 1st gear synchro, I don't normally downshift further than 2nd gear anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem. And with the t-18 2nd gear being lower, it will be easier to get started.

 

[FordGuy100]

That 2-3 split is pretty big on the T-18 as well, but I like the 2nd gear ratio way better, that would be a better gear for me to launch in

 

[Agnem]

Just keep in mind Ford never put the T-18 behind a diesel. I think your first gear would be a complete waste.

 

[NCheek]

Just keep in mind Ford never put the T-18 behind a diesel. I think your first gear would be a complete waste.

But having the optional low gear instead of switching to 4.10's is what is tempting me, because with 3.55's and any load, the 1st gear launch leaves a lot to be desired. And even if it is too deep, I could leave the box in OD or just start in second...

 

[Agnem]

I believe Ford must have used 2 different 1st gear ratios in the T-19. I believe the 83-84 ones are different from the rest. My first gear in the Moose Truck is extremely effective. Maybe you just need an earlier T-19?

 

[hesutton]

With 3.55's and with 37 inch tires, I still find very little use for 1st gear other than starting from a dead stop on a hill or something. I think I could pull the house up the street with the truck in low range and 1st gear.

I've never driven an IDI with a T18, but that may be overkill kind of low.

Heath

 

[NCheek]

I believe Ford must have used 2 different 1st gear ratios in the T-19. I believe the 83-84 ones are different from the rest. My first gear in the Moose Truck is extremely effective. Maybe you just need an earlier T-19?

Well, I actually have all three configurations of the Borg Warner T-18/T-19 gear sets.

The T-18 with the lowest ratios, from behind an '85 302: 6.32, 3.09, 1.69, 1
The T-19 that was behind a 460 that is now in my 82: 5.11, 3.03, 1.79, 1
The t-19 that is behind my 6.9: 4.02, 2.41, 1.41, 1

Maybe there was some difference in the transmissions that ended up behind different trucks, I haven't a clue.

 

[NCheek]

Looking in signatures, i see that Sean's DD has a NP 435 (6.69) 1st Gear and DieselJD just swapped in a T-18, didn't he?

To you guys running the lower gearsets, what do you think of them?