I have a '79 F100 that's been converted to 4WD with a toploader 4 speed tranny(don't know what the tranny originally came out of - not original). I think it's a T18. The shifter almost hits the dash when I put it in 1st gear. Is there a way to identify the tranny and also tighten up the throw on the shifter? Any and all help appreciated!

 

Well as identifying the tranny goes i have a t-18 borgwarner 4 speed and if you look on the driverside and or passengerside there should be markings in the tranny that say borg-warner and if its a np435 it should have a new process marking on it.. if its a borg-warner it should be a t-18 or a t-19 the way to tell the difference between the two is by seeing if it has one or two pto covers on the transmission a t-19 should have two, one on the drivers side and one on the passenger side and a t-18 should have one on the passenger side. this is what i have read doing some searching.

as for the slop in the stick, i am not sure but my guess would be a lack for a better term the retainer thingy mabob for the shifter itself haha.. but i have seen alot of these sticks in these trucks and they are almost always close to the dash in 1st or granny gear... i am sure someone will chime in on this with some info on tighting up the shifter.

 

the new process 435 has a aluminum shift cover the borg warners won't also! the np435 reverse is far right and back where as the t18 if far right and forward

 

this interesting, i am sure i have a borg-warner tranny and i only have one pto cover so i was under the impression i had a t-18 tranny and my reverse is all the back and to the right... is there another way to identify these transmission ?

 

take the cover off your tranny tunnel in your floor board if its the np435 hands down will have an aluminum cover and a gear with "np" stamped into the top. if it hasnt been molested there will be a spec plate on the pto cover bolts i forgot how many pto's mine has i havnt looked in a while. that spec plate will tell you what it is and when it was assembled

 

The T18 has a cast top and has a bell shaped "nut" that tightens the shifter into the top. My guess is that something with the retainer setup is loose.

 

The reverse on a T-18 is far right and back, not forward.

 

Thanks to all for your responses - have to wait for the weekend to get a chance to tear into it and check it out - usually dark by the time I get home from work.