Twin stick shifter for the Dana 300 transfer case in 1980-1986 Jeep CJ5, CJ7 and CJ8 Scrambler, replacing the worn single-lever shifter (OE 6450).
A 1980-1986 Jeep CJ with the Dana 300 transfer case almost always has a tired shifter by now: a lever that flops around, a boot torn open to the road, and linkage pins worn oval so the case is hard to pull into 4Lo or will not quite seat in neutral. This twin stick assembly, part number 18674.01 (OE reference 6450), replaces the single factory lever with two separate levers, one for range and one for the front output, for CJ5, CJ7 and CJ8 Scrambler owners who want a tight shifter and more control off road.
The Dana 300 has two shift rails inside the case, one for the range (high, neutral, low) and one for front axle engagement. The factory single lever moves both through one linkage in a fixed pattern. This kit gives each rail its own lever. According to the installation instructions for 18674.01, the rear lever selects low range, neutral and high range, and the front lever selects 4WD low, 2WD and 4WD high. That lets you run high or low range in either two- or four-wheel drive, including 2WD low on the rear axle only, which is useful for tight turns on a trail or for crawling a trailer into position without binding the front axle.
It is an external linkage. The kit bolts to the case through mounting plates and spacers and connects to the existing shift rods; the instructions do not call for opening the case. Leave the internal interlock alone. Advance Adapters warns in its own Dana 300 twin stick manual that removing the interlock pills lets the case go into low and high at the same time, and that damages the transfer case.
Raise the Jeep and watch the linkage while a helper moves the lever. If the lever moves but the shift rod does not, or the link pins are worn oval, the shifter is your problem and this kit fixes it. Then pull the link pin and move each shift rod by hand with the engine off. If a rail moves fully into each detent but the case still jumps out of low range under load, the wear is inside the case, in the rails, detents or sliding gear, and a new shifter will not cure it. Check the fluid on the drain plug for metal while you are under there. Cracked or leaking transfer case parts are a different job; our hard parts section has the driveline pieces we carry.
The Dana 300 was the CJ transfer case for this era, but some CJs have since been swapped to other cases, transmissions or adapters, and the mounting holes or lever clearance may differ. The kit has several sets of holes to adjust lever placement, and a floor cover may need trimming to give each lever full throw. The twin lever boot is not part of this assembly. If you are unsure what is in your Jeep, check the transfer case tag and send us the year and VIN before ordering.
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Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
The listing covers 1981-1986 CJ7 and 1980-1983 CJ5. The installation sheet says 1980-1986 CJs with the Dana 300, so a 1980 CJ7 with its original Dana 300 should take it, but send us your VIN if you want it checked.
No. The instructions only cover removing the old lever and bolting the twin stick to the case and shift rods. Do not remove the internal interlock; doing that can let the case engage high and low at once.
Yes. With the front lever in 2WD and the range lever in low, only the rear axle is driven in low range.
No. The twin lever boot is not part of this assembly, so order one separately if your old boot is torn or does not suit two levers.
The instructions call for 95-105 ft-lb on the mounting bolts, 10-15 ft-lb on the shifter pivot bolt, and snug on the rest. Lubricate all pivots after install.
If each rail goes fully into its detent and the case still jumps out under load, the wear is internal, such as worn rails, detents or gear teeth. A shifter fixes linkage slop, not internal wear.
