Dana 20

[Cube]

So my TC is finally starting to puke on me. I liked my dana 20 I was thinking of havnig it rebuilt maybe with a lower low gear. Or I was thinking maybe put a chevy TC behind my turbo 350 and sell my adator. so what do you guys think the pros and cons would be?

[Chop]

get the dana 20

[cornfed]

Let's look at your GM t-case options:
NP205: Heavy as hell, 1.96:1 low
NP203: Not as heavy as 2.5, 2.00 low
NP208: 2.61:1 low, chain driven, heavy duty
NP241: 2.72:1 low, chain driven, heavy duty
Any of those t-cases will require driveshaft, crossmember, trans tunnel modifications, and possibly exhaust modifications. You could find a 1980 Scout D300 which would be a swap which would require no other modifications and give you a 2.62:1 low range. But, finding one from an automatic would still set you back a few hundred and you wouldn't have a rebuilt case.

Personally, I'd rebuild the D20 with a set of Tera-low gears (3.15:1 low range for D20).
Contact DC4WD 540-473-1096 http://www.DC4WD.com for the lowest price around. It'll be an in/out job with no other modifications. If you want to burn more cash, upgrade the output to 32spline ($350+) and install some twinsticks and get rid of that crappy brass bushing factory shifter linkage.

[PavementPounder]

Consider the lower D20 gearing with the rebuild. Perhaps a budget gear swap using a D18.

[Roadhouse]

I would keep the D20, but do the low gear swap mentioned about. I know someone with that setup in their CJ7 w/V-8 D44's 38"s, spooled, ARB, etc..hasn't had a problem with the strength of the D20. And going to the 3.15:1 was a huge improvement, over the stock 2:1.

[Chop]

can a D20 be fliped?? nice site cornfed

[Cube]

ok the lower gear set is like 700 or 600 bones, hmmmmm

[Roadhouse]

Originally Posted by Cube

ok the lower gear set is like 700 or 600 bones, hmmmmm

My buddy bought his on ebay or Pirate....new in the box for around $400. Try lookin' around for a while before buying new.

[Cube]

dam I will have to keep and eye out for that

[Haggar]

Overall, whats your drivetrain setup?

Motor, trans(TH350?) axle gears, and tire size?

For maybe $200, you coudl probably get all the parts to put in a Dana 18 low range to get to 2.46:1, don't know if thats the range you want. I've seen people have good luck with NP208s as well.

[cornfed]

Originally Posted by Jeepinlunatic

can a D20 be fliped?? nice site cornfed

Here's the only clocking ring I know about for the D20. Bulltear Link

[Chop]

Originally Posted by cornfed

Here's the only clocking ring I know about for the D20. Bulltear Link

thank bud eather a d300 or a d20 will be in my future not sure if im going to flip or run a diffrent front axle i have a 9 inch for the rear and a T18 trans. still planing and getting ideas. but thank for the info

[Cube]

Originally Posted by Haggar

Overall, whats your drivetrain setup?

Motor, trans(TH350?) axle gears, and tire size?

For maybe $200, you coudl probably get all the parts to put in a Dana 18 low range to get to 2.46:1, don't know if thats the range you want. I've seen people have good luck with NP208s as well.

I have a 350, turbo 350, and running 35 inch tires with 4.88 gears

[shawn]

I'd keep the 20 and get better gears for it, but what exactly is wrong with your current one? I rarely hear of any problems with a 20 or 300. If you are going ot get a different t/c and adapter it would probably cost more than just putting the $$ forth for the gears.

[Cube]

yea its just old, just getting real real hard to get into gear now and leaking like crazy, yea I just had the linkage rebuild and new yoke so I am thinking of doing a total rebuild on it, I wish I could find cheaper gears, I mean the TC is almost 30 years old you know

[Haggar]

With that setup, I'd think running a 2.46:1 low range would be ideal for all around michigan wheeling..

3.15:1 is going to end up being pretty low for 1st gear and reverse in low range.

Need a Dana 18 T-case and a gear from a Bronco Dana 20.. I think Jeff's bronco graveyard sells the gears..

[Muttly]

I'm running the d-18/bronco gears in a dana 20. 4.88's locked t-18 35-15.50 swampers and an amc 360.... I've busted the rear output and chucked a few driveshafts, but the old 20 is still strong. I looked at the 3.15 low gears, but that's alot of $ to go from 2.46 to 3.15. (plus the granny gear in the tranny helps alot) Dana 20's are everywhere and dirt cheap, plus if you go chevy t-case you loose alot of rear driveshaft.