D 20 Twin Stick

Besides JB Custom Fabrication, what other options are there?

 

The Novak site sends you there way...
It must be good.

 

I've got the jb fab unit, its very nice.

 

there are some others I saw when I was looking. Quadratech may have a unit. But it was pretty cheap looking. I too went with JB.. Top drawer.
Here's Omix's version OMIX 18674.01 Twin Stick Shifter Assembly For 80-86 Jeep CJ5, CJ7 & CJ8 for Dana Model 300 Transfer Case

 

Thanks Guys, I didn't think there was much else out there.
I'd never buy Omix, I'd be worried about bending the rods.

My transfer case has become harder to shift, I actually put an extension pipe on the lever and forced it to go thru it's full range, at one point I thought the pivot balls were going to break. But it shifts better now.

with all the grease and oil down there you wouldn't think anything could rust, but the front axle shift rod had rust on it. now that it is working properly, and I am keeping it lubed, I am considering the twin stick option.

Now I just have to push myself over the edge.

 

It's not lack of lube but lack of engineering on Jeeps part. Just get the twin stick and and get it over with. Buy once cry once.

 

I'm a big fan of the JB. Kit. Pretty easy to install , just wish I hadn't waited so long to buy it.

 

I have read that tunnel modification was needed on the intermediates, some even said it was extensive? Don't get me wrong modifying isn't an issue, just how much.

 

It’s common for the 20 poppet balls to rust. Jeep used plastic plugs in the top of the bores (top of the front output housing). Water would seep in causing rust. Many times the plugs are just plain missing.
A twin stick conversion will not fix transfer case issues though.
I also vote for the JB kit. I used to build kits and quit when JB came out with theirs as they are so nice and affordable.

 

Yes on mine I had to do some south of the border engineering. Then I fabbed a new cover piece.

 

Talked to JB Fabrication, they said minimal trimming needed, SO, I ordered their kit.
Now, .... Hurry up and Wait

 

Alright, time to get started,..........





As soon as I pulled the cover, I knew I was in trouble. When I installed the T-18, two decades ago, I forgot that I modified and extended the mount rail so the transfer case shifter would be exactly where it used to be. Which mean neither JB Fabs kit for D20 long or short is going to fit.



So I asked JB Fab if they would sell me the hardware kit for the long version and I will Modify as necessary.
We'll see what they say. I can modify without there kit but SS hardware is harder to obtain. And if I use regular stuff it will be rusted solid in a year.

Again hurry up and wait.

 

Quick customer service response!
Long style parts kit ordered and shipped.
Now to remove the unwanted parts of my current shifter. When did it start raining......... the Jeep is not in the garage, so I'll wait........

 

Got a slow start today, and this is all I have to show for 6 hours work.



The pins refused to let go, but they're out.



Now the bad news, with the transfer case in neutral, and the trailer in the garage, I need to remove the skid plate to lower the tranny to remove the shift lever pivot bolt.

Oh, and the steel lines I put in for the FiTech, are leaking. I've ordered fittings to resolve this but they won't be here until Thurs.

And it looks like I will have to cut 2 to 4 inches of the pass side tranny tunnel to make room for the shift levers...... or learn to weld SS and redesign the shifter.

I think it's time to quit, put my feet up, and find something to drink.

 

All the things I didn't want to do, I had to do,........
I removed the front drive shaft for better access.
I removed the skid plate so I could lower the transfer case to try to remove the shifter pivot bolt, then I had to remove the exhaust to aid in this process. But alas, I couldn't lower it far enough. So I drilled a 3" access hole which also allowed for the elbow of the new shiftrer the room it needed. I only had to notch 1/2" x 1" out of the trans tunnel to allow unhindered movement of the levers. I got everything put back together except for the front drive shaft, it needs degreased before it gets reinstalled.














If I had the ability, on the right hand shifter, instead of a 90 Deg, if it was a 45 Deg, it wouldn't hit the tunnel. But it's in and it works great.

 

Yeah that pivot bolt is a pain. I didn't make a hole but I cut a notch. Sheet metal work ensued. In the end, it is far better than the Rube Goldberg Jeep setup.