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Dana 20 vs Dana 18 driveline angles

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jdjsback, Mar 27, 2005.

  1. Mar 27, 2005
    jdjsback

    jdjsback New Member

    San Clemente,...
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2005
    Messages:
    28
    Ok, here’s the deal, if you want something done right, do it yourself, right. I have a 66 Kaiser with the Dauntless, turbo 350 Trans and the Dana 18 (big hole). I was not happy with the brakes or the axles so I trusted my buddy whom has been a certified mechanic for probably 15-20 year and has always been a walking encyclopedia of automotive knowledge in the past. Well he came up with a Dana 35 for the front and an AMC20 for the rear, (know you see my problem). I was unaware of the problem until it was much too late. I know own the OX locker, one piece axles kit and gears for both, and have owned them for quite some time now, as I have taken over all work since nothing was getting done. Anyway enough venting, right; I have been overwhelmed by the amount of good info I have gotten from this site, so guys, help me out. Should I just take the easy way out and go with the Dana 20 do the gear swap and hope for the best on the driveline angle or, do I start turning over rocks trying to score the elusive flanged Dana 44?? I do like the extra 4” of width the AMC 20 provides… Please help before I jump in front of a speeding bus… :shock:
     
    jdjsback, Mar 27, 2005
    #1
  2. Mar 27, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,524
    the "elusive flanged D44" is the offset version that works for the D18 t/case
    if running a D20 t/case, then the "centered" D44 flanged axle probably should be used; they are readily available, post office Jeeps etc...
    I think there is also a AMC 20 diff that is offset if used behind the Q-Trac (CJ7)
    hth, I'm no expert
     
    jpflat2a, Mar 27, 2005
    #2
  3. Mar 27, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    Yup there was an offset AMC 20 in the quadratrac 7s. Are you axles widetack or narrow track? I just read an issues of JP magazine and it had an article about rubbing a centered rear axle with the dana 18 case. The autthor had a single CV rear driveshaft and had vibration issues. Then got a dual CV shaft and all the issues went away. Right now I am leaning to the dual shaft driveshaft because i have a dana 20, so if i get a rebuild kit, and buy the extra gear to put the 18 gears in the dana 20, i will have spent more money than getting my drive shaft sent out and have a second CV edded to it. So I am going to go that route. So that is an option.
     
    DanStew, Mar 27, 2005
    #3
  4. Mar 27, 2005
    tallyjeeper

    tallyjeeper Member

    Tallahassee, Florida
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2005
    Messages:
    134

    I'm no expert either, but the '76-'79 CJ7 w/ the full time 4-wheel drive(Quadratrac) system used an offset diff AMC 20 rear axle. In fact, I have one that I had originally planed on swapping into my A1. The extra width is nice, however, the two piece shaft design leaves something to be desired. The AMC would work fine as long as you ran tires 31" or smaller, or used a one-piece axle shaft kit(Superior Axle makes one).
     
    tallyjeeper, Mar 27, 2005
    #4
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