D20 Questions

I'm in need of a used D20 transfer case for my '74. I'm looking at this one on Ebay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7932304267&sspagename=ADME:B:WN:US:17.

What do I need to look out for? Does it matter what motor or tranny were in front of it? I know the D20 was used in CJs from 74-79 but I don't know much else about it. I looked at jeeptech.com but it doesn't tell me what models are compatable. I know the D20 isn't the most desirable Xfer case because of the low range, but I really just need something cheap that can be swapped in directly. Thanks

-Steve

 

It's got a tag. Ask the seller what the Jeep P/N is and compare it with the chart on Novak's site. Do you have the original bull gear on the back of your transmission? Looks like this one does not come with a gear. Not an expert, but I expect that the tooth count and angle on your bull gear has to match this TC.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transfer_case_gears_grid.htm

 

not much to watch for. because its a straight thru design most of the case does not see much wear. the rear bearing cap has two taper bearings in it, so you can check the slop on that but because it comes off in a complete unit ( the rear bearing cap ) it is very easy to install new bearings.

but dont get so down on the 20 though. for possably very little money you can lower the low range to 2.46:1, from a measly 2.0?:1. all you need is the gears from the right dana-18 and the rear slider from a early bronco dana 20 and voila 8) creapy crawly. i did this conversion myself, i couldnt find the 18 gears so bought them new and that was only $400 cdn. that and adding a t-18a made my jeep just crazy in the bush.

oh, any dana-20 will bolt in place of yours, well except from a bronco, but even a scout one will work.

 

Sam's Offroad in Tulsa OK has the 3.15 Kit for the D20 for $715USD if I remember correctly..... With this and the $100 Dual Shifter kit, the D20 can almost be put up againt an Atlas II.

 

I think I'm going to bid on this one and see what happens. I sent the buyer some questions and he told me it came out of a CJ with a 304 & T18 about 45 days ago. He said it shifts very easily and everything is in working order. The only thing I'm a little dissappointed with is that he's in Reno and I'm in AL and he told me shipping would be $80. I guess it's worth it if I end up getting the TC cheap....

This all started because I went to put my CJ in 4wd low and drove about 20 feet and heard what sounded like a gunshot going off underneath me. I put it in 4-high and it did the same thing. It's worse when I lock the hubs but it doesn't do it at all in 2wd. Doesn't jump out of gear when it does it. I can drive another 20 feet and it'll do the same thing again. I'm not real familar with transfer cases, but I know this one scared the crap out of me. I think I'd be better off buying a cheap used case than having mine rebuilt. I'm on a tight budget and just want to get my 4wd working as cheap as possible. What could be causing these noises? Thanks

 

if that one falls thru on e-bay i got one sitting on the shop floor from a j-3000 truck with the bull gear and nut worked fine when pulled, 75.00 plus shipping from 01604. not sure how much they way in at but if your intersted i can way it, jason.

 

Sleone, I sent you a PM.

 

Sounds like a broken tooth on one of the gears. Since you have to take it out anyway you might as well see what it is. Replacing a single gear or shaft could be a lot cheaper. Or not!

 

That transfercase was immediately relisted so if you want it you might retry.

You might want to try, http://www.dirtroad.com/

Look in the free classifieds.

 

I assume you have a centered pumpkin diff.

Too bad your not closer --I also have a D20 I would like to clear out of the garage. It came out of someone elses unfinished "resto" project Jeep that I bought and parted out. The drivetrain was freshly assembled and painted but never ran it. It may be completely gone through already but I just can't run it to find out. Mystery grab bag special $50 plus freight.

 

Jon - I PM'd you. Grab bag special it is!

 

The one listed on the E-bay link is not a /72-/79 CJ model 20. It will bolt right up with no problems but the issue is the linkage. You will have to modify your linkage to work with it. If you look close, the shift rails are different on the ends, and slightly different lengths sticking out of the end of the front housing. The housing is also slightly different. The '72-'79 linkage has a step in the front output housing where the two shift rails come out, by that I mean the boss that one shift rail comes out sticks out further than the other. Don't get me wrong, it can be made to work, just don't expect your linkage to be "plug and play". Nickmil.

 

Is there a difference between intermediate and late CJ D20? The guy on e-bay said it came out of a CJ with a 304 & T18. I'm looking for just bolt in and go and want to make sure I get the right thing. Thanks for your help

 

Was Working on My Dana 20 Last night Went to A fellow jeepers house and Tore it Down and began to install the Novak-adapt MAster rebuild kit. I would pick one up Cheap like the 50 and 75 dollar ones offered by two fellow members here and invest the 180 bucks in a rebuild kit before installing it might as well while it is out better now than in 2 months if there was anything wrong. BTW ROLL TIDE ROLL Baby

 

'72 to '79 CJ's used the same linkage, gears, etc. regardless of transmission used except on the T-14 equipped '72-'75 that used a 10 spline bull gear instead of the usual 6 spline. CJ-7's from '76 to '79 with the auto was offered with Q-track only (I believe). All the Commando's that I've seen were different, Wagons, and pickups were definitely different. Some it was dependent on whether an Auto trans was used or a manual also. I'll probably get in trouble for these blanket statements as there is always an exception to the rule, but these are good general guidelines. Nickmil.

 

Ok - Jon said that the TC he has was bolted to a T14. What do I need to do to make it work with my T15? I'm not real familar with transfer cases but I think that when you say bull gear you're referring to the mainshaft gear, correct? Could I swap bull gears between my TC and Jon's? Would it require me to change the output shaft? Thanks

 

The bull gear is actually the input gear to the transfer case. It is splined onto the output shaft of the transmission and held on with a big nut. No changing of transmission parts needed. Just remove big nut, the washer behind it, and slide the gear off of the splines. When you install the gear, make sure you put a dab of thread locker on the threads so the nut can't back off. If your old gear is good then you can use it with his transfer case as long as it is a '72-'79. If yours is bad get the # off of it and search for a good used one. If you want to confirm the gear compatibility ask him for the # off of his old gear, get the # off of your input gear, and cross reference them on the chart on Novak's web site. The #'s will be different due to the spline count difference, but you can cross reference them to make sure the tooth pitch is correct. Nickmil.

 

Pic of my D20. It looks like the one on ebaY? Nickmil what do you think?

 

Looks the same. Those aren't '72-'79 CJ model 20's. They are Wagoneer/Pickup, or Commando model 20's. See the slots in the end of the shift rails? The CJ shift rails aren't slotted. I actually used the style you show in my race Jeep and twin sticked it. Made it nice and easy to build the linkage. Regardless, they appear the same and your linkage should interchange with no problems. Nickmil.

 

I see what you mean. I got up under mine and took a picture. The shift rails are flat. Kinda the opposite of the ones in the previous pictures. They use a bracket and nuts with cotter pins to attach the linkage. How hard would it be to make Jon's TC work with my linkage?