is it possible to convert a dana 20 to have an offset output like the dana 18. Anybody done this? anybody done a write up? any pictures or descriptions.

thanks

arndog

why not just use a dana18? its got lower gears and the same bolt pattern

the good dana 18s are getting harder to come buy. I am pretty sure that the dana 20 case is the desired case with reference to intermediate shaft and bore size

arndog

there is a guy at my work that converted a 20 case to an offset rear output i'll ask him specifics if i remember monday

please do I would appreciate it.

thanks

arndog

Why not put Dana 18 2.46:1 gears in you Dana 20. It'll be a lot more quiet on the road.

The 18 and 20 have an almost identical casing. Swap 18 gears in to a 20 case and you get an offset 20.. or ... an 18 .. with a 20 case ;) You'll need the 18's output housing too.

so...if i were to convert a Dana 20 into an offset Dana 20, (with Dana 18 gears), would i be able to put some kind of lower gears in it, like O'Brians or Tera Low????? and just order the Dana 18 gearset?

From everything I've read the big hole dana 18 and the dana 20 used identicle housings. So, if you take a dana 18 with a 1-1/4" intermediate shaft, put the internals in a dana 20 case you have a big hole dana 18. Therefore, yes, you should be able to just by the tera kit (or Obriens) for the dana 18.

the gears in the 1-1/8" case and the 1-1/4" case are the same, the bearings are different for the larger shaft

Yes you can do the swap and just order the lower gears for an 18. The 20 case is stronger

I swapped my D18 guts into a D20 case. The reason I did this was I needed a big hole case to work with my adapter. You basically need a complete D18 in order to do this. The input and output housings, shafts, shift rails, forks and so forth are different. You could use the D20 gears with D18 shafts and housings, but you'd get the D20 lousey 2.03 ratio. It's pretty straightforward. The only issue I had was with the fill plug. On the D20, it was located in the rear and interfered with the output housing. I plugged it with a flush mount plug and had another hole drilled and tapped on the side where the D18 fill plug was. The casting was still there for it so it was no problem. I also drilled and tapped the unused shift rail hole in the back so I can use that to overfill it if I want to.

arndog,
I have a bunch of D18 guts lying about anda spare 1-1/8" case.
you can have any or all of this junk for free if you want to pay for shipping

Correct me if I'm wrong......I have a 18 complete that I took out of my Cj-5 because the Dana 60 rear axle I put in was a centered pumpkin.....In went the 20 ........... I also miss the 2.46:1 and would love to swap my 18 gears into it. However my info saya I need an early Bronco rear output sliding gearrrrrrr!!!! I would probably have better luck finding gold!!!! Is this so, and if so is there an after market option available to use my 18 gears?????

I do know of a 3:1 kit available but it is about 750 dollaaass!! Tell me or share what you might....Thanks;)

Source of info requiring the early Bronco gear....http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/convxfer/2.46-20/

The 1 1/8" shaft cases can be bored out for a 1 1/4" shaft. It would probably be a small input hole though.

d18 gearsin a d20 :
The d18 needs to be a 1 1/4" intermediate shaft unit .Swap all parts use a t86 retainer ring for tanny to tcase and all done .Now your an offset d18 with a stronger case. (may have to do some clearancing on the inside of the case for the gears.)

d18 gears in a d20:
first you need a d18 with the 1 1/4" intermediate shaft.and the right gears in it. not all t-cases had the same part# gears in them.
gear......................................... spicer#.............................( tooth count )

input gear,heli cut...................# 18-8-23..............................(29)

high range output...................# 18-8-24................................( 29)
heli cut

intermediate gear ..................# 18-5-9 ................................(18 straight)
heli and straight cut............................................... .............( 39 heli cut teeth)
straight cut teeth

lower sliding gear, ..................# 18-8-22........................... (33 teeth)
straight cut teeth

Bronco sliding gear,....................# 18-8-58...........................(33 teeth)
straight cut teeth

you will be reusing the m20 shift forks and rails and shifter. Unless you do a twin stick conversion.

these are the gears you will need to do the swap. I did this last summer in our flattie for the centered 44 I scored.


I got the slider gear from jeffs bronco grave yard, Brighton Michigan
(248) 437-5060 It cost about $80 then

I also did a twin stick on it at the same time (didnt like the d20 single)
We got that from BORDER PARTS out of Spring Valley Ca. (619) 461- 0171
it was about $220 then.
Yea it was adding up fast for a d18-20 but I got a pretty tuff t-case now and no problems as of yet . Runs quite and shifts smooth.(almost to smooth since I kept the pills out of the shifters so as to have front wheel drive only. just got to make sure no one bumps the levers and send the axles hi/lo at the same time.)





:) :)

You can also use a complete Bronco D20 gearset and get the same 2.46 ratio.

why go through all that trouble when you can get a Newer Dana 18 and put 3:15's in it? i say screw this thought:flipoff2:

Originally posted by peeJ
why go through all that trouble when you can get a Newer Dana 18 and put 3:15's in it? i say screw this thought:flipoff2:

It's not any more trouble to add the Dana 18 low range gears to the Dana 20 than it is to add the 3.15 gearset. Dana 18 cases are also prone to cracking just to the right of the PTO output. Newer or older it doesn't matter. Dana 20 cases are much beefier in the crack prone area.

Also, it isn't necessary to use a combination of Dana 18 gears along with the Bronco sliding gear to get a lower geared Dana 20. It's one way to kill a cat, but not the only way. If you can get the entire Bronco transfer case that has the right sliding gear you can use the low range gearset from it and not be bothered with finding a 18 with the right gears. Been there and done it twice.