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Decisions Decisons Dana 18 Vs Dana 20

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Mar 28, 2005.

  1. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Well here is the dilemma. Centered rear axle and offset Dana 18.

    Choices

    1, Throw on Dana 20 Free.. but it will bbe $178 if i have to rebuild it

    2. Buy CV joint for rear shaft and new yoke for CV Joint. $185 (CV) and $60 for new yoke.

    I need to decide. With the Dana 20 i can have a regular spare driveshaft made for a trail shaft, for the Dana 18 i will need another dual CV shaft.

    The Dana 20 has cruddy gears, and i will have to spend more money on the bronco gear to run 18 gears.

    What would you guys do?? I will check the dana 20 when i get home, if there is no play in the shaft and the bearings are OK i will slap it in and run it like that so i can get to Tellico, and rebuild it later on.

    I was hoping getting the CV would be cheaper than rebuilding the dana 20 but it really is not.
     
    DanStew, Mar 28, 2005
    #1
  2. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Dan for the money and headaches its gonna cost you to change to the dana 20 you can have another rear driveshaft made to match the dana 18 that will be a trail spare. Why did you change to a centered rear axle to start with?

    I take it since you want to change something that seems to works good that the wind changed direction again this mornin.:DR)
    You need to start fighting these urges you keep comin up with.;):D
     
    Mcruff, Mar 28, 2005
    #2
  3. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    for me it's simple
    run an offset rear axle with a D18
    run a centered axle with a D20
    my 0.2 worth
     
    jpflat2a, Mar 28, 2005
    #3
  4. michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    I have a Centered 44 I need to get rid of! I need the 3.73 Powerloc out of it but other than that, I was going to sell it cheeeeep. Bring it to Tellico w/ your windshield?? R)
     
    michigan_pinstripes, Mar 28, 2005
    #4
  5. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    I got the rear axle for free. So that is why it is centered, but didnt really mind since i do have the 20 laying around. I think alot of it is that i am putting the axles in now and not waiting. So I am guessing i will slap some oil in the dana 20 and use that. Only problem i just thoguht about is i need the dana 20 bullgear, but hopefully a buddy of mine has one, or i can get one pretty easily, I doubt my dana 18 one will work unfortuantely. The Dana 18 i have in, the shaft is offset too much for my liking. Little decisions that have to be made ;)
     
    DanStew, Mar 28, 2005
    #5
  6. michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    I have a Dana 20 for free too!
     
    michigan_pinstripes, Mar 28, 2005
    #6
  7. oldjeep

    oldjeep Sisyphus at work

    What spline count bullgear do you need? 6 or 10? And which gear pitch?
     
    oldjeep, Mar 28, 2005
    #7
  8. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    The spline is 6 spline. not sure bout the pitch, i can get a picture of the inside of the 20 case later tonight. Do you mean straight cut or helical cut??
     
    DanStew, Mar 28, 2005
    #8
  9. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    If you have a freebie dana 20 laying around bring it to tellico, i will need another for the commando :)
     
    DanStew, Mar 28, 2005
    #9
  10. oldjeep

    oldjeep Sisyphus at work

    You need to look at the numbers on one of the gears and then look at this chart:
    http://novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transfer_case_gears_grid.htm

    There are 17.5 degree gears and 20 degree gears. If you mix and match you get a lot of noise and gear failures. I've got some 6 spline 26 tooth bullgears laying around. I can check to see which pitch they are. I run the Th400 bullgear now so they are of no use to me. (Actually have one of them in the wrong pitch too)
     
    oldjeep, Mar 28, 2005
    #10
  11. oldjeep

    oldjeep Sisyphus at work

    Took a look at the parts pile. I've got a couple of the 18-8-19 gear which is the 20 degree pitch if you need one.
     
    oldjeep, Mar 28, 2005
    #11
  12. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    That works with a 26 tooth model 18 transfer case. Won't work for a 20 transfer case. Nickmil.
     
    nickmil, Mar 28, 2005
    #12
  13. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    OK. I took a look at the Dana 20. Seems all the bearings are just fine to use. I will probably get new yoke oil seals, but there is no growling or rough feeling and the intermeiate shaft is tight, so that is some good news. I counted the teeth on the gear and i came up with 34 teeth. So i need the bullgear that is 6 spline and X number of teeth to go with the intermediate gear. If anyone can tell by the pitch on the gears please let me know, i am not sure. I am trying to rememember the person who i sold a T15 to, that tranny had the bullgear on the backside of it, if you read this could you read me the number on the back of the T15, because that will be the gear i need :)
     
    DanStew, Mar 28, 2005
    #13
  14. oldjeep

    oldjeep Sisyphus at work

    sure will, Both the D18 and D20 bull gear have the same jeep part number. 937339 and I had this one in a D20 (Plus Novaks chart says they interchange)
     
    oldjeep, Mar 28, 2005
    #14
  15. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    OK, i got down and dirty and strained my eyes enough to get the nubmers off the intermediate gear. I cross referenced it and i need to get the following bull gear

    18-8-46

    This is th egear I need, if anyone has one, please let me know. gonna post this in the wanted section.
     
    DanStew, Mar 28, 2005
    #15
  16. maxx

    maxx Banned

    Dan? :) just buy an Atlas T-case and forgetabout it. :twisted: Its cheaper in the long run, no hard to find parts to chase down, no leaks, no nothing but a very low bullet proof low gear.
     
    maxx, Mar 29, 2005
    #16
  17. oldjeep

    oldjeep Sisyphus at work


    According to the chart you can also use 18-8-55
     
    oldjeep, Mar 29, 2005
    #17
  18. DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Cool, just looked at that. I will put that one in the wanted post :)

    Thanks!!
     
    DanStew, Mar 29, 2005
    #18