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Dana 20 twin stick interlock pill question

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by DrDanteIII, Aug 9, 2010.

  1. Aug 9, 2010
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    I feel like a dumbarse because i searched, read 12 threads, and stillcouldnt quite put together the information I'm looking for.


    If I twin stick my d20, but DO NOT remove the interlock pill what drive modes will I ge able to use?

    Obviously I could get 2-hi, 4-high, neutral, 4-low. I know I can't get 2-low front only. But can I get 2-low rear only?


    If I can get 2-low rear I wouldn't bother removing the interlock pill.
     
  2. Aug 9, 2010
    xarmtdawg

    xarmtdawg Member

    Tucson, AZ
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    Aug 11, 2009
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    73
    I run the JB fab twin sticks. Did not remove any pills.

    I have:
    2 high
    2 low rear only
    4 low
    4 high
     
  3. Aug 9, 2010
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    According to previous threads, 2LO is not locked out on the D20. You can get 2LO by placing the shifter half-way between 2HI and 4LO. It's not marked on the knob, but several posters say it's there.

    If this is true, I wonder why anybody would bother to twin-stick a D20. Apparently the setup is different from the D18, where one lever controls the HI-LO and the other engages/disengages the front axle. On the D20, I recall that each shift rod controls an axle. Thus the lockout on a D20 shifter prevents putting one axle in LO and the other in HI - not a good scenario.

    Pretty sure that's what's going on. Seems that a D20 twin-stick would make shifting easier, but not provide any additional (usable) function. I'm sure I'll be corrected if this is not right.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2010
  4. Aug 9, 2010
    DrDanteIII

    DrDanteIII Master Procrastinator

    Milford NJ 08848
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    That's kind of what I was thinking. when I rebuilt/tera-lowed my d20 I lost my 2low position, so I was hoping the twin stick would reclaim that.

    And honestly, its a "look at all the shifters I have" kind of thing, :D



    xmartdawg: That's exactly the answer I was looking for, especially since I'm looking at the JB fab sticks. Thanks!
     
  5. Aug 9, 2010
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    Feb 4, 2005
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    Yes, the twin stick will allow you to use 2-lo without removing the detent pills. But you will not be able to use front wheel low.

    The stock 2-lo is hit or miss. It seems to do with how worn the linkages are on the stock shifter.
     
  6. Aug 9, 2010
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    Feb 4, 2005
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    That is correct. Each shift lever controls one axle. The one closest to the driver controls the rear axle. The other one controls the front axle.

    Each shifter has a low-neutral-hi position for that axle. Without the detent pills it is possible to put one axle in high and the other in low (guilty :) ). Very rarely I found front wheel drive low useful but I don't think I would do it again.
     
  7. Aug 9, 2010
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    As usual with Jeeps, I would like to add "it depends". I have the JB fab twin stick, never removed the detent pins and I have 2LO/2HI for front or rear as well as the 4LO/4HI. I know the detent works because I certainly can't put one in LO and the other in HI.

    But...(there's always a but)...I am using a D20 out of a J truck, used to have the "U" shift pattern which is different than the CJ D20 straight front to back shift pattern. Not sure if that's the reason. My left side shifter works the rear axle, the right side works the front...toward the firewall is LO.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2010
  8. Aug 9, 2010
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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  9. Aug 10, 2010
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Just a heads up here for clarification.
    The INTERLOCK is what keeps you from shifting more than one shift rail at a time, i.e. keeps you from shifting into gears that shouldn't be shifted into.

    The DETENT is the spring loaded device, usually a ball or something similar, that helps hold the shift rail into it's place once the transmission or transfer case is shifted into a specific gear.

    The INTERLOCK is what's removed to allow more gear options.

    DON'T remove the detent balls or springs or you will most likely suffer from popping out of gear, incomplete shifts, etc.


    On another note, I've found tons of Waggy and PU 20 shift rails worn in such a way that could allow rear 2 wheel drive low. I suspect that's why some have this option. having torn apart literally hundreds of 20's I've NEVER seen one with this position in the shift rails from the factory but have seen tons of them worn that would allow it. I suspect it is the shifter getting worn not allowing a complete shift causing the shift rail to get worn enough to allow it.
     
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