2wd dually, bring it home or let it go?

[Vombrown]

Ok to preface, I need a dually. Well need might be stretching it but you get the drift.

It's a 76 c-30 with a fresh 396/400 turbo. Truck hasn't been driven in about 4 years. I need it to be 4wd as getting up on my mountain is a no-go without it after September in 2wd. I have all the parts for the swap except crossover steering I think. Questions:

I have a GM specific Dana 20 that will bolt to the turbo 400. Wondering if it will take the torque. (Stock rebuild on the 396)

Engine cross member: How much lift will I need to clear the differential if I don't want to swap it out?

I have a Dana 44 8 lug outside and most of the brackets should swap from a parts suburban. It's cheap, I can get it for 700 bucks and the body is decent with a good flatbed. Webber carb on it too which is sort of unusual, I guess.

 

[Justin V]

700 bones is a buy if it runs...


By the way, we have been missing you, you hiding or what?

 

[Vombrown]

I've been on hiatus working on our new house. Spending days moving yards of dirt and gravel around my property. It's just been a Shite show. I haven't had time to scratch my butt much less work on anything or spend any time online. Combine that with my leather work business booming and you get an over worked dude...LOL

This truck is sitting not far from my house and I really need to go over with a hot battery and some gas to crank it. Owner has a ton of receipts from the rebuild of the drivetrain. I will admit to being a little spooked that it has sat all this time but they did have some circumstances pop up. My only issue is that I need it to be 4x4 before winter. If not it will just sit up here like the other horde of trucks that I have and won't be able to use. I keep staring at my diesel project sitting on an engine stand hoping to have time to work on it soon.

 

[Justin V]

Copy that.

 

[76zimmer]

Buy it
But realistically can you get a swap done with all you have happening?
I think that D20 might be a weak link in that drivetrain

 

[Vombrown]

Buy it
But realistically can you get a swap done with all you have happening?
I think that D20 might be a weak link in that drivetrain

I've heard conflicting opinions on Dana 20's. That was the reason for the question. I've seen builds with sand dragsters that used them behind blown alcohol trucks and them grenade behind rock crawlers with 37's but for light off-road and towing? It might be OK, who knows...but it is what I have on hand.

Time wise, yes...I am pushed for sure but I am due for a break. I feel like if I pulled all the parts and layer them out in the shop I could do the swap and get it road worthy in a day or two. Ordering drive lines of course will take longer but getting the transfer case, springs, front axle in would go pretty fast. Like hours, not days. Then slam the drive lines and crossover steering in when they come in. Voala, good to go....in theory. LOL

 

[76zimmer]

Figure twice as long and twice as much!
I think that t/c is stout for what it is...if a person drove it reasonably sensible it would prob be ok, but I don't seem to be able to do that!

 

[nvrenuf]

"Back in the day" a woman at a local mud bog ran an under geared K5 on 44 Hawgs with a TH400/D20. I watched her break the set up a couple of times, usually splitting the shell open. If you're not wheeling / working it hard you'd probably be alright but I wouldn't look for it to stand up to a real test.

 

[Vombrown]

"Back in the day" a woman at a local mud bog ran an under geared K5 on 44 Hawgs with a TH400/D20. I watched her break the set up a couple of times, usually splitting the shell open. If you're not wheeling / working it hard you'd probably be alright but I wouldn't look for it to stand up to a real test.

I don't hardcore wheel anymore, or really anything of the like but my driveway is harder than most "trails" nowadays people use. I don't tow heavy trailers anymore, I have a dodge for when I need to. It would mostly see hay bales and critter feed on the flatbed. Largest tire would be a 285-16 so, while I am pretty sure it would be ok in this scenario there just isn't a way to know. The real and main reason for its use is that I have it on hand and it has a PTO winch setup on it that I could REALLY use in the near future.

 

[blazinzuk]

I have some experience with the Dana 20. They do not take a shock load well. Or at all really. If your in 4 tires spinning,even slightly, and you hit good traction, it will break it. Also the input and output shafts are smallish and if not great quality steel.

If you were careful, I'd imagine it would live for a while, but it will break at some point

 

[nvrenuf]

I have no personal experience with the D20's, are they 32 spline? Special tailshaft for the th400 or does it use one of the usual shafts?