Chevy 69-74 Dana 20 T-case......how many have it in their rigs?????

[7387chevynut]

It amazes me how many chevy 4x4 guys i meet that dont know GM used this little gear drive T-case in some 69-74 4x4s.

From what I know, it was only offered behind 3sp or SM465 4spd manual trannys, and with smaller motors (250-six/307-v8). I've only ever seen it in (69-72 models).........and one 74 stripped down k5 blazer with 3spd on column. So finding a 73/74 model with it is twice as hard to find as a (69-72) And it has a slightly lower low range than a 205......2.03......v.s 1.96 of a 205.

The only thing I've ever heard bad about it was the shift pattern ( U or J style)...........I've seen some early 70's jeep trucks with this U/J style shift pattern.

So how many have it in their 69-74 rigs???...do you like it? hate it?

 

[76zimmer]

I got one in a Jeepster....the only thing I don't like about it is the shifter detent balls for the shifter handle are worn out, allowing the lever to move around. I got it behind a T-86 trans, and a Buick V-6....I like it real well for that app.

 

[3 on the tree]

Got one in my 70, 6 cylinder, 3 speed K5. The shift pattern sucks.

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

I got one in a Jeepster....the only thing I don't like about it is the shifter detent balls for the shifter handle are worn out, allowing the lever to move around. I got it behind a T-86 trans, and a Buick V-6....I like it real well for that app.

I know you can put Dana 18 internals in the D 20 case with a little work. This gets you the 2.46 low range of the Dana 18. Is it possible to use the twin stick setup and shift tower from the Dana 18 as well?

 

[76zimmer]

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/dana_20_twin_stix.htm

 

[resurrected_jimmy]

guess that means the Dana 18 shift tower is not a direct bolt on then.....

The refernece library on Novak is a good tool, I had forgotten about hem

 

[7387chevynut]

Since I collect chevy 4x4 parts......I might be looking for a 69-74 dana 20 & shifter......now I know these arent common.......but they arent too desirable either since GM never offred them behind an auto trans'.........anybody ever buy one? how much do they sell for??

 

[76zimmer]

Jeep had them in some applications in 66-71 behind the buick v-6 was a t400 with the D20

 

[imiceman44]

Jeep had them in some applications in 66-71 behind the buick v-6 was a t400 with the D20

I have that combo in my jeep wagoneer, they had it behind a buick 350 V8
The D20 to mate to the th400 32 spline output needed an intermediate stub shaft to convert to the six spline input on the D20, and the adapter holds that stub with a big bearing.
I like it for the lighter trucks but I don't think it compares to the 205 which is more common and much stronger so i wouldn't bother putting it in a K5 except for nostalgia, and i wouldn't wheel it.

 

[colbystephens]

until recently i think that billavista had a dana20 in his buggy. now he's got an atlas.... in his atlas write-up he's got pics of how he blew up a couple of those dana20s.