Topic: Ford Dana 20

[Jeffy]

Now that Swink's got me thinking about the Dana 20, how do you run the speedometer?  I'm sure it's a cable setup.  Would a 231 unit drop in (1.75" hole)?  What's the difference between the T and J shifters?  Which is better?  Also, will the D20 need an adapter ring?  What years are the best? Do all the Fords have the same gearing?   Anything else I've missed on?

Trying to decide of I should just go with a SS 231 or a D20.  Right now, the cost of the D20 makes it appealing. but after it's all said and done which one would really cost less?

[jagular7]

Now that Swink's got me thinking about the Dana 20, how do you run the speedometer?  I'm sure it's a cable setup.  Would a 231 unit drop in (1.75" hole)?  What's the difference between the T and J shifters?  Which is better?  Also, will the D20 need an adapter ring?  What years are the best? Do all the Fords have the same gearing?   Anything else I've missed on?

Trying to decide of I should just go with a SS 231 or a D20.  Right now, the cost of the D20 makes it appealing. but after it's all said and done which one would really cost less?

Don't forget about the dual sticks it could have so doens't really matter of T or J shifter. Now, with the D20 and the 2.46 gear (IIRC), you could adapt a Toy case in front of that and get another low gear setup. I can't remember who makes the adapter, but that would be a nice setup.

[Jeffy]

Well, if I get the D20, I'm going to mate it to a Klune V David so gearing isn't that big of a deal but lower is better.  I was wondering what the difference between the sticks was.  I have to see how easy or hard it is to change the input shaft on the Klune too.  I'm still undecided if I want to stick with the AX-5 or not.  Mine has worked fine so there isn't really a need to change it.  So my drivetrain will hopefully be AX-5 to Klune V David (4:1) and either the 231-J or a D20.  That will give me something like 38.77:1 in the drivetrain.  I'm currently 4.56:1 but I'm planning on 5.38:1.  I think for the front, I'm going to go with an empty TJ D44 housing and give it some matching 5.38's and a locker of some type.  The best case would be to move my Detroit to the front and put a E-Trac on the rear.  I'd need to use TJ shafts and swap the short shafts too. For a 203:1 combination low.  I if I can get it to that stage the drivetrain will be done.  The suspension is 95% done and only need shocks.  Then it's onto the roll cage that needs to be finished.  And maybe, I'll add A/C.

[Jeffy]

No one have a D20?

[ratherbejeeping]

I have one. Scott Evans does too. but you already knew that.

Speaking of my D20, I got a little more work done on the shifter bracket last night.  Another night or 2 like that and it'll be done and I'll pull it out for painting and snap some pictures

[ratherbejeeping]

Scraped the piece I was working on, it wasn't strong enough and I needed to shift the whole thing over to keep the linkage from binding

[Jeffy]

[FourbangerYJ]

Now that Swink's got me thinking about the Dana 20, how do you run the speedometer?  I'm sure it's a cable setup.  Would a 231 unit drop in (1.75" hole)?  What's the difference between the T and J shifters?  Which is better?  Also, will the D20 need an adapter ring?  What years are the best? Do all the Fords have the same gearing?   Anything else I've missed on?

Trying to decide of I should just go with a SS 231 or a D20.  Right now, the cost of the D20 makes it appealing. but after it's all said and done which one would really cost less?

The Bronco D20 is a cable driven speedo. I use a adapter kit from Dakota Digital. The cost for both pieces is around $110 IIRC. The electronic box allows you to adjust your speedo by turn up or down some switches.  The 231 unit will not drop in. The hole for the D20 is alot smaller.
The biggest difference between the T and the J is the gearing. (I always get them mixed up) The earlier units IIRC 71 or OLDER have the lower gearing 2.46. From what I have been told they are easier to twin stick. There units are the ones you want. The 72 and later ones have 2.34 gears and the shift pattern is not the same. All the internal stuff can be swapped back and forth from what I understand. I just put in a output shaft assy. from a 72 and my D20 is a 71.
I a not sure if a adapter for the D20 to the AX5 is avail. I have not checked into it.
As far as price it would depend on what you spend on a D20,rebuild kit,wether or not you want twin sticks, 32 spline ouput or the 300M output, speedo adapters.
The SS SYE would be a cheaper thing to do.  You would need D-shaft work either way.

The biggest reason for me to do the D20 is the length. I wanted a short gear driven case to put behind the Klune.  18.5 inches from where the tranny bolts up to the middle of the rear yoke. I have had the setup for 2 years now and LOVE IT!!!

[Jeffy]

I don't need it to mate to the AX-5.  I think I'm going to go with a Klune V also.

[FourbangerYJ]

You will love it :D

[Jeffy]

Did you move your engine forward?  I forget.  I'm thinking that leaving the engine where it is and doing a Klune and either a D20 or a super slim 231.  I'm thinking that a TJ D44 front and regear to 5.38's would make it the cats ass in PJ's once I'm done.  That's if I can get around to gathering the money and parts.

Any picts?

[FourbangerYJ]

Did you move your engine forward?  I forget.  I'm thinking that leaving the engine where it is and doing a Klune and either a D20 or a super slim 231.  I'm thinking that a TJ D44 front and regear to 5.38's would make it the cats ass in PJ's once I'm done.  That's if I can get around to gathering the money and parts.

Any picts?

I had it moved 4 inches forward. My plan was to leave it to save money since I did not do the work. But after looking at it I changed my mind. My rear shaft is 20 inches. The front shaft is the stock one 40 inches. So roughly you would be looking at around 16 inch rear shaft or so. Another advantage of moving the motor is better weight transfer, and it raises the motor about a inch or more depending how far forward you go.
5.38's would love to beable to get those. Someday...
As far as PICS I'll look to see what I have. I really need to get better at the posting PIC thing. John might have a shot or two still.
It's kinda hard to get good PICS. I need better lighting. I'll work on it.

[ratherbejeeping]

Here's your pics Scott

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ratherbejeeping/album?.dir=8a2c&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

[FourbangerYJ]

Did you move your engine forward?  I forget.  I'm thinking that leaving the engine where it is and doing a Klune and either a D20 or a super slim 231.  I'm thinking that a TJ D44 front and regear to 5.38's would make it the cats ass in PJ's once I'm done.  That's if I can get around to gathering the money and parts.

Any picts?

I thought long and hard about keeping the 231 since it was all tricked out with a Currie SYE (not the best) 4 to 1 and 2 lo. But I added up the cost to do the D20. It came to about 1K for all the D20 stuff I wanted/needed. So I sold my 231 for 1K.
I have a good friend that has the 231 behind a Klune. He has run it for about 2.5 years. He has not had any problems with the 231. He did switch it to 23 spline. He had the motor moved 6 inches.
So I think you would be in good shape either way. I wish for a bit deeper gears in the D20. The 2.46 is not really good for anything by itself. Well maybe for fire road type stuff. It is mostly used to double the Klune. But the twin sticks are fun. I get lots of questions about it. I did not have the interlocks removed from the front. So I can't do front digs. In the D20 you can Hi/Lo the case so I did not want the risk of trashing the case. I have lots of friends with D300 and Atlas II every now and again the do front digs but mostly showing off. I have not wished to have it yet. The 2low is awesome. I use it all the time. ( Detroits F&R)

[FourbangerYJ]

Here's your pics Scott

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ratherbejeeping/album?.dir=8a2c&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos

Thanks! Got any of the Klune/D20??

Glad you could use the above shots to give you some ideas on your twin sticks.