Dana 20 2-wheel Low?

I just pulled the transmission and t-case out of the ‘74 parts Jeep that I bought last month. This is the one with a PTO and Ramsey winch.

Messing around with the transfer case shifter, it appears that it has a rear-wheel-only low range. Is this likely? The front drive yoke turns freely while the rear is locked to the transmission in both high and low ranges. The shifter has five positions.

And, yes, high and low 4WD are present.

Yes, the case has D20 markings: C18-15-24-6. The -6 is unknown to me.

What weird frankenjeep did I find??

Jon B.

 

Hmmm… The plot thickens, maybe.

Do these plastic plugs signify some tampering with the shift rails?


Jon B.

 

Plastic plugs are factory. I have seen those on a bunch of transfer cases. I suspect there is something going on inside.

 

There’s also this tag on the rear:

Jon B.

 

the 20 in my five has 2 low . it was that way when i got it ...I think its just wear in the shifter or rail.

 

The shifter, though, feels as though there’s a detent where the case is in 2 low. I’m confused… (SOP for me…)

Jon B.

 

The way a 20 works, the left shift rail controls the rear drive, and the right shift rail controls the front. If there’s enough play in the works, I could see where the rear shifter is in low range while the front is still in neutral.

 

As stated above, 2 low was never a factory option. Pulling the pill, or lots of wear in the shifter linkage will gain 2 low. This is a very common conversion when going with a twin-stick. More than likely, you have a rail between detents.
-Donny

 

I just rebuilt my Dana 20. Even with working pills the rails will allow 2 Low. It is the shifter mechanism that prevents two low. The sloppy poorly designed shifter can in some cases engage two wheel low. Even though no detents exist.

my advice, Chuck the poor single stick shifter and get a proper twin stick setup.

 

A modified case and twin shifter setup are on the list of build items for the project Jeep.

This case may get sold - with PTO and winch.

Thanks for your replies.

Jon B.

 

This is he PTO that take the place of the tin pan?
-Donny

 

My 74 has this provision, it was this way when brand new. Just as you pass neutral going toward the rear it goes into 2-lo, then a little farther on back is 4-lo. I have used the 2-lo many times without any problems. I am not sure there is a detent for this position but it will stay there until you shift it on rearward to 4-lo. Also never had any problem with it jumping out of gear. I also owned a 73 with the same provision.

 

Yes, it would appear so. See the photo below; the PTO is a Ramsey STC-5W, according to the tag riveted to it.



Jon B.

 

Never noticed that happening in my '75, but I wasn't trying to. Did you do it by accident?

 

That would look good behind a sm465 and my 4.3
Does that PTO engage the spur gears or the helical gears?

 

I’ll have an SM465 behind a 5.3. Both are in the shop, awaiting assembly and joining.

I’ve no idea regarding the internals of the PTO; what’s in the photo is what I know. Others here can likely answer that question. I have two D20 transfer cases but know little to nothing about their condition. One will go in the project Jeep.

Jon B.

 

I have one of those, looks just like yours except the one I have is a
Ramsey STC-3. Just a little longer over to the out-put shaft, I think it is for a jeep truck or some model that is a little wider between the frame rails.
Would you be interested in a trade for the one you have?

 

Not sure how come I noticed it, just always used it in my jeep for the last 40 years. I do know that it is not on the shift pattern on the transfer case shift knob.