BW Overdrives for dana 20?

Re: Over drives for dana 18

Not to highjack this thread, but could the B/W OD be adapted to a Dana 20 in something like a Jeepster? Or is there another OD that can be used with the Dana 20 in a LWB vehicle? I realize the Saturn, & Warn units are only for the Dana 18s, but what is available for a center output like a Dana 20 or 300? Gear Vendors OD units only work in 2WD, but it has a lockout so it can not be put into 4WD when the OD is engaged.

 

There isn't one available for the 20. A few were made mostly as prototypes many years ago but that's it. You might be able to adapt a BW o/d to a 20 but would require a custom output shaft and housing/adapter. Parts for the old BW o/d units are getting harder to come by also. You'd be money ahead to put in a good overdrive transmission or an overdrive/underdrive unit between the transmission and bellhousing. Nickmil

 

I know a guy who has or at least had one. It was on a 71 with an auto tranny. He didn't know if it till worked or not because the jeepster wasn't running when he got it.

 

There was a BW OD for the 20's. I have the one Dennis is talking about above. Lee and I were going to run through it and try it out but if someone wants to buy it I'm certain that Lee would part with it and the T-case it is attached to. I will attach a pic if you like. BW OD attached to a D20 behind a T14/225 V6 in what is left of a 71 Hurst.

 

Way cool! I've seen a bunch for the 18 but never for the 20. Thanks for the pics! Nickmil

 

My pleasure. Maybe I should take additional pictures, drive shaft measurements, list the cab components, etc for future reference.

 

The main downfall to these is that they only work in 2 high. Not a problem unless you forget and try to engage the front axle. BTW, this style OD was common on older three speed automobile tranny's and came in both electric and cable operated versions.

 

Interesting. Surprisingly short driveshaft, considering it's a C101.

 

is there a brand name stamped into that adpater ?
I see the patent number for it
just curious

 

I had a '63 Galaxie with on when I was in college. It was cable operated, and there was a knob under the dash that said "overdrive". You pushed it in to engage it, took your foot off the gas, and *poof* you were in OD. You could either floor it and kick it into third to disengage it, or put the clutch in. One of my friends also had a '59 Rambler Super with the same thing it. Both cars were 3 on the tree. I kinda miss that setup.