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Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 4:16 pm
by CurrenceSpeed
I have a 79 Cherokee with the Quadra Trac in it, and through a guy at work I’ve been given a Dana 20 case. Has anyone done the swap and if so how did it work with the offset rear axle?
Thanks in advance!

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 6:59 pm
by Cecil14
You're going to need an expensive adapter and a complete rebuild of your trans to put a D20 in place of a QT. The adapters are different for each case, as is the tailshaft in the trans. Unfortunately, the tailshaft is the last piece to come out of the trans during disassembly.

Honestly, if you're going to go to the trouble and expense of swapping, there are way better options. What is your long term goal? Reliability? Fuel economy (go ahead and laugh)? Offroad capability?

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:23 pm
by Stuka
Also, what did the D20 come out of? There are a few variations of it, including driver and passenger side drop.

But I agree with Cecil, there are better options. Although most of them require swapping the tail shaft.

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 6:05 am
by rocklaurence
You'd be better off switching over to the TF727/AW4 and one of the newer cases. Also, centered rear axle and Driver drop front axle. You could buy a donor vehicle for less than $1000

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 8:16 pm
by CurrenceSpeed
I appreciate all of your input and I believe the case came from a CJ5. And as for goals I’d like it to be more capeable off road as well with some street manners. After reading this and other research I think it’s a better idea to install the part time kit in the QuadraTrac case, given the fact it’s significantly cheaper and less work. Within the next few months I should have enough parts gathered to get the Jeep more trail ready. And again thanks for the input!

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:49 pm
by Stuka
If all you are wanting is the ability to use 2wd, than yeah. The part time kit is the way to go. But I would advise against getting the over-drive version.

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 4:45 am
by fulsizjeep
Is there something wrong with your QuadraTrac?

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Sat Oct 12, 2019 8:51 am
by CurrenceSpeed
fulsizjeep wrote: Sat Oct 12, 2019 4:45 am Is there something wrong with your QuadraTrac?
Nothing is wrong with the case and it’s operation. I just want to eliminate the weak points that I know of. In my opinion the clutches in the case.

Re: Dana 20 Swap Questions

Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2019 11:28 am
by 4bz
I did the quadratrac to d20 swap. I also found a d20 donor vehicle sitting in a pasture to transfer parts from. The angle of the driveshaft is not a problem; what would be a problem is installing a d20 with a centered rear axle. The driveshaft barely clears the fuel tank with the d20 and offset rear axle, and the driveshaft location would require a custom fuel tank if a d20 is installed together with a centered rear axle. Depending on what parts are used, you might also need a custom length driveshaft.