SM420 DANA 20 Swap ?'s

Okay before you send me to the write up under the tech, just know I have already read it.

I got My 420 bolted up to my 231 and attatched to it my D20. My questions have to do with:

1. What kind of cross member set up should I use. ( previously had a T90 D18 combo, switched to D20 because of centered rear axle now)

2. My D20 linkage for the shifter is nowhere near fitting. Keeps hitting the tranny. The linkage that I have is the type where the shifter is in a little box, if that makes sense, that sits out in front of the shift rails and attatches to them. Shoudl I be using a different linkage, and if so, does anyone have one?

 

Any ideas anyone? How about pictures of a stock dana 20 mount? So that I can try and fab something

 

Okay. Just a few thoughts.

1. Cross member. I just reused the old one. For some reason I ended up flipping it around so what was the drivers side is now on the passenger side. Works fine. Had to drill new holes on the frame a few inches back from the old ones.
2. It does not make sense that your tcase shift linkage is hitting the trans. I've got the newer style D18 with the single stick and there's plenty of room. I think it's similiar to many of the D20's. The location of the tcase is moved back by the length of the trans to tcase adapter which in my case allowed plenty of room for the tcase shift linkage. I did have to grind off part of the webs on the side of the sm420 to make room for the front output to the front drive shaft.

If you could post a picture we'd all have a better idea of your trouble.

Good Luck

 

The shift linkgae I have for the 20 is from a commando. here is a picture of the shifter. because of the box style it hits the trans.

 

Re the U-shifter, I'd think it either has to fit or you have to replace it. I don't see how you can modify it so you can keep it. The inline shifter from a CJ should work, or fab a twin stick. SOrry, not much help...

 

Now I see what you were saying. I've heard about the J shifter many times but did not know what it looked like. I've also heard that the commando guys have had a lot of trouble with them.
I really don't like the linkage setup on my '70 D18 single stick. So I would recommend going twin stick by: 1. fab 2. call herm 3. take the twin stick front off an old D18 (if this is possible).

 

Or (4.) send Nick Miller a PM and get the kit from him.

 

Thats possible, but you have to swap out the entire casing....

But I am getting some twin sticks from nickmil and am going ot fab up a custom twin stick

 

How much clearance does it lack with the commando shifter? I ask because I have a 420 sitting in the garage and would like to keep the original shifter. I like it. Guess I'm weird