transfer case 18 vs 20

[401cj]

found an article from a few years back on this, was wondering anyone's take. I'm picking up a 71 cj-5 for parts on my 78 and looking to get rid of 1 transfer case or the other. the article was about the 1841-71 cj's. it already has a dual stick parts are cheaper and they said almost as strong as a 205. any ideas/comments

[Andrew]

First off, the 18 does not have a centered rear output.
The Dana 20 has a centered rear output.

Personally, I'd keep the Dana 20. There isn't a notable strength difference between the two and the 20 is a more refined tcase.

Truthfully, there aren't going to be many useful parts from the 71 for your 78.

[Fonger]

First of all I can personally guarantee you that the Spicer 18 transfer case is nowhere near as strong as the 205. They only ever came behind 4-cylinders and a few 6-cylinders. They have an offset rear output like andrew said and they have a drum style e-brake. These things are less than ideal.

I'd stick with the Dana 20, still not the best, but the better of the two. I've heard of people running the Spicer 18 gears in the Dana 20 case to get a better low range, but have never done it myself. As far as the twin stick goes I'm pretty certain that it's not like the twin-stick of today. If I remember correctly one shifter runs 2-4WD and the other runs hi-low range.

Also, if your screen name says anything about your rig then there is no doubt in my mind that the Spicer 18 will fail. The Dana 20 will hold up but only for a while. Maybe start looking for a Dana 300 or something of that nature.

Good luck...

[BadnewsCJ]

you can run an overdrive off a spicer 18 which i always thought was pretty cool

but ill have to agree that if your sn hints at your build then neither case would be ideal

[nwcj7]

Dana 300 all the way especially if you like the throttle

[Andrew]

The 300 is the better transfer case, but I am not sure about the assertion that it is stronger than the D20. If you're breaking stock D20s, you'll probably be breaking stock D300s as well.