Deciding between the dana 20 vs dana 300 usually depends upon whether you're restoring a vintage classic or even building a devoted rock crawler that needs to crawl over boulders at a snail's pace. Both of these transfer cases are usually absolute legends within the off-road world, mainly because they're constructed like tanks plus made of large cast iron. A person won't find any kind of flimsy aluminum chain-driven stuff here. Yet even though they discuss some DNA, they will are very different monsters when you actually get them under a chassis.
If you've invested any time hanging around old Jeeps, Scouts, or Broncos, you've probably heard individuals arguing about which one is better. The truth is, there isn't a "loser" right here. Both will probably outlast the vehicle they're bolted to. However, the way they mount, their gearing options, and how these people behave around the path might make one particular a much much better fit for the specific project compared to some other.
The Old Guard: Understanding the Dana 20
The Dana 20 was the workhorse of the particular 1960s and 70s. You'll find this in everything from the particular Jeep CJ to the International Look and even the particular early Ford Broncos. It was the successor to the particular Dana 18, and it brought a major improvement to the table: a centered rear output. This particular made driveline sides a lot simpler to manage compared to the offset design associated with the 18.
One of the first things you'll notice about a Dana 20 will be the "Texas" bolt pattern. It's the five-bolt mounting flange that looks vaguely like the condition of Texas. It's a great design, yet it could be a little bit of a headaches if you're attempting to mate this to a contemporary transmission without an expensive adapter.
The biggest gripe many people possess with the Dana 20 is the particular factory low-range gearing. Most versions come with a 2. 03: 1 rate. In plain English, that's not very low. If you're just hitting a few dirt trails or even driving through the muddy field, it's perfectly fine. But if you're trying to technical-crawl up a steep, rocky corner, that 2: 1 ratio can feel a bit fast. You'll find yourself riding the particular clutch or holding on out more compared to you'd like.
The Golden Child: The Dana 300
Then we have the Dana 300, which a lot of Jeep enthusiasts think about the holy grail of factory transfer cases. It only acquired a short manufacturing run, appearing within Jeep CJs from 1980 to 1986. Because it was only around for a few years, it's become a slight sought-after item in scrapyards and on the internet forums.
The particular Dana 300 enhanced on the Dana 20 in nearly every measurable method. For starters, this switched to the circular six-bolt installation pattern. This is usually much more standardized and makes it significantly easier in order to swap onto various transmissions. But the true selling point could be the low range. The Dana 300 comes stock with the 2. 62: one ratio. While that will might not appear like a large leap from the Dana 20's 2. 03: 1, you can definitely experience the difference when you're lugging through the particular rough stuff.
It's also amazingly compact. Despite the fact that it's cast iron plus incredibly strong, it's relatively short, which usually helps with rear driveshaft length in short-wheelbase vehicles such as a CJ-5 or even a custom pushchair.
Gearing and Aftermarket Support
When you look at the dana 20 vs dana 300 with the lens of updates, the Dana 300 wins by a landslide. Because the particular 300 is really popular with the rock-crawling crowd, the aftermarket support is crazy.
If that factory two. 62: 1 reduced range isn't more than enough for you, you can buy 4: 1 gear units that turn your own Jeep into a literal tractor. Generally there are also heavy duty output shafts, clocking rings to rotate the case with regard to better ground clearance, and all types of fancy shifters.
The Dana 20 does have some aftermarket support, but it's even more limited. You may find "TeraLow" kits to bring the ratio down in order to 3. 15: 1, which is a massive improvement, nevertheless these kits may be pricey and sometimes harder to track down than the stuff for your 300. Many people who stay with a Dana 20 do so simply because they want in order to keep their vehicle original or because they don't want to deal with the hassle of fixing the mounting setup plus driveshafts.
The particular Famous Twin-Stick Imod
Something both of these instances have in typical is that they will are gear-driven plus can be "twin-sticked. " If you're not familiar with the word, it means replacing the solitary shift lever with two separate levers—one for the entrance axle and one for that rear.
On the Dana 300, a twin-stick setup is almost a necessary upgrade if you're doing serious wheeling. It enables you to shift the rear straight into neutral while leaving the front in low gear, allowing you do "front digs" to pivot the vehicle about tight corners.
The Dana 20 can furthermore be twin-sticked, nevertheless depending on the specific year and model, it can be a small more complicated in house to get it to work properly with no gears holding. Still, for each cases, having that extra control over your power distribution is a game-changer on the trail.
Strength plus Reliability
Let's talk about durability mainly because that's why all of us use these weighty iron lumps within the first place. Within the battle of dana 20 vs dana 300 , a person really can't go wrong with either in terms of raw strength. Both use thick armor and weapon upgrades rather than a chain to transfer power. Chains extend as time passes and can eventually skip or snap; gears don't.
The Dana 20 is extremely stout. It was used behind V8 engines in full-size vehicles and SUVs, so it can manage some serious torque. The Dana 300 is also very tough, though some people argue the stock output shafts are usually a weak stage if you're jogging 37-inch tires and a high-horsepower motor. Thankfully, when i pointed out, the aftermarket offers fixed that with beefier chromoly shafts.
One minimal thing to watch out for is that these old metal cases love to leak. It's just component of the attraction. If there's simply no oil under this, there's probably no oil in this. But if you maintain them lubricated, these are nearly indestructible.
Which One Ought to You Buy?
So, if you're staring at 2 greasy transfer situations on a garage floor, which a single do you pick?
In case you are doing a dedicated restoration of a 1970s Jeep or Scout, stay with the particular Dana 20. This belongs there, this fits the "Texas" bolt pattern on your transmission, plus it's more than strong enough for 90% of what most people do all-terrain. It's a vintage regarding a reason.
However, if a person are building a rig from scratch, or if you're fed up with your current exchange case and need better crawl ratios, the Dana 300 is the clear choice. The greater stock gearing, the superior mounting pattern, and the endless sea associated with aftermarket parts create it the better platform for a "performance" build.
Really the only downside to the Dana 300 is the price. Because everyone knows they're good, the cost associated with an used 1 has crept up quite a bit over the years. You may often find a Dana 20 to get a hundred bucks (or sometimes for free if a buddy is cleaning out his garage), while a good Dana 300 will generally cost you various hundred more.
Final Thoughts
All in all, comparing the particular dana 20 vs dana 300 is much like comparing the heavy-duty sledgehammer to a slightly more recent, more ergonomic sledgehammer. They both do the same work, and they each get it done with brute force.
The Dana 20 could be the reliable aged soldier that gets the job completed without any bother. The Dana 300 is the processed athlete that's ready for the Olympics. If you would like simplicity and creativity, go with the 20. If you would like the supreme in control plus gear reduction for the rocks, hold away to get a 300. Possibly way, you're obtaining one of the particular best items of driveline engineering to actually come out associated with a north american factory. Simply make sure a person bring a floor jack—those iron cases are heavy.