79 Cherokee-Quadratrac to Dana 20 with Novak

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  • tbrasse
    230 Tornado
    • Jan 08, 2018
    • 18

    79 Cherokee-Quadratrac to Dana 20 with Novak

    If I decide to do the swap, I am sure there is a thread I am missing here. Send a link if you have it handy. I'd like to read it. I am most worried about the driveshaft angle to the passenger-offset Dana 44 in the back (do I have to change the rear axle? vibrations? driveshaft cut and weld?), the transmission support member that exists now (will it work?), whether the linkage I'd buy from Novak will interfere with the underdash A/c or anything else inside and all the little "stuff" that will annoy me until I make it look and function like it came that way from the factory. My QT will need a full overhaulin and chain, diaphragm for the shifter, etc, and I am going to rebuild the turbo 400 so if I am ever going to change, this is the time. Twin stick Dana 20 would be pretty awesome and I love the surety of shifting the transfer case as opposed to the twist and pray operation of the QT. I do have the hubs already as I have the part time kit in the 1339 QT installed.

    Finally, from those who have this setup, any regrets?

    Thanks in advance.
    1979 Cherokee Chief (rebuild project) in Morocco Tan
    360, Turbo400
    3 inch spring lift, dealer installed brush guard and rear spare carrier/Jerry can holder thingy

    1979 Golden Eagle Cherokee parts truck.
  • TPICherokee
    Administrator
    • Jul 02, 2001
    • 3361

    #2
    If the rig in your signature is the rig you are doing this to, the driveshaft angle would be the same as stock.

    On the widetrack Cherokee, Jeep used the same rear axle for the Dana 20 and the Quadratrac.
    www.bjsoffroad.com - BJ's Off-Road - Your Full-Size Jeeps Parts Specialist

    1987 Grand Wagoneer - 5.3 Vortec, 4L60E, NP242
    1979 Cherokee Chief - 6-inch BJ's Off-Road Lift Kit, TPI Chev 350, 700R4 with NP208 and 4.56 gears, 35x12.50R17, Rhino Front End, J-Truck Rear Axle, GoMango Orange.
    1979 Cherokee Chief​ - 5.3 Vortec, 4L60E, Quadratrac, Alpaca Brown Paint, new stock interior
    1976 J10 Longbox - 258, T18, Dana 20 - Sniper Fuel Injection
    1967 M715 - 454 Chevy, TH400, 1100R16 Michelin XZL Tires, Stock otherwise (sold)

    Comment

    • tbrasse
      230 Tornado
      • Jan 08, 2018
      • 18

      #3
      Originally posted by TPICherokee
      If the rig in your signature is the rig you are doing this to, the driveshaft angle would be the same as stock.

      On the widetrack Cherokee, Jeep used the same rear axle for the Dana 20 and the Quadratrac.
      My rig has a passenger side offset rear axle and the Dana 20 looks like it has a centered rear output, meaning the driveshaft would be down and to side a little with a Dana 20, right? Maybe I am wrong here, as I am fairly new to the FSJ community and learning.
      1979 Cherokee Chief (rebuild project) in Morocco Tan
      360, Turbo400
      3 inch spring lift, dealer installed brush guard and rear spare carrier/Jerry can holder thingy

      1979 Golden Eagle Cherokee parts truck.

      Comment

      • rang-a-stang
        Administrator
        • Oct 31, 2016
        • 5456

        #4
        I have been doing lots of research here lately looking at Xfer case options because I am planning out a 4 speed swap. There are quite a few threads on here of people that have changed cases from QT to center outputs and staying with PS offset rear axle with no ill effect. I have read posts from people that have 1000's of miles on their rig and they say no vibes, no unusual wearing of U-joints. That angle is not much different from the angles your U-joints would see if you had a 6" lift.

        I say swap and don't think another thing of it!
        Chuck McTruck 71 J4000
        (Chuck McTruck Build Thread)
        79 Cherokee Chief (SOLD, goodbye old buddy)
        (Cherokee Build Thread)
        11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
        09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
        00 Baby Cherokee

        Comment

        • joe
          • Apr 28, 2000
          • 22392

          #5
          Originally posted by TPICherokee
          If the rig in your signature is the rig you are doing this to, the driveshaft angle would be the same as stock.

          On the widetrack Cherokee, Jeep used the same rear axle for the Dana 20 and the Quadratrac.
          x2
          Same axle, same diff offset.
          joe
          "Don't mind me. I'm just here for the alibi"

          Comment

          • J20 project
            304 AMC
            • Dec 27, 2000
            • 2487

            #6
            Quit worrying about the rear axle..it will work.
            BP Drivetrain...........

            Driveshafts for all Jeeps, Constant velocity rebuilds, Replacement, Repair
            775-537-7918

            https://www.facebook.com/BPShafts/

            Putting this back up. "Someone is gonna have to crawl under the rig"

            Comment

            • TPICherokee
              Administrator
              • Jul 02, 2001
              • 3361

              #7
              Originally posted by tbrasse
              My rig has a passenger side offset rear axle and the Dana 20 looks like it has a centered rear output, meaning the driveshaft would be down and to side a little with a Dana 20, right? Maybe I am wrong here, as I am fairly new to the FSJ community and learning.
              Learning is good, this is a very common misconception.

              The ONLY vehicle to receive a different rear axle with a Dana 20 as opposed to a QT was a narrow track FSJ (Wagoneer or narrow track Cherokee).

              The widetrack Cherokee used the same axle with a QT and with a Dana 20

              The JTruck used the same rear axle with a QT and with a Dana 20

              Hope this helps
              www.bjsoffroad.com - BJ's Off-Road - Your Full-Size Jeeps Parts Specialist

              1987 Grand Wagoneer - 5.3 Vortec, 4L60E, NP242
              1979 Cherokee Chief - 6-inch BJ's Off-Road Lift Kit, TPI Chev 350, 700R4 with NP208 and 4.56 gears, 35x12.50R17, Rhino Front End, J-Truck Rear Axle, GoMango Orange.
              1979 Cherokee Chief​ - 5.3 Vortec, 4L60E, Quadratrac, Alpaca Brown Paint, new stock interior
              1976 J10 Longbox - 258, T18, Dana 20 - Sniper Fuel Injection
              1967 M715 - 454 Chevy, TH400, 1100R16 Michelin XZL Tires, Stock otherwise (sold)

              Comment

              • Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
                Cherokee Outlaw
                • Jan 10, 2006
                • 7292

                #8
                No issues with drive line angle here. Figuring out a cross member mount is fun, though. As no FSJ after '74 came with a TH400 and Dana 20, none of the existing holes line up so, you need to get a bit creative.

                Any regrets? Yea, I wish I would have just stayed with the QT.
                -Jonny B.
                1979 Cherokee Golden Eagle - UNDER CONSTRUCTION
                7" Alcan springs, BJ's HD shackles - 35x12.5x15 BFG Mud Terrains
                AMC 401 - Pro-Flo 4 EFI
                NV4500/NWF BB/NP205 - Triple Stick'd
                F D44 - 4.10, Eaton E-Locker
                R M23 - 4.10, Detroit Locker

                1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
                1979 Cherokee Chief - Parts
                1979 Wagoneer - Sold
                1981 Cherokee Chief - Cubed

                Comment

                • tbrasse
                  230 Tornado
                  • Jan 08, 2018
                  • 18

                  #9
                  Originally posted by Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
                  No issues with drive line angle here. Figuring out a cross member mount is fun, though. As no FSJ after '74 came with a TH400 and Dana 20, none of the existing holes line up so, you need to get a bit creative.

                  Any regrets? Yea, I wish I would have just stayed with the QT.
                  OK after much debate, tons of searching on forums for previous attempts and a cost study, I am staying QT. I have enough parts to keep it going without anything other than a gasket set and a chain (which I can get USA made).
                  So, staying QT. Now, should I get the overdrive chain for the 16%?!?
                  1979 Cherokee Chief (rebuild project) in Morocco Tan
                  360, Turbo400
                  3 inch spring lift, dealer installed brush guard and rear spare carrier/Jerry can holder thingy

                  1979 Golden Eagle Cherokee parts truck.

                  Comment

                  • joe
                    • Apr 28, 2000
                    • 22392

                    #10
                    Originally posted by tbrasse
                    So, staying QT. Now, should I get the overdrive chain for the 16%?!?
                    I'm only on my 2nd cup of coffee so sorry I don't get the question. Which MM part-time conversion kit do you have?
                    joe
                    "Don't mind me. I'm just here for the alibi"

                    Comment

                    • tgreese
                      • May 29, 2003
                      • 11682

                      #11
                      Yes - you need more than the chain to go overdrive, sp. different diameter sprockets. Do you have the Mile Marker kit?
                      Tim Reese
                      Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS, hubcaps.
                      Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination ATs, 7600 GVWR
                      Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
                      GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
                      ECO Green: '15 FCA Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk

                      Comment

                      • rang-a-stang
                        Administrator
                        • Oct 31, 2016
                        • 5456

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81
                        ...I wish I would have just stayed with the QT.
                        WOW! I have never seen those words assembled into a sentence! I don't have an opinion one way or the other, but so many people have bad mouthed the QT over the time I have been here, I thought I was the only one planning to stay MM QT for the long haul. Hm.


                        tbrasse, Keep in mind the chain for the OD kit and the standard chain are different. You said you have access to a USA made chain, make sure your kit matches the chain. It would suck if you bought an overdrive MM kit and had a standard chain...
                        Chuck McTruck 71 J4000
                        (Chuck McTruck Build Thread)
                        79 Cherokee Chief (SOLD, goodbye old buddy)
                        (Cherokee Build Thread)
                        11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
                        09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
                        00 Baby Cherokee

                        Comment

                        • tbrasse
                          230 Tornado
                          • Jan 08, 2018
                          • 18

                          #13
                          Originally posted by rang-a-stang
                          WOW! I have never seen those words assembled into a sentence! I don't have an opinion one way or the other, but so many people have bad mouthed the QT over the time I have been here, I thought I was the only one planning to stay MM QT for the long haul. Hm.


                          tbrasse, Keep in mind the chain for the OD kit and the standard chain are different. You said you have access to a USA made chain, make sure your kit matches the chain. It would suck if you bought an overdrive MM kit and had a standard chain...
                          I do have the MM Kit. I'll have to count the links I guess as I have NO idea what kit it is. I assume if it is not the overdrive kit I could order a new sprocket and appropriate chain and rock on.
                          1979 Cherokee Chief (rebuild project) in Morocco Tan
                          360, Turbo400
                          3 inch spring lift, dealer installed brush guard and rear spare carrier/Jerry can holder thingy

                          1979 Golden Eagle Cherokee parts truck.

                          Comment

                          • rang-a-stang
                            Administrator
                            • Oct 31, 2016
                            • 5456

                            #14
                            The MM instructions say the OD sprocket has 41 teeth and the Non-OD sprocket at 49. I would count sprocket teeth AND links. One case I bought had gnarly slop in the chain because it was an OD sprocket with a standard chain.

                            If it turns out you need to buy a chain, might be easier and cheaper to buy this, instead.


                            That's kind of what I did: I bought an entire case with a good chain in it. That way I was able to tinker on it, get it tweaked the way I wanted it, then just swapped cases. Then I put my old case on Craigslist (and the forums here) and sold it. I say "sold" because there is a guy that said he is going to pick it up, but he hasn't yet.
                            Chuck McTruck 71 J4000
                            (Chuck McTruck Build Thread)
                            79 Cherokee Chief (SOLD, goodbye old buddy)
                            (Cherokee Build Thread)
                            11 Nissan Pathfinder Silver Edition 4x4
                            09 Mazdaspeed3 Grand Touring
                            00 Baby Cherokee

                            Comment

                            • J20 project
                              304 AMC
                              • Dec 27, 2000
                              • 2487

                              #15
                              How long before you go up in time size?
                              BP Drivetrain...........

                              Driveshafts for all Jeeps, Constant velocity rebuilds, Replacement, Repair
                              775-537-7918

                              https://www.facebook.com/BPShafts/

                              Putting this back up. "Someone is gonna have to crawl under the rig"

                              Comment

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