Off Roading Anyone switch in a Dana 20 transfer case to their CTD?

[Coalsmoke]

I'm contemplating switching my worn out np241ld for a Dana 20. For those that aren't familiar with the 20, it came on many older broncos and some jeeps (I think) and is a gear-to-gear transfer case, with an iron body. I've heard that these Dana 20s are really tough, but has anyone tried to put one into a Dodge Ram?

 

[GO 4LO]

I don't think a Dana 20 would last long at all behind a CTD. If you want an iron gear-drive tcase, check out an NP205 - much stronger than a Dana 20. I would bet the 241 is at least equal to the 205 in terms of strength, though... .

Chris

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure how much power the dana 20 would be able to handle.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Thanks for the info, I wasn't sure how much power the dana 20 would be able to handle.

I've broken them with a 383 stroker GM small block in my last jeep. I had 37's in the jeep and 3. 73 gears, dana 60 axles. I went to a 205 and didn't touch it again in 3 years, then I sold it. What a mistake, I miss it. 6 MPG, hmm, maybe not, but it was fun to drive offroad and to cruise the boulevard on weekends.

 

[BigBadDodge]

I swapped my 241LD out with a NV271



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BBD

 

[Coalsmoke]

wow, that 271 looks stout. After hearing about the jeep breaking the dana 20, I think it is definitely out for the CTD. Other than changing driveshaft lengths, what other nasty surprises were there to put in the 271? What about the mating to the transmission?

 

[Mtngoat]

Concur!! The 20 won't last behind the CTD. . Robin

 

[DKarvwnaris]

wow, that 271 looks stout. After hearing about the jeep breaking the dana 20, I think it is definitely out for the CTD. Other than changing driveshaft lengths, what other nasty surprises were there to put in the 271? What about the mating to the transmission?

I should mention the transfer cse survived three GM 465 4 speeds before it cracked in half.

I still would not consider it an option behind a diesel engine of any sorts, the torque is too much for them, HP didn't kill mine, torque did. It was all new parts in it when it first went in, so don't try to excuse it on a half dead life transfer case in the first place.

 

[av8r]

I swapped my 241LD out with a NV271



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BBD

What did you source the 271 from? Are they readily available??

 

[DKarvwnaris]

What did you source the 271 from? Are they readily available??

Check super duty ford's in your local wrecking yard. I've picked up a few out of them.

They are rather heavy, even for aluminum casings, pack a lunch or else have the guy with one tooth in the back room drag it to the gate for you.

 

[BigBadDodge]

The newer late model dodges have the NP271's



I got mine from HERE and it was sinch to install bolts right up. The issues I had were no more speedo gera so the spedometer doesn't work this can be fixed for a small amount by using some sort of sensor off the rear diff I am told, I haven't done it yet and might not as its going to just be a sled puller. the second issue was that it its about 1/4" from hitting the frame i fixed this buy exstending the opening in the frame about 1" and welded a piece of 1/4" flat stock to stiffen it back up. I would think the drive shafts my be alright with the slip yoke I chose to have them build it with the flange for easy removal with out loosing any fluid if I break the rear just four bolts and I am back on the trailer in front wheel drive I removed all the vacuum as well because I have the Posi Lock.



BBD

 

[Jff24Gordn]

The 241 is stronger than a 205, 208, 203, 200, 231, and more or less all of the old transfer cases.

 

[av8r]

241, Really??

The 241 is stronger than a 205, 208, 203, 200, 231, and more or less all of the old transfer cases.

I would like to see data on, or where you heard how a 241 is stronger than a 205. The 241 I thought was just a different cased version of a 208.



Not that I doubt you, but, I was always under the impression that the 205 was the holy grail of x-cases.

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I would like to see data on, or where you heard how a 241 is stronger than a 205. The 241 I thought was just a different cased version of a 208.



Not that I doubt you, but, I was always under the impression that the 205 was the holy grail of x-cases.

when engaged in 4wd, it is the strongest version available until you step up to a MDT transfer case like those used in the international 4wd trucks or F-650 superduty's.

When you are in 2wd pulling a load, the bearings are smaller, as well as the output shaft etc. This is the where the 241 gets its reputation of being heavier from.

The chains will still stretch if you torque on them all the time in 4wd. It can be upgraded to heavier limits, but then too, so can the 205 to match it. THe aluminum case can crack, but so can the cast iron weight the 205 is built out of.

Preference and application is the best determining factor for one over the other. I am happy with both the 241DHD in my ram as well as the 205 I had in my older dodge 250, neither has given me any problems in over 200,000 miles of stump pulling abuse with the loads I pull.

The older dodge 250 did suffer a dead rearend, which my 96 has not shown and worse wear, and its turned up WAY PAST my 93 was. Gotta love the Dana rears for that.

 

[Jff24Gordn]

I know some of the pullers switched to a 205 when they started to have trouble with their 241. they quicky switched back.

 

[MarkMiller]

I know this is an old thread but I can't leave it alone. I am new to modding CTD's but have spent the last 14 yrs living and breathing offroad rigs. The 241 is a good case.

I know some of the pullers switched to a 205 when they started to have trouble with their 241. they quicky switched back.

No suprise there. The 241 deals with long term high speed use better. That is how it was designed to be used.



The 205 was designed for intermittent use with occasional shots to high rpms. The oiling system in it is lack luster for 60 mph wheel speed. But to say it can't take the power is incorrect. The gears in it are nearly 2 inches thick! As far as shock loads, the 241 handles them better. Well, handles them differently, the chains stretch and loosen. Thats not my definition of strength.



The output of a 205 was also the heaviest thing available during it's production. And with a few more years of innovation the 32 spline outputS on my 205 are pretty stout. And there was no special kit and new housing to eliminate the SY.



Basically it comes down to use. If you drive high speeds with your case engaged a 241 is better because the oiling. A 205 is better for brute force and heavy use in an offroader. Look through all the years of TTC, there has only been one rig with a 241 (rebodied H1 Raider). Every other rig runs a 205 or an atlas.



But in no way is a 205 weaker than a 241.

 

[jwduke]

205's were what was in the first generation trucks. In fact there were a few (Very few) 2nd generation trucks built with a NVG4500 & a NP205 transfer case.



And from my understanding, a 241 is just that, a updated 208... ... ...

 

[TJSHOTROD]

I put the same case in my truck that BBD has after I broke the output shaft in my 241. The output shaft in the 241 are 1"3/8's and the 271 are 1"7/8's. I also read that the gross vehicle weight for the 241 was 8800 pounds and the 271 is 18000 pounds.



T. J.

 

[biggy238]

So what about speedo Readings?? Let GPS handle it??

 

[DKarvwnaris]

So what about speedo Readings?? Let GPS handle it??

I tried that, but the batteries were killing me to keep it on all the time. :-laf

AS long as there is a point you can install a magnetic pickup on the driveline, you can use a tachometer type speed signal sender. It isn't a perfect setup, but it works if you can build a mount that stays even with the shaft movement. Also need to keep it clear of mud, greasey stuff.



A solution I did for a customer a while back was order a gear vendors overdrive unit. We specifically spec'ed it for a 205 case, with the 241 output for the speedo connector. Worked flawlessly.