In the future I will be up grading and going to at least the later "wide track" axels to gain the stability and track width. I plan on running tires probably no bigger than 33's. I know they make the one piece axels for the amc 20 but does anybody have any suggestions on a different unit with approx the same width that's stronger? I don't think I really need 3/4 or one ton axels.
Rear diff suggestions for my CJ5
- Thread starter flatie46
- Start date
steady.foot
New member
A buddy of mine put a dana 44 from an 86 cj7 in his but he's having trouble finding aftermarket axles because they only made it one year.
Tell your buddy to call dutchman axles, they sell chromo's for this axle. I think superior does at well.
If your only gonna run 33-35" tires, If I were you I would find a set of non-offset D44 rear from a CJ and a later D30 or earily waggy 44 for the front. Personally I like the narrow trac axles. I see absolutley no huge gain in the wide to narrow tracs that a set of rims can't make up for. plus people want to get rid of them for the wider axles and they are easier and cheaper to find.
Also a 9" axle from a pass. car will be the same wideth as your CJ, just run some F100 shafts cut down and re-splined to get teh 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern.
I plan on moving up to 33's in the future and would like to add a locker of some kind. From what I've heard a locker puts a bit more strain on the diff. I didn't know if i put a wide track amc 20 under it with one piece axels if it'd hold up. So, they put 44's under cj's in 86? That'd be me there.
I thought if I run wide track with 10" rims it'd help in the respect that it'd be harder to roll having a wider base.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Also look to the mid '90s Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport for a rear d44, paired with a '70s model Grand Wagoneer for a front d44. You'll gain 4whl disc brakes and a matching 6-lug wheel pattern at all 4 corners. The 6-lug is a very common wheel pattern.
This is a great option to gain a d44 front axle, giving you larger brakes, larger bearings, and more high-steer options.
This is a great option to gain a d44 front axle, giving you larger brakes, larger bearings, and more high-steer options.
model 20 with a non-chromo 1 piece shaft is marginally weaker than a D44 in stock trim.
I wheel with plenty of people with 36-37" tires on a M20 with 1 piece chromo's in the rear, one of which has a pretty healthy 304 and T18 trans. I have only seen him break his rear once and he was hammering up some rocks and got bouncey, shock loaded the shaft and sheared the flange completely off, mind you this was an axle that was installed at least 6 years ago and he is not known to take it easy.
pics for proof
this was earlier in the day
which probably contributed to this.
I wheel with plenty of people with 36-37" tires on a M20 with 1 piece chromo's in the rear, one of which has a pretty healthy 304 and T18 trans. I have only seen him break his rear once and he was hammering up some rocks and got bouncey, shock loaded the shaft and sheared the flange completely off, mind you this was an axle that was installed at least 6 years ago and he is not known to take it easy.
pics for proof
this was earlier in the day
which probably contributed to this.
I know the Trooper was a pretty good offroad machine but I'd never have thought they'd have a d44. Passport really blows me away! Thanks for the info, I'll be looking and weighing my options.
Yea, by looking at the two pics he don't seem to be the kind that'd worry 'bout scratchin' it up. I'm guessing if I were to buy one piece shafts for a model 20, chromoly would be worth the extra money?model 20 with a non-chromo 1 piece shaft is marginally weaker than a D44 in stock trim.
I wheel with plenty of people with 36-37" tires on a M20 with 1 piece chromo's in the rear, one of which has a pretty healthy 304 and T18 trans. I have only seen him break his rear once and he was hammering up some rocks and got bouncey, shock loaded the shaft and sheared the flange completely off, mind you this was an axle that was installed at least 6 years ago and he is not known to take it easy.
pics for proof
this was earlier in the day
which probably contributed to this.
Talked to a friend that has an 80's model ford 3/4 ton truck that he may haul to the crusher. He said he thinks it has a dana 60 under it. I could get it cheap (maybe free). I don't know the width of it, I'm sure it's wider than the wide track axels. Could have it narrowed I guess. It has the 8 lug pattern, he was telling me you could have the pattern welded up and re-drilled to what I need. I know this one would be stout and my 304 probably wouldn't hurt it. Anybody know any down sides to this swap?
It's just the rear and it's in a 2wheel drive. Will the housing be hanging too low if I run 33's. The truck it's in is an 85 I think, this weekend I'll go check it out. Wikapeidia says ford used 'em in the rear from 55-85.
no, they used them in 2wd trucks. ya with 33's it will hang pretty low. you can "shave the diff" I am becoming less and less of a fan of this; I've seen 1 ton axles shaved and then litterally snap down the middle. due to the shaving.
if you only want to run 33's, keep what you got. like mentioned, the M20 with some good shafts and a replacement carrier (factory carrier is not the strongest, full case replacement like arb or detroit) and easily run a 36-37" tire.
if you only want to run 33's, keep what you got. like mentioned, the M20 with some good shafts and a replacement carrier (factory carrier is not the strongest, full case replacement like arb or detroit) and easily run a 36-37" tire.
I don't know, still kickin' it all around. Thanks to all of ya for the input.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
I wouldn't bother putting in a 1ton axle for 33" tires, or 35" tires for that matter. Stick with the d44 or AMC20.
I got behind a military humvee from our local National Guard unit yesterday. I have no idea what kind of diff set up they have but they've got lot's of clearance. Looked like I could crawl under it from the grill to the tail lights without much effort. Doubt I'll run across one at pull -a -part though.
JohnnyO
New member
H1 Humvees have planetary hubs, in other words a geared drop-down hub from the axle. The hub centerline is below the axle centerline. It's an independent setup and probably not adaptable to a Jeep. Mercedes Unimogs have used a similar setup for decades with (I think) solid axles but they are rare in this country and probably hella expensive when you find them.
