Axles

[Brian Morgan]

Can somone please help me on axle selection. I am building a cj-7 and want a dana 44 in the rear for sure-I am uncertain on the front either a dana 44 or a 35. I am just going to use it for a daily driver. I am using a Dana 300 trans case. Question is what axles will work best for me? I dont want to have to cut them down due to the fact that nobody around this area does it. Where do I need the Diffs? and what widths will work? Any info is appreciated! you can also e-mail me.

Brian

 

[Spork]

I would probably go with a late 70s wagoneer for the axles if you want 44s. They are wider than CJ axles but not too wide and are passenger drop. FYI CJ axles are 50" or 54" wagoneer axles are about 60". You will need to outboard your springs if you go this route.
Other options are to stick one piece axles in the AMC 20, find a '86 CJ axle with a D44, find an old CJ D44 and move the perches. You could also use Scout II axles but it is similar to a wagoneer to swap them. (caster angle is different)

Just wondering why do you want to swap the axles? I know guys that are still running the original axles without any problems. I replaced mine when I spun the 2 piece hub on the AMC20 in mine. (of course I waited until it broke before I fixed it... )

 

[Brian Morgan]

I guess I wouldn't have to switch them out, I sold all the stuff I had with my first CJ and I wanted to build another. Only with a different driveline. I had an AMC 20 and a D35-they were ok. I was told to go with a widetrack D44 and use a D35 for the front-would that work?

Brian

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by Brian Morgan
I guess I wouldn't have to switch them out, I sold all the stuff I had with my first CJ and I wanted to build another. Only with a different driveline. I had an AMC 20 and a D35-they were ok. I was told to go with a widetrack D44 and use a D35 for the front-would that work?

Brian

well you have been mis-informed...the 35 is a rear axle and you want to stay far away from it...a D30 is the front axle and you have it stock...IF you can find a wide track D44 then I would get that and keep the front as long as you are already wide track...if not then find a D30 wide track and swap it in your front...this is the easiest route to got cause it all should be bolt-in...with a little work the late 70s waggys are a great axle for a CJ...you can get them for about $200 for both front and rear and then you would have D44 front and rear...they are wider but I thought a wide track CJ was about 58" and the waggys are about 60" so not a big difference...you asked where you need the diffs, the front needs to be a passenger side drop and the rear needs to be centered in order to use the D300 in stock form...

 

[RockMonkey]

A dana 35 would be a difficult swap for the front. At least, if you want to turn...

What do you want out of this rig? What tires are you gonna run? What terrain do you want to drive? How much horsepower are you making? What kind of gearing/lockers do you want? Why do you want a 44 in the back? Can't really effectively answer your question without knowing what you are building the rig for, y'know? Oh, BTW, the Dana 35 is a rear axle only, it does not turn. You probably have a dana 30 front now, and that would be sufficient for up to 35" tires or so, with some simple upgrades.

 

[Brian Morgan]

2" lift 33 or 35 inch tires-about 300 horses. All I want is a Rebuilt street rig. Sory it has been a few years since I was in the jeep thing-got my axles confused. I found some 57" D44's will they work? Pumpkins are right.

 

[RockMonkey]

Sure, those'll work, but for how you want to use it I'd put your money somewhere else, your existing axles are fine.

 

[Brian Morgan]

You mean I should try and buy back the axles I sold with my rig? So far the D44's are only 250 on ebay for the pair. Check them out and let me know what ya think.2431491431 ans2431490628

Brian

 

[RockMonkey]

Okay, back the truck up... You said you are building a CJ7. Now you say you sold the axles/with the rig? So, what exactly do you have left to build from? My impression after reading all the posts is that you HAD a CJ, and sold it, and that now you either have another CJ7, or you are looking to get one. If you buy a CJ7 surely it will come with axles, and those should be sufficient for what you want to do. If you now have a CJ, with no axles under it, than no, I don't think the axles on Ebay would be a good way to go. You will likely double your costs with shipping. I would get a pair of 44s from a wagoneer locally. They shouldn't cost very much.

 

[grinch]

Pick and pull has Waggoneers all the time..... youll either get a 44 or a one pice 20 for the rear ( I have been running my one pice 20 for about 5 years now and have only broken it once and i am as abusive as you can be on these things) and a 44 front. I actually have broken my 44 front about 6 times and the 20 rear once in 5 years..... I abuse these axles and find them to be exelent for rigs with up to 35 inch tires and alot of throttle pedel..

 

[bobdog]

You live in Illinois. I am not sure but, I don't think people in Utah are going to be able to tell you where the best places to find axles are. If you are anly going to drive the jeep on the street stock CJ axles are going to work fine. They are a dime a dozen in most places and even with shipping you should be able to find a pair for very cheep.