Best Axle Swaps

[ewander]

Just looking into the future a bit, and am thinking about the possibility of doing an axle swap for either a Wrangler or Cherokee.

What would be the best junk yard/doner axles to swap in, with the minimal about of shortening, etc....with strength being the primary goal?

Thanks,

 

[spencurai]

well the canned response would be dana 60's front and rear. why do it wrong the first time when you can get it right the first time.


what i mean to say is what do you plan on doing with this vehicle....?? some of the best advice i have ever been given is design your vehicle around either a motor or tires. in your case motor is already there so what size tires do you want? if you want to have 31-35" tires and pavement pound, then leave those stockers alone, if you wanna compete then move on up!!

 

[Herzog]

My axles are:

Front - D44 from 1982 wagoneer - 62.5" WMS to WMS, 6 on 5.5 pattern

Rear - D44 from 1974 J-4000, shortened from 66" WMS to WMS on longside to center. Now 63" WMS to WMS. Moser shafts, converted from 5 on 5.5 to 6 on 5.5 pattern

Both geared to 5.13. Rear is welded, front is locked.

I did the shortening myself using a homemade jig. Sent the original shafts to Moser, had them duplicate them with the exception of the long shaft - had them shorten it exactly 3" and had the pattern changed on both. I had my shafts back within 12 days with a total of $400 even (newshafts, bearings, plates, and shipping on both sets)

I then put the bracketry on them and slapped them under my XJ.


Keep an eye out for '80+ waggy, or an Early Bronco. Both are great donors.

Also, ford 8.8 might be a good option for you also.

 

[Herzog]

nevermind, I just saw that you are running an 8.8.

also - I picked up my front end for about $225 at a local yard. The housing was in excellent condition. I got the tie-rod and drag link with it also.

Easiest way is to take a small set of oxy/acet with you and just torch the rusty u-bolts and be done with it.

good luck with the hunt. Probably see you in Moab this weekend, we'll talk some more.

 

[Andy]

If your building a Wrangler, try to find a D60 front out of a 78'-79' Ford F-350, I have heard that it will bolt right in the front of a Wrangler. As for the rear, pull the D60 out of the back of the 78'-79' Ford F-350, and put 14 bolt spindles and hubs on it, and 35 spline axles.But that might be a little expensive, but there's my 2 cents.

 

[Herzog]

Originally posted by Andy
If your building a Wrangler, try to find a D60 front out of a 78'-79' Ford F-350, I have heard that it will bolt right in the front of a Wrangler. As for the rear, pull the D60 out of the back of the 78'-79' Ford F-350, and put 14 bolt spindles and hubs on it, and 35 spline axles.But that might be a little expensive, but there's my 2 cents.

That sounds good too, if you like the full-size axle weight and width. Personally, I'll stay between 62" and 63" wms, but I'm biased.

 

[bobdog]

78-79 F350s have 35 spline Dana 70s

 

[ewander]

I think the 70's ford F350 sounds good to me. I have a doner 85 Grand Wagoneer, with the 44 front, but it is one of the funky years. I was thinking ultimate strength and low gearing. Possilby for a cherokee build up. I am also leaning towards the width of a full size. My wrangler is too narrow and too tall at this point. I need to pull the 1" body lift off. Do you guys know the width of the F30 axles? 65" or so?

Thanks!

 

[bobdog]

The older F350s are few and far between. If you can find one restore it don't part it out. You will have what I think is the second coolest pickup ever.