axle swap options?

[Willysman23]

Hey I was wonderin what would be a good 1/2 ton axle swap into a cj7.I am thinking about a dodge D44 and a ford 8.8 or 9".If I swapped these into it ,what could I do to make it still street legal?I would probably get them from a local junkyard and rebuild them and cut and weld the nessasary brackets.Any advice helpful.This is my first hardcore jeep buildup.

[CRAZY LARRY]

scout and wag axles work petty good.

[Willysman23]

Iwas planning on running 32's or skinny 34's.Would it be better to keep my axles (d30/amc20)and beef them?

[YJ_Aaron]

Do you have any plans to go bigger?  You can build yours up cheaper then swapping and upgrading those as you go.  Downside of a CJ build is you have to outboard front springs to swap almost anything in. 

Waggy pre1980, scout II, chevy or dodge if you want full width are all good options. 

There might be some semi built cj axles floating around you could buy for a decent price also.

[xj42]

I know where there is a pre 1980 Waggy 44.  If you're interested let me know.

[Willysman23]

I might go bigger,but no bigger than 35 or 36.The reason I wanted the Dodge D44 is that they have the bigger knuckle ujoints.What really cheezes me is I just sent FOUR waggy d44s to the scrapyard(I know my dad made me do it).

[YJ_Aaron]

As long as you don't go with really old axles (pre 70?) all dana 44 axle joints are the same.  5-297X is the spicer part #. 

35-36 is what I run on a 44 front.  However it's not real uncommon at that point to break axle joints or stock shafts. 

[Willysman23]

So if I went with some 33 or narrow 34's,I could keep those axles together when I get a little rough with it?The whole theme of this vehicle is durability,so this is why I want 1/2 axles.I would like to fine a pair of waggy axles but the only junkyard that has them is a rip-off,so I will have to call the others and see.Whats a fair price for them?

[xjnation]

http://springfield.craigslist.org/pts/770527937.html

Theres a front local for $100.  I see waggy axles for $2-300 for a matched set all the time.  Wish it was higher as I have a set of J10 d44s but its worth more than that to keep them.  Keep your eyes open, they are out there.  PM J2SAX, he has a ton of fsj stuff.

[CRAZY LARRY]

have you called johns 4x4? sometimes he will have somes or will know where some are at.

[Willysman23]

Around here(lakview,mnt home area)they are higher(4-500 for a set).I can get a dana 44 from a Dodge and a 8.8 or 9" from a ford cheaper than the waggy axles.Their just isn't many jeeps in the junkyard around here,and the ones that are have the drivers drop diff.

[LoneWolf]

Call Ted's Auto in Fordland , he has a set of 44's - high pinion

(417) 767-2717

[YJ_Aaron]

Unless its a custom axle... a hi pinion will be a drivers drop.  He needs pass drop.

[Willysman23]

Thanks for all the replies,and nice to see you on here whitehead. I was also wondering about my stock t-case.Jeep used the dana 20 in many of their v8 powered,granny low 3/4 and 1 tons didn't they?So my case' should be alright for my application,right as long as it is ok?I was gonna tear it down and rebuild it and remove the interlock pins for a twin stick setup,has anyone here done that?

[YJ_Aaron]

The rear output is the weak link on your dana 20.  However with the build you have shown it will be ok.