Axle diagrams

[Tim]

To aid those that have a hard time visualizing the differences in some of the axles we use on our rigs, I've got some diagrams to share. If you are visually impaired like me, (can't picture squat), perhaps these will clear things up a bit.

Here's a closed knuckle Dana 27 front.

[Tim]

Here's an open knuckle Dana 30 front. The open knuckle design allows for more swivelling or turning of the front wheels, which allows for a tighter turning radius up to a point depending of the diameter of your tires. The tread width of the Dana 27 front is 50.0" and the tread width of the Dana 30 front used on '72-'73 Commandos and '72-'83 CJ's was 51.5". The turning circle for '66-'71 stock Jeepster Commandos is 43.6' while the turning circle for the '72-'73 stock Commandos is 37.8'. The other benefit of the Dana 30 is that just about any traction device, (limited slips, lockers, etc.), is available for it while the choices for the Dana 27 are slim to none and Slim is out of town, or nearly so.

[Tim]

Here's a Dana 44 two-piece tapered rear.

[Tim]

Here's how the tapered 44 rear goes together. My apologies on this one, you're gonna hafta tilt your head like you're eating a taco. If I only had a brain I coulda taken the pic upright. The mind is a terrible thing. Anywho, notice the keyway that keeps the hub from spinning on the shaft and the nut that holds it all together. Not the strongest design for off-roaders that run with big ol' meats.

[Tim]

Here's a one-piece flanged Dana 44 rear. A definate upgrade in strength over the tapered 44.

[Tim]

Here's what a full float axle looks like. On the full floater, the weight of the vehicle rests on the hub and not the axle. Stronger yet over the flanged with the added bonus of not losing your wheel, should the axle snap. Also, with lock-out hubs, it allows for a variety of options like flat towing without disconnecting driveline and frontwheel drive.

[GoldToyBox]

Thanks for your efforts, it was appriciated.