Full size axles?

chains20 · #1 05-07-2007, 05:57 PM

Alright since im doing the V8 thing I have a set of 1974 axles that are already spring over and I was wondring if i can use these axles without to much modification. The axles were attached to a J4000 that ended up being scrapped.

Thank you fot all of the help.
Matt

chdorsey · #2 05-07-2007, 07:50 PM

You'll have to outboard the front springs or narrow the axles. That will be the biggest mod.

Chris

LCAC_Man · #3 05-07-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chdorsey

You'll have to outboard the front springs or narrow the axles. That will be the biggest mod.

Chris

Yep, you'll be outboarding the spring mounts/shackle hangars.
Steering will be your next biggest issue. I'd recommend going with a hi-steer system.
Driveshaft lengths will change and brakelines will have to be reworked but that's pretty straight forward stuff.
If you're planning to run stock springs and bigger tires you'll also need some type of anti-wrap bar/device for the rear axle to keep from destroying the springs.

BRIANster · #4 05-07-2007, 10:03 PM

I believe all 74-78 waggys and j trucks had stock flat top knuckles and were 30 spline d44's. If the front is setup for sua you will need to have a perch welded on the cast portion of the diff housing to go soa.

chains20 · #5 05-08-2007, 11:06 AM

How much would i have to narrow the front? i should probably narrow the rear as well then huh. are there axles that i should look for that may work better then FSJ axles?

Thank you

Tim · #6 05-08-2007, 05:21 PM

If you're going to do a soa, it's best to use a front axle that's been designed from the factory for soa. This will allow for less problems with steering and tracking when completed. GM & Dodge trucks would be good choices. It is unfortunate though that the best choices will require shortening if you want to keep the stock Jeepster spring positioning.

As to best axles that don't require shortening, then Scout II comes to mind at appx 57" wms to wms. But they are set up for sua and front axles have zero degrees caster, (Jeeps like 4 to 6 degrees).

No real good candidates that don't require major work to make them work well, but there are plenty of home-grown solutions out there in rigs to get the mission accomplished. Just don't know how safe they are on the highway.

Tim · #7 05-08-2007, 05:29 PM

Here's the method we used to shorten my axles:

http://forums.off-road.com/jeepster-...hortening.html (Axle shortening)

chains20 · #8 05-08-2007, 06:37 PM

How! great write up. i dont have the means of which to do something like that yet. Maybe i will just look at getting springs made and staying spring under. Well I will call around first to see how much it would be to have a shop shorten some axles first though.

Thank you for all of the great information

Jeepster Jim · #9 05-09-2007, 12:12 PM

When I shortened my D-44 axle, I did not want to pay the heavy price of having custom axles made up so I had the diff. shortened up so that the long side used early Bronco and the short side waggie. True, my axles do not stick way out like many guys like, but it was a lot cheaper to build and if I break an axle, I can easily obtain one.

chains20 · #10 05-09-2007, 03:17 PM

That is great idea! do you know what the width is then? i am not too concerned with the axles needing to be wide but would like to have atleast d44's since I will have a V8 and (if I calculated right) 35's. Another thing i was wondering was if one was to switch to coils instead of using leaf springs could the need to shorten the axles be helped?

Thank you all