I don't know if it is bad luck, or just abusing light-duty stuff.
I don't know what size tires you are running, and if you have an open diff, or what - but I still recommend a stouter axle behind a 350. After all, it did break once already. I say it's time to swap in a 44 at least.
If you don't have the money, just replace the R&P, but don't call it 'bad luck' if it breaks again!
If you haven't already invested money in one piece axles, locker, trussing etc, I would see if I could find a ScoutII Dana 44 to replace the AMC 20. You will get a similarly old axle, but at least it will have one piece axles and larger diameter tubes.
If I were going to do this again from scratch, I'd get Dana 44's front and rear from a wagoneer, outboard the front springs and switch over to 6 bolt wheels.
With your Superior axles and a truss that 20 is as strong as a 44, but why sink money into stuff that's only as strong as what you've got. If you can get a R & P for cheap then that's a good temporary fix, but when I break stuff, it's usually a good excuse for an upgrade. If it were me, I'd look for a 9" Ford Cab and Chassy (which is about wide track lenght), or a Dana 60. Why put something in that's just going to do this again?
A 9`` would be nice . I don`t know what to look for. I`ll probably put the R&P in this time and then look for better axles for a swap this winter. I am in the middle of getting a house and shop built right now. We just bought a place with a house that was not finished. We are finishing the house and I am building a 30 X40 shop. PLus now the weather is getting nice down here I want to drive my jeep. Thanks for the replys.
If your wide track, a cab and chassy 9" is an easy swap. That's anything that had a 9" rear and factory dual rear wheels under the body. Look for junked campers and dually Ford's. The junk yard here quoted me $100 bones, I just have to find a decent front that matches. Good luck.
Cj5, If I replace the axle, it will not be with a 44. The ring gear on the 20 is bigger than a 44. An AMC 20 with solid axle shafts should hold up as good as a 44. Maybe the tubes are weaker but not the R&P.
If it was me, i would replace the r&p and ask yourself a few questions. What kind of shape were the bearings in. If they were tired or worn out, then that is what broke the r&p. There are a ton of reasons why it could have broke. But the amc20 is a strong rear.
Found a 9`` rearend with a detroit locker for $450. The only problem I see is that it is 5 on 4 1/2. The width is 57 1/2`` from flange to flange. Can I have the flanges redrilled?
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