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Wider Axles on a CJ8

MomoJeep

MomoJeep

Basic User
City
Seattle
State
WA
Hi guys,

Does anyone have experience with the handling differences of axles wider than stock? Im running 32-33" tires. Say 2-4" overall wider, or so. I already have 1983 "Wide Track". It would seem the jeep would be more "Stable"? Maybe even better for towing. Maybe look a little cooler (if they weren't "too" wide)? Any drawbacks?

Then if sticking with stock axles, I imagine wheel spaces could be an option. I've heard of the potential drawback of extra wear on the bearings. Would 1" spacers make any noticeable handling difference?
 
I'm in your situation right now. I did wheel spacers.. I'm not worried about the extra wear on the bearings at 2k miles per year.... I'm worried about forgetting to check torque on the studs inside the wheel spacers.

I'm passively shopping for new axles.. the back seems easy (d44 from Izuzu). The front is a bit harder.
 
tower210 said:
I'm in your situation right now. I did wheel spacers.. I'm not worried about the extra wear on the bearings at 2k miles per year.... I'm worried about forgetting to check torque on the studs inside the wheel spacers.

I'm passively shopping for new axles.. the back seems easy (d44 from Izuzu). The front is a bit harder.
Click to expand...
J-truck front narrowed 4” on the long side, or a Waggy front and outboard the springs.
 
tower210 said:
I'm in your situation right now. I did wheel spacers.. I'm not worried about the extra wear on the bearings at 2k miles per year.... I'm worried about forgetting to check torque on the studs inside the wheel spacers.

I'm passively shopping for new axles.. the back seems easy (d44 from Izuzu). The front is a bit harder.
Click to expand...

How easy is the rear swap from the Izuzu? what does it require?
 
I have narrow tracks with 1.25" spacers which puts it pretty close to wide tracks, but I'd much rather prefer straight wide tracks. Don't know that I'd want to go wider than that, though.
 
walkerhoundvm said:
I have narrow tracks with 1.25" spacers which puts it pretty close to wide tracks, but I'd much rather prefer straight wide tracks. Don't know that I'd want to go wider than that, though.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. What year is your Scrambler? I assume the narrow track years (81-82?) have the same body width?

If I swap out and sell my wide-track AMC20/1-pc axles (3.31) would you be interested?
 
MomoJeep said:
Gotcha. What year is your Scrambler? I assume the narrow track years (81-82?) have the same body width?

If I swap out and sell my wide-track AMC20/1-pc axles (3.31) would you be interested?
Click to expand...
It's an 81, and yes the body width is all the same. At this stage, I'm at a plateau with my axles, and going with AMC 20 would probably be a step backwards. I've got a narrow Dana 44 in the rear now and both axles were recently rebuilt and regeared. I'd be passively looking for a Dana 30 front/44 rear in wide track lengths and 3.73 gears, probably along the lines of what @tower210 is doing.
 
If you go with full size axle in the front you'll need to outboard the front springs to keep the axle centered. (or cut the driver side). The Isuzu rear 44 will have a different bolt pattern (6-lug), so you need to address that somehow). I'd be tempted to use a Ford 8.8" from an Explorer before the Isuzu 44 (same bolt pattern issue, but a little stronger than a D44 when done).
 
I believe the Isuzu Dana 44 is the same 6 lug bolt pattern as the Wagoneer front 44. If I had known it at the time I did my axles, I would have gone that route.

I have a Scout Dana 44 rear and Wagoneer 44 front with the Ford 5 lug hub conversion.
 
Kind of a toss up between doing the Ford 5-lug conversion for the front or buying new wheels.
 
CJ8Rockcrawler said:
I have a Scout Dana 44 rear and Wagoneer 44 front with the Ford 5 lug hub conversion.
Click to expand...
I have the same, with the front Waggy axle narrowed 4” on the long side. It works out to 58” front and rear, it drives well and I don’t have any sway bars.
 
I run an isuzu 44 rear which also gets you rear disc, for the front I used a 79 cherokee chief wide track cut down 4 inches on long side. This axle does not have to be outboarded because of pinion placement, also you can use a stock 82 waggy axle on long side instead of have axle custom cut. Both axles have the same 6 lug bolt pattern.
 
Spieg said:
Kind of a toss up between doing the Ford 5-lug conversion for the front or buying new wheels.
Click to expand...

For me, I replaced the rear axle several years before the front, so the conversion made sense on the front axle, but you're right, you have either option when you're doing both axles at once.

I kept the Waggy axle full width and outboard the springs.
 
dmorolli said:
I run an isuzu 44 rear which also gets you rear disc, for the front I used a 79 cherokee chief wide track cut down 4 inches on long side. This axle does not have to be outboarded because of pinion placement, also you can use a stock 82 waggy axle on long side instead of have axle custom cut. Both axles have the same 6 lug bolt pattern.
Click to expand...

The Izuzu CAN get you rear disc... Base models had drums and 4.56 gears... I would love the 4.56 gears (matches what I have); but want discs...
 
dmorolli said:
I run an isuzu 44 rear which also gets you rear disc, for the front I used a 79 cherokee chief wide track cut down 4 inches on long side. This axle does not have to be outboarded because of pinion placement, also you can use a stock 82 waggy axle on long side instead of have axle custom cut. Both axles have the same 6 lug bolt pattern.
Click to expand...

This is a question I have had for a while... So there is a 44 front that will work without outboarding springs? I have a shackle reversal (pivots in front; shackles in back) and it would make outboarding really tough... Is the 79 Chief Wide just a little longer on the short side than the J10s and others?
 
MomoJeep said:
And how does it do on snow/ice?
Click to expand...

I like the true trac. Does fine unless I pick a rear wheel completely up. I'm sure it's not as good a Detroit Locker

My DD is an Audi Allroad; so I don't need the jeep in the gunk...

I don't like my top/don't like salt/rust....so mine hasn't seen ice/snow on a road in 4 years...even then only maybe twice since I built it... Given that information; I'm not likely the best person to answer that.

I hear they do fine. My local shop recommends them for that use if you can't afford / find a selectable for the back. I just put one in the back of my sons WJ. I'll know by next year how well that does...
 
tower210 said:
This is a question I have had for a while... So there is a 44 front that will work without outboarding springs? I have a shackle reversal (pivots in front; shackles in back) and it would make outboarding really tough... Is the 79 Chief Wide just a little longer on the short side than the J10s and others?
Click to expand...
tower210 said:
This is a question I have had for a while... So there is a 44 front that will work without outboarding springs? I have a shackle reversal (pivots in front; shackles in back) and it would make outboarding really tough... Is the 79 Chief Wide just a little longer on the short side than the J10s and others?
Click to expand...

It is a few inches longer on short side which eliminates the need to outboard. J10 front axle is the same,

https://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/154-0904-junkyard-axle-guide/
 
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