1983 CJ7 Brake Plate

[rnbenson39]

Looking for a CJ7 brakeplate. Damaged beyond repair after axle broke, and can not find one anyplace. This is a friends of mine, and she stated they looked everywhere for one. Didn't believe her, but she's right, very hard part to find. My email is rnbenson39@neo.rr.com. Let me know what you need to know about rear, guessing its a 20, but not the one working on it, well have to as her boyfriend. Thanks for any help you can give me.

Ron

 

[CJKrawler]

Would need to know what the axle is, as there is a difference. If you are not sure, post up a pic, or have them join up. Otherwise it may be a bit difficult.

 

[priceg]

Welcome to the site and the classifieds. I have several, they are a hundred bucks apiece plus shipping. Have a nice holiday.

 

[rnbenson39]

He said its a AMC20 rearend.

 

[MN CJ7]

Most of the CJ's have the AMC20 rear end. You can buy a whole axle for 75-100$$ and get some extra parts at the same time. To the right of the pumpking cover on the axle there is a stamping with one letter or two. That will tell you the axle gearing ratio.

All AMC 20s have a 8 7/8" R&P and use a 29 spline shafts. The AMC20 R&P is 3/8" bigger than the Dana 44 , but it uses smaller shafts, smaller axle tubes, and the CJ version comes with weaker two piece shafts. The AMC20 uses a 29 spline shaft where as the later Dana 44 uses a 30 spline shaft. The AMC20 housing tends to flex a lot which can cause breakage. This can be remedied by welding the tubes and/or adding gussets. The reason the AMC20 flexes more than the Dana 44 is the shorter differential housing and smaller axle tubes. It's other flaw is the CJ version uses the two piece axle made up of a hub and a shaft. The hub end tends to break off under load which has created the market for one piece AMC20 axle shafts. Unfortunately, the shafts are expensive ($350+ USD) and in some cases a special bearing must be used.
Identifying the gear ratio of an AMC20 is a bit tricky. Dana axles normally have a tag on the left of the diff cover with the gear ratio at the time of build. The AMC axles have a code that has to be looked up in a table. The code is stamped on the housing boss to the left of the diff cover right near the axle tube. Good part about the stamp is it tends to stay readable longer than the tag, but you have to know the code. Since there are conflicts between what a code means for a narrow track and what it means for a wide track, don't count solely on the code to identify an axle. Bring a tape measure or know the source of the part.
Specs

Narrow Track AMC20 ​

Code ​

Gear Ratio ​

Diff Type ​

AA ​

2.73
Open

DD ​

2.73
Trac-Lok

BB ​

3.31
Open

CC ​

3.31
Trac-Lok

A ​

3.54
Open

N ​

3.54
Trac-Lok

GG ​

3.73
Open

Q ​

3.73
Trac-Lok

L ​

4.10
Open

M ​

4.10
Trac-Lok

Wide Track AMC20 ​

Code ​

Gear Ratio ​

Diff Type ​

D ​

2.73
Open

DD ​

2.73
Trac-Lok

B ​

3.31
Open

BB ​

3.31
Trac-Lok

A ​

3.54
Open

AA ​

3.54
Trac-Lok

H ​

3.73
Open

HH ​

3.73
Trac-Lok

C ​

4.10
Open

CC ​

4.10
Trac-Lok





1983 would be wide trac Dana 20 , but any axle could be a donator for your brake plate.



I have a AMC20 with moser solid axles, new bearings, new brakes, new drums, 3.54 gears that I purchased for my CJ7 78 that I am not going to use. This is a narrow trac so not a swap for you but a cost compairson. Solid axles are $250 alone. I would be pleased to get $250 for my AMC20 . I have purchased 2 Dana 44s and few AMC20 /Dana 30s all for $100 each complete.

Check craigslist in your area or local clubs and should be able to get a wide track for parts for $100. If you find a scrap/broken gears, broken shaft, you could get that for 50 or less.