AMC carriers - where have they all gone??

[shum8]

Ok - I know his is where I'm supposed to install a locker, but due to budgetary constraints, the locker's gonna have to wait. However, I am going to regear the CJ before I reassemble everything. The WT axles that were swapped in are the fabulous 2.73 variety . It's running a AMC 304 in front of a T-176 and a Dana 300 . (Part number on tranny tag indicates a T177, but I digress) I still have wonderful memories of my first Jeep with the T-4 and AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l peddling 2.73's........ Never again. I have sourced the gears, install kits, and a Dana 30 carrier, but I swear unicorn horns are easier to come by. And no, I REALLY do not want a nearly 300 dollar Omix-Ada open carrier. eBay carriers kinda wig me out, and other than the Omix, I'm striking out. Anyone point me in the direction of the hiding place(s) of the carriers for the numerically higher gear sets??

Thank all to pieces.

Rob

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Omix is China JUNK!
Call these folks.......
J&W Auto Wreckers: New & Used Jeep Parts - Home
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

What size gears are you shooting for? 2.73 carriers will handle 3.54's

 

[shum8]

Omix is China JUNK!
Call these folks.......
J&W Auto Wreckers: New & Used Jeep Parts - Home
LG

Thanks for the heads up - I'll check with em here in a bit....

What size gears are you shooting for? 2.73 carriers will handle 3.54's

Well, having memories of the last set of 2.73's, I'm thinkin 5.88's LOL. Seriously - I figure with a AMC 304 in front of a t177 and Dana 300 turning 32's, charts say 4.11 but I think for a compromise between highway and the woods, probably 3.73's.

At least that's what my pea brain is sayin

 

[Lumpy Grits]

What size gears are you shooting for? 2.73 carriers will handle 3.54's

HH You sure the carrier 'break' for the AMC20 isn't 3:31?
LG

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Thanks for the heads up - I'll check with em here in a bit....




Well, having memories of the last set of 2.73's, I'm thinkin 5.88's LOL. Seriously - I figure with a AMC 304 in front of a t177 and Dana 300 turning 32's, charts say 4.11 but I think for a compromise between highway and the woods, probably 3.73's.

At least that's what my pea brain is sayin

I'm run 4:88 R&P and love'em.
LG

 

[shum8]

HH You sure the carrier 'break' for the AMC20 isn't 3:31?
LG

Everything I've run across says the AMC20 carriers came in two versions - 2.73 and everything else. Now, that's based on internet - not real world info. But it appears that the 2.73's used a different carrier to make room for the pinion.......... I personally have no idea.... LOL

Thought briefly about just swapping axles, but I think I'll just regear these and roll on.

 

[Hedgehog]

Grits - the AMC20 and the Dana 44 change at different gear ratios. The AMC20 is 3.54 and down .... the Dana 44 is 3.73 and down .... I had to get a new carrier for the Dana 44

 

[Woolyworm]

Grits - the AMC20 and the Dana 44 change at different gear ratios. The AMC20 is 3.54 and down .... the Dana 44 is 3.73 and down .... I had to get a new carrier for the Dana 44

Correct - 3.54 for the 20


Wooly

 

[IOPort51]

I think I bought the last new one about 10 years ago from an outfit out of Birmingham Al. I will look some more for this but so far I am coming up dry. I found at the time a carrier that would handle the 2.73 with Limited slip. Hard to find a used one unless you replace the spiders. and you will for sure want to change out the clutches.

 

[Torxhead]

Shum8, also consider a low gear set for the Transfer Case , I believe there is a 4:1 set available. I have a 4:10 rear gear w/33s w/o an Overdrive and think it is a bit too low for interstate speeds.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

OP-I would recommend, with your driveline this.
Go to R&P ratio of either 3:54 or 3:73 with 33" tires.
X2 on the 4:1 t'case conversion.
Strongly suggest 1-piece Moser axles for the rear.
A good Limited slip or locking diff in the rear, and a Limited slip in the front would work well also.
LG

 

[Hedgehog]

I recently did a swap in the other direction to more of a highway set of gears (3.31). From 3.73's to 3.31's the difference in the way the engine performs is dramatic. Going the other way a switch from 2.73's to 3.73's would be quite a bit more dramatic and very likely will get you where you need to be. That is unless you want more tire or are planning on doing really dramatic off road stuff. I liked my 3.73's but needed longer legs on Interstate 10 and hoped for an increase in MPG. I certainly achieved my goal as far as longer legs are concerned, but oddly enough the mileage seems to be the same. Remember this though, changing gears is EXPENSIVE, even if you do it yourself. Think long and hard before making the jump to change.

 

[hagar]

here's one

For Sale AMC 20 Carrier

 

[Flex BT]

Just switched from 2.73 to 4.10 and if I could do it again I would go 3.73. I have a T-5 and would like to get one of the sturdier transmissions but at 1:1 this thing would be terrible on the highway. I'm pretty much stuck with a T-5 forever now unless I do something crazy like try to get an AX-15 in there which seems like way too much work.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Been run'n a T-5 since I bought my Jeep new in '85.
I bought my buddies T-5 when he put a T-18 in his for $125.00.
About 15+ years ago my OEM T-5 start'd leak'n at the input shaft.
Put my other T-5 in, and it's still there.
Love my 4:88R&P/33'' tires and T-5 with 4:1 t'case.
LG

 

[shum8]

here's one

For Sale AMC 20 Carrier

hagar - Thanks for that! I may have a batter deal I ran across this morning - a buddy has a set of NT axles off a 78 CJ7 he said I could have..... Just hafta go get 'em. Since 2.72's weren't offered in 78, I'm bettin I have a couple carriers I can use. He said the brakes are frozen so I'll pop the cover off and count teeth. Hopefully both will be useable.

OP-I would recommend, with your driveline this.
Go to R&P ratio of either 3:54 or 3:73 with 33" tires.
X2 on the 4:1 t'case conversion.
Strongly suggest 1-piece Moser axles for the rear.
A good Limited slip or locking diff in the rear, and a Limited slip in the front would work well also.
LG

Lumpy - I have been chewing on this 24/7 since I decided to swap gears. charts say 4.11 or 4.56....... But I think with a T177, that's too low. 90% of my on road driving will be puttin around town..... Very little interstate. As for off road - nothing heavy.......... In the back of my head I was thinking 3.73 might be a good compromise. But remembering that first Jeep with 2.73's - makes me wanna err to the low side LOL. Already have one piece axles, and when discretionary funds allow, will probably add a lunchbox locker.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

With the hills you have, a 3:73 would be a good choice.
It also takes some of the toque load OFF of the tranny for a longer life.
LG

 

[shum8]

Alrighty then - 3.73 it will be! Thanks Lumpy.

I talked to a neighbor yesterday, and he was asking where the Jeep went - said he'd noticed it had been disappearing piece by piece. Told him it had been moving into the garage during a painfully slow reassembly. When I told him I had decided to regear, he told me to bring to his house and we'd knock em out in an hour or so - turns out he did that for 12 years at a dealership prior to taking a job at the .......Says he has every tool necessary. HECK YEAH!! That would take me a couple weeks LOL. Now I just gotta get em here.

I appreciate all the info and advice - would have been a one time shot in the dark.

 

[Shifter]

I have 3:73 and 31" tires, sm465. (No Overdrive ) absolutely love it.. Until I'm trying to run 70-75 down the eway...that's not very often. It'll run 60 really nicely.