best setup to run with

[cj7pimp]

i just purchased a 1982 CJ7 that is all stock. has the inline 6 with the 5 speed tranny. i am looking to do some moderately offroading and playing in the mountains and mud and all. i was thinking of going with the 4.5 inch lift and 33's. i am just curious as to what gearing i should run and what would be a good setup for lift and for wheeling. i might also snag a scout 2 Dana 44 rear and a Dana 30 front and do an axle swap. any suggestions and help would be appreciated. thanks!! jeep is still going to be drivwn on the road also.

 

[Old Dog]

IMO 4:10's go well with 33's and you will need the 4" lift unless you want to cut your wheelwells.
If you get the one piece axles (you really need them) for your AMC20 you really shouldn't need to change to a 44. and you already have a Dana 30 front.

 

[cj7pimp]

are the one piece axle setups for the AMC20 going to be strong enough to do some moderate wheeling. nothing to extreme but maybe a little bit harder stuff. i can get the Dana 44 for less than $100 that is why i was thinking of going to that.

 

[diddy2003]

are the one piece axle setups for the AMC20 going to be strong enough to do some moderate wheeling. nothing to extreme but maybe a little bit harder stuff. i can get the Dana 44 for less than $100 that is why i was thinking of going to that.

Is that Dana 44 a wide trac or narrow trac model? Finding narrow trac 44s are easy. Wide tracs, which is what you have, is a whole different story. You could always narrow one that came out of a waggy or scout, but that is just a PITA.

I agree. 4.10s would be a good idea for 33s. With that lift you should be able to run those tires without issue. One piece axle shafts with the AMC20 is a fine set-up. 44s are stronger stock vs stock, but a one-piece/welded tubed/trussed AMC20 is a strong axle assembly that would be fine for 33s. Even without the truss it would be pretty strong. For bigger tires I would think about bigger, but for 33s that should be fine imo.

 

[Old Dog]

That scout 44 is going to be about 4" wider than what you have now, by the time you narrow it you will have more $ in it than the 1 piece axles for the 20. If you get 1 piece axles get the Moser or Superior's. Should be between 250 and 300 $.
There are several of us here with the 20 that do more than moderate wheeling. Unless you think moderate is different than we do.
If you really want a 44 though don't let us talk you out of it, I just don't think it's needed or that much stronger than a 20.

 

[IOPort51]

run what you have for a while.

It can be better but there is nothing wrong with it right out of the box.

AMC 20s don't fold up spontaneously as they drive down the trail even with 33s.

Drive it and decide what you want.

If someone tells you 4.10s are good for 33s ask him why he thinks that. I think Diddy can back it up and I know Dog can but don't be too eager to take peoples word for it just because it was in last months JP magazine.

Personally I would unload that Transmission before I worried a lot about the axle. recycled beer cans don't make good tranny cases and over drive transmissions have no place on a Jeep. If you have the right gears you are at the peak of your power band at your favorite cruising speed.

 

[Petescj]

The only thing Id add to this is if you can get the axle tubes welded to the center section. I'll second everything else.

IMO 4:10's go well with 33's and you will need the 4" lift unless you want to cut your wheelwells.
If you get the one piece axles (you really need them) for your AMC20 you really shouldn't need to change to a 44. and you already have a Dana 30 front.

 

[diddy2003]

run what you have for a while.

It can be better but there is nothing wrong with it right out of the box.

AMC 20s don't fold up spontaneously as they drive down the trail even with 33s.

Drive it and decide what you want.

If someone tells you 4.10s are good for 33s ask him why he thinks that. I think Diddy can back it up and I know Dog can but don't be too eager to take peoples word for it just because it was in last months JP magazine.

Personally I would unload that Transmission before I worried a lot about the axle. recycled beer cans don't make good tranny cases and over drive transmissions have no place on a Jeep. If you have the right gears you are at the peak of your power band at your favorite cruising speed.

Wish I could. My 4.10 axle assemblies are currently sitting in my parent's garage waiting to be put on, haha. Lift did just come in today and that is all I was waiting on.

I went with 33s. I chose 4.10s because I found a set of axles with that gearing in them for CHEAP, and they have LSDs in them front and rear. After a TON of research, I am glad I did go with 4.10s. It was between 3.73s or 4.10s, but the lower gear only shows maybe 200 rpm difference at 55 mph. I would rather have that extra gear down low for the woods and for driveability. I do agree with you though about the 5 speed. The op should look for a T-176 or even a T-18a. Much better transmissions than that T-5 imo. The first thing I did with my jeep, when I bought it, was sell the T-4 that the PO gave me. Soft light duty transmissions.

 

[IOPort51]

I think you did quite well.

you got a good deal on axles, that is a very cool thing and counts for a lot in any Jeep decision.

You know where your power band is and the 4.10 and 33" tires will give you a good speed at a good RPM and good off road "grunt" power in low lock.

these are all well thought out decisions.

And one more thing, CJ7 pimp.

:ww:from the Republic of Texas.
glad you are here.

Wish I could. My 4.10 axle assemblies are currently sitting in my parent's garage waiting to be put on, haha. Lift did just come in today and that is all I was waiting on.

I went with 33s. I chose 4.10s because I found a set of axles with that gearing in them for CHEAP, and they have LSDs in them front and rear. After a TON of research, I am glad I did go with 4.10s. It was between 3.73s or 4.10s, but the lower gear only shows maybe 200 rpm difference at 55 mph. I would rather have that extra gear down low for the woods and for driveability. I do agree with you though about the 5 speed. The op should look for a T-176 or even a T-18a. Much better transmissions than that T-5 imo. The first thing I did with my jeep, when I bought it, was sell the T-4 that the PO gave me. Soft light duty transmissions.

 

[cj7pimp]

thanks guys for all the help!! i am super stoked to be a jeep owner and to go out wheeling and meet some cool *** people. it sounds like all of you guys have ton of experience and know a lot about jeeps and wheeling. i think i am just going to go with the one piece axle kits like everyone is saying. seems like a good setup for the rear. any recommendations on lift kit brands and how high?? just curious. thanks!!

 

[Razorfish]

What about a 4:1 gear set for the Dana 300 instead of 4:11 diff gears? They're both going to be expensive.

 

[IOPort51]

You never told us what you have now. except for engine and tranny.

"All stock" can cover a lot of territory. What ratio and differentials are you carrying now??