Cutting down wider front axle to fit

[DJ5]

Looking to make a DJ5 4WD and want to keep the front axle at the stock width. Would really like a driver side drop front axle of the Dana 44 variety. I'm thinking a non vacuum 80's wagoneer axle.

Anybody here cut down a Dana 44 to fit a much narrower Jeep like a CJ5 ? Is there an off the shelf axle shaft I can use at the width I'm looking to go to or would I need to send the axles out to get machined?

 

[Scooter402]

Short answer -- no. There aren't any off-the-shelf axle shafts to cut it down quite that narrow. Let me do some quick looking around and I'll try and tell you just how narrow you can go with off the shelf axle shafts. Your best bet would be to send them off to Dutchman Motorsports or Moser Engineering. They both have decent prices for cutting/re-splining axle shafts. All you have to do is tell them how much you want cut off, but DON'T cut it for them.

 

[Scooter402]

You could lose 1" off the short side on the Waggy axle by using a 73-80 Scout II inner, and you could lose 4-3/16" off the long side by using an early Bronco long side inner. You'd lose nearly 5 1/4" overall.

So, if I have my original WMS for a Wagoneer front axle correct, you could have it down to 54" and some change with these axles. That would be about the same width as CJ7 wide track axles. Sorry for being so quick on my first post without doing my homework. Hope this helps.

 

[DJ5]

You could lose 1" off the short side on the Waggy axle by using a 73-80 Scout II inner, and you could lose 4-3/16" off the long side by using an early Bronco long side inner. You'd lose nearly 5 1/4" overall.

So, if I have my original WMS for a Wagoneer front axle correct, you could have it down to 54" and some change with these axles. That would be about the same width as CJ7 wide track axles. Sorry for being so quick on my first post without doing my homework. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. What's the difference in width between the CJ7 wide track axle and the CJ5 front axle?

 

[Scooter402]

Thanks for the info. What's the difference in width between the CJ7 wide track axle and the CJ5 front axle?

Wide track WMS is ~4" wider than a narrow track CJ axle. So you'd have about 2" wider on each side. Nothing a set of CJ7 fender flares wouldn't cover.

 

[DJ5]

Wide track WMS is ~4" wider than a narrow track CJ axle. So you'd have about 2" wider on each side. Nothing a set of CJ7 fender flares wouldn't cover.

Not a bad idea. If I made the front wider I'd like to make the rear wider as well to match and for stability purposes however not any significant room to widen the rear as the doors just barely clear the tires as-is.

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5453256945_6396185e89_o.jpg

I guess it might work if you used wheels with the right back spacing?

 

[tarry99]

Not a bad idea. If I made the front wider I'd like to make the rear wider as well to match and for stability purposes however not any significant room to widen the rear as the doors just barely clear the tires as-is.

http://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/5453256945_6396185e89_o.jpg

I guess it might work if you used wheels with the right back spacing?

DJ5

Dana 25-27.........early CJ...........51" Wheel mount to Wheel mount
Dana 30 narrow track..................53" " " 1972-1981
Dana 30 Wide Track.....................56" " " 1982-1986

 

[DJ5]

DJ5

Dana 25-27.........early CJ...........51" Wheel mount to Wheel mount
Dana 30 narrow track..................53" " " 1972-1981
Dana 30 Wide Track.....................56" " " 1982-1986

Thanks!

 

[73CJ]

I went 4" off the passenger side only on a 78 Cherokee Dana 44 .

Blew the stock outer axles, a beef up with hardened. Now last week blew the passenger inner. Time for hardened there too.

 

[DJ5]

I went 4" off the passenger side only on a 78 Cherokee Dana 44 .

Blew the stock outer axles, a beef up with hardened. Now last week blew the passenger inner. Time for hardened there too.

Wide track or narrow track Cherokee? How much did it cost to get them up and running?

I'm not looking to build a hardcore wheeler, just a 4WD postal Jeep with tire size of 30" or less.

 

[73CJ]

78s were wide track. XJs came out it 84.

Cut the tube - $0
Have weld should weld knuckle - $25
Moser shorten axle - $60

I went with F150 rotors $45 and Cherokee calipers. $16 ea rebuilt

But hang on. . 30" tires. I would find a Dana 30 . Shop for the right gears in the used axle. Disks can be added latter. It's a bolt up.

 

[DJ5]

78s were wide track. XJs came out it 84.

Cut the tube - $0
Have weld should weld knuckle - $25
Moser shorten axle - $60

I went with F150 rotors $45 and Cherokee calipers. $16 ea rebuilt

But hang on. . 30" tires. I would find a Dana 30 . Shop for the right gears in the used axle. Disks can be added latter. It's a bolt up.

There are some NT FSJ Cherokees out there, just wanted to be clear for my understanding.
http://jubileejeeps.org/faqs/75cheros.jpg

What do you mean by have weld should weld?

If I went with a Dana 30 (CJ5 ?) weren't they all passenger side drop? If that be the case what transfer cases would work? Engine will be a 4.0 with an AW4 or other OD Transmission . Would like 2WD/FT4WD&PT4WD if possible. BW1339 or NP242?