full width axles
full width axles
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Jimbos76cj
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With the 84 you should have 5x5.5 bolt pattern.
As far as your question on the 1 tons.. IF your motor or wheeling style is requiring you to go to 1 tons then stick with the 8 lug. Im not a mechanical engineer but it seems to me that the heavier the payload for the truck the more lug nuts it has so there has to be some relevance. Have you looking at the associated costs of the 1 tons ? Keep in mind that CJ's frames are not known for thier great strength. if your putting huge tires on it you will need to reinforce the frame and you will also need to outboard the front. Dont forget if your state has inspection you may need to have some big flares to cover them.
As far as your question on the 1 tons.. IF your motor or wheeling style is requiring you to go to 1 tons then stick with the 8 lug. Im not a mechanical engineer but it seems to me that the heavier the payload for the truck the more lug nuts it has so there has to be some relevance. Have you looking at the associated costs of the 1 tons ? Keep in mind that CJ's frames are not known for thier great strength. if your putting huge tires on it you will need to reinforce the frame and you will also need to outboard the front. Dont forget if your state has inspection you may need to have some big flares to cover them.
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There is a strength difference compared to the 5 lug 8 lug design. If you are going with 1 ton axles I would find it hard to justify going to the trouble of converting them to 5 lug… but totally up to you 
Have you thought about using a full width 9" rear and Dana 44 front to keep your wheel pattern, you will have a lot of strength potential out of those axles and no bolt pattern conversions
Have you thought about using a full width 9" rear and Dana 44 front to keep your wheel pattern, you will have a lot of strength potential out of those axles and no bolt pattern conversions
Old Dog
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Time for some new 8 lug wheels.
Scooter402
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Once again,
What tire size do you plan on running? if you're going to be running less than a 38" tire, I'd forget the 14ff rear. The differential is HUGE, and will limit your ground clearance (read ANCHOR for the rocks) unless you plan on shaving it.
I had a 14/44 combo in mine several years back, and switched to a 12 bolt, because my use for the Jeep didn't need the weight (~550 lbs) and lack of clearance associated with the 14 bolt.
It is possible, however, to switch the 14 bolt ff down to a 5 or 6 lug bolt circle. You can machine the hubs down, plug, and re-drill the lug holes to match any bolt pattern you would like as long as it is on a 5.5" or larger bolt circle. There are also companies that make aftermarket hubs for a 5 or 6 lug pattern on a 5.5" circle. The only thing you need to do is machine the outer edge of the axle flange to clear the wheel so it can be removed without pulling the axle shaft.
Long story short, you could go with a Ford 9" (big bearing, 31 spline being the preferable) and save yourself a lot of weight and ground clearance while retaining your 5.5" bolt pattern. You can also get spindles and hubs from a Ford 44 to put on the front, if you already have a Chevy 44 sourced.
What tire size do you plan on running? if you're going to be running less than a 38" tire, I'd forget the 14ff rear. The differential is HUGE, and will limit your ground clearance (read ANCHOR for the rocks) unless you plan on shaving it.
I had a 14/44 combo in mine several years back, and switched to a 12 bolt, because my use for the Jeep didn't need the weight (~550 lbs) and lack of clearance associated with the 14 bolt.
It is possible, however, to switch the 14 bolt ff down to a 5 or 6 lug bolt circle. You can machine the hubs down, plug, and re-drill the lug holes to match any bolt pattern you would like as long as it is on a 5.5" or larger bolt circle. There are also companies that make aftermarket hubs for a 5 or 6 lug pattern on a 5.5" circle. The only thing you need to do is machine the outer edge of the axle flange to clear the wheel so it can be removed without pulling the axle shaft.
Long story short, you could go with a Ford 9" (big bearing, 31 spline being the preferable) and save yourself a lot of weight and ground clearance while retaining your 5.5" bolt pattern. You can also get spindles and hubs from a Ford 44 to put on the front, if you already have a Chevy 44 sourced.
Posi
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Scooter402
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Just to clarify the 44/SF14 is 3/4 ton, the 60/ff14 is 1 ton
There are also 3/4 ton 14FF axles. That's what I had when I had a 44/14 combo in my CJ.
To complicate matters, there also exists a SF 14 bolt that is factory 6 lug.
Posi
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There are also 3/4 ton 14FF axles. That's what I had when I had a 44/14 combo in my CJ.
Point was the 44/14 combo OP has is 3/4 ton regardless of SF or FF.
Az84cj7
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There is a strength difference compared to the 5 lug 8 lug design. If you are going with 1 ton axles I would find it hard to justify going to the trouble of converting them to 5 lug… but totally up to you
If using a 9" rear and 44 front keeps me from haveing to change out to new wheels because of bolt pattern difference, then I would definitely consider it. I don't think I need 1 tons. I just would like to widen my jeep stance and have axles that can handle some decent rock crawling.
I think I know what to look for as far as the front end but what about the rear 9"? what vehicle or years would be best?