Mystery Axle and drum to disc conversion

[FiNorman]

Since I have an 85 CJ7 I assumed that I had an AMC20 . I ordered the parts and started the process to convert the drum to disc brakes.
The problem was that the parts didn't seem to fit. The bracket was too small and the bolts appeared to be too large to fit through the bracket.

Then I realize that maybe I don't have a 20, maybe it's a Dana 44 or 60. I text the previous owner who sold the jeep for his dad, who has since passed away and he confirms that his dad did "upgrade" the axle, but he doesn't know what kind or from what.

I google the picture and it looks like a 44, but why would he trade them out?

I have already cut most of the back plate for the drivers side so I'm at the point of no return.

Anyone have any advice on what kind of axle this is, how I can ID it and how I can successfully continue with the conversion? Should I just get a Ford Axle with the disc already on it?

Coincidentally someone started a thread this morning about converting a 44, so if it is a 44 I will follow that thread to see what I can learn.

The one solution I thought of was to continue with what I have, grind the bracket to be wider, Make the holes bigger, and in picture 4 you can see that the fabricated bracket won't sit flush against the drum plate backing, maybe I could fabricate a piece of aluminum or steel from a clay impression to fit into that "valley in the backing and allow the bracket to sit flush
thanks

 

[CJ]

Dana 44

Here is a handy cover image I found on the web a while agao.

The OP could have stripped the axles hubs, bent the axle, wanted stronger tubes, gear change, locker, or??? Who knows what could have happened to change it out. It's a good axle for your CJ.

See -->> http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/cj-axles-12186/#post97662

 

[gert]

Just order the caliper adapters for the Dana 44 and and enjoy good axle

 

[FiNorman]

Dana 44


The OP could have stripped the axles hubs, bent the axle, wanted stronger tubes, gear change, locker, or??? Who knows what could have happened to change it out. It's a good axle for your CJ.

See -->> http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f105/cj-axles-12186/#post97662

Are you thinking 44 or 60? does it matter? is the dana more desirable than the AMC20 ?

 

[FiNorman]

Just order the caliper adapters for the Dana 44 and and enjoy good axle

do you have a source for the caliper adapters? do I still use the Geo tracker rotors and the 300zx calipers?

 

[coldair]

It can be argued that the Dana 44 is a better axle then the AMC20 . The AMC20 has a bigger ring gear and pinion but thinner axle tubes. The Dana 44 has thicker tubes but smaller ring gear and pinion. You can truss both which respond great to it. Myself I have a Dana 44 in the rear of my 86 CJ7 it came from the factory that way. That's the reason I bought it. LOVE my Dana 44

 

[Incommando]

In stock CJ form the Dana 44 is head and shoulders above the M20. The two-piece shafts alone are reason enough to make that statement. Sure the M20 can be modified for a few hundred bucks to equal a Dana 44 by using after-market axle shafts and welding the tubes but that same few extra hundred bucks added to upgrade the Dana 44 just puts it that much further ahead. The larger ring gear on the M20 ( 8 7/8 vs the Dana 44 's 8 1/2) isn't that relevant as breaking the ring gear is not a common event for either axle. Besides, the Dana 44 uses a higher spline count and thicker diameter pinion so let's call the r&p differences a wash.

All of the 1/2 ton axles ( Dana 44 , M20, 8.8,9", GM 10-bolt to name the most common) can benefit from trussing and other strengtheners.

The real place the Dana 44 beats the M20 to death is in the availability and price of both new and used parts. Things like lockers, LSD's, R&P's, just about everything are cheaper and more readily available for the Dana 44 .

D60 rears were not available in the CJ. Just about anything can be bought or fabbed to go into a CJ though. The D60 is the next step up in strength over the Dana 44 and is considered a "3/4 ton" rear axle. A full-floating version is better for several reasons. These are most likely to have an 8-lug pattern and to be much wider than a CJ axle unless modified.