Need help with axles in 1981 cj5

[funderburgh22]

i bought a 1981 CJ5 that is a roller only and has a Dana 30 front AMC20 rear. i am wanting to run 33s and do a little offroading mostly on road use. the AMC20 rear diff was welded so i am looking for a replacement. i dont mind welding, mods to make an axle fit. should i get a ford 8.8 or is there any toyota axles that would work? i dont want it to be super wide but as long as it doesnt look stupid im open anything even if it means switching the front

 

[jp360cj]

The AMC20 with 1 piece shafts will be fine for mild offroad and 33s. A set of 82-86 CJ7 (or 8) widetrack axle will be the easiest and cheapest swap. If you find a set from a 4 cylinder, they'll probably have 3.54 or 4.10 gears if factory. The CJ WT axles will gain you 3" of width.

An Explorer 8.8 is a good axle, but the wrong bolt pattern with no good option for a matching front lug pattern. You could run wheel adapters, or just different wheels for the front and back. Or go big with a C clip eliminator kit with the correct pattern. For the front, you'd be looking a Scout axle, FSJ NT, maybe a narrowed FSJ WT or GM. You'd end up 8-10" wider than you are now (about stock YJ/TJ width)
F150 8.8s are the right bolt pattern, but are full width (65") so 12-15" wider than stock.

I know nothing about toyota axles.

For your uses, I see no reason not to go with stock CJ axles.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

and :ww:

Moser 1-piece axles might be the way to go.
What R&P ratio do you have in the axles?
What carrier-LSD, DL or open?

LG

 

[funderburgh22]

The AMC20 with 1 piece shafts will be fine for mild offroad and 33s. A set of 82-86 CJ7 (or 8) widetrack axle will be the easiest and cheapest swap. If you find a set from a 4 cylinder, they'll probably have 3.54 or 4.10 gears if factory. The CJ WT axles will gain you 3" of width.



An Explorer 8.8 is a good axle, but the wrong bolt pattern with no good option for a matching front lug pattern. You could run wheel adapters, or just different wheels for the front and back. Or go big with a C clip eliminator kit with the correct pattern. For the front, you'd be looking a Scout axle, FSJ NT, maybe a narrowed FSJ WT or GM. You'd end up 8-10" wider than you are now (about stock YJ/TJ width)

F150 8.8s are the right bolt pattern, but are full width (65") so 12-15" wider than stock.



I know nothing about toyota axles.



For your uses, I see no reason not to go with stock CJ axles.

Yeah that’s what I was afraid of lol, I’ll probably just rebuild the AMC20 unless anything else comes up. Hard to find anything from a CJ7 or anything like that, but I’ll keep watching. Thanks!


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[funderburgh22]

and :ww:



Moser 1-piece axles might be the way to go.

What R&P ratio do you have in the axles?

What carrier-LSD, DL or open?



LG

Pretty sure it’s 3.54 and LSD, What all do I need to recover from a welded diff?


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[JeeperChris]

Here's a nice little list I found while googling around for axles:

Common Axle WMS | BentFrame 4X4

 

[Posi]

Welded gears.

Pull the R&P with case and toss it, or sell it to someone to run offroad.

Should be plenty of used inners for a 20.

 

[funderburgh22]

Welded gears.

Pull the R&P with case and toss it, or sell it to someone to run offroad.

Should be plenty of used inners for a 20.

Is it okay to reuse the carrier?


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[RiverandSand]

Is it okay to reuse the carrier?


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I wouldn't, probably was over stressed. Get a replacement carrier for 3.0s and above or a aftermarket one with a locker or lsd. As mentioned above one piece axles and good carrier with 3.5's or above gearing, AMC20 will handle almost all offroading duties without a problem.

 

[Posi]

Is it okay to reuse the carrier?


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You need to open the cover for inspection. Some weld it solid others not so much. Depending on how it’s welded you could reuse the R&P

 

[Posi]

I see carrior being used to identify the case. The case holds the side gears and the carrior holds the case, side gears, and R&P.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

I have a narrow Trac Dana 44 already set up for a CJ7 with open 3.72 gear's

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