One piece axles, lockers, gear sets

[Kilo19]

So i have a question with all this lockers, and one piece axles im seeing.

first, Im pretty sure the axles i have are not one piece, so may look at getting a set, but are they nessacary, and what is the difference in the two. I know, read, that one piece is stronger. But technically speaking, what is the difference in the two.

second, on the locker situation, I've read alot on the different kinds out there, but what has been the most easiest to care for, eletronic, air, hydra. Im liking the looks of the detroit e-locker? i think, or the eletronic by detroit, any way, do they hold up well. Also are lockers needed on the front if you have the manual hub lockers?(I guess im saying that right)

Lastly, this is the set up im thinking of going with, any thoughts on it. (if i end up getting lockers, and one piece axles and such)

front Dana 44 , with one piece, 4.10 gearset, "elocker"
rear GM 8.875, with one piece, 4.10 gearset as well, "elocker"
32in tires, thinking bfg, or goodyear's
1" body lift with a 6" suspension lift
no motor yet( but a couple of friends helping me out) either a 308, with a manual, or a 350, auto
and Transfer Case of Dana 300


thoughts or am i way over my head

nothing will be taken as critism, but completly understand this will take time and green paper.

 

[Old Dog]

So i have a question with all this lockers, and one piece axles im seeing.

first, Im pretty sure the axles i have are not one piece, so may look at getting a set, but are they nessacary, and what is the difference in the two. I know, read, that one piece is stronger. But technically speaking, what is the difference in the two.

second, on the locker situation, I've read alot on the different kinds out there, but what has been the most easiest to care for, eletronic, air, hydra. Im liking the looks of the detroit e-locker? i think, or the eletronic by detroit, any way, do they hold up well. Also are lockers needed on the front if you have the manual hub lockers?(I guess im saying that right)

Lastly, this is the set up im thinking of going with, any thoughts on it. (if i end up getting lockers, and one piece axles and such)

front Dana 44 , with one piece, 4.10 gearset, "elocker"
rear GM 8.875, with one piece, 4.10 gearset as well, "elocker"
32in tires, thinking bfg, or goodyear's
1" body lift with a 6" suspension lift
no motor yet( but a couple of friends helping me out) either a 308, with a manual, or a 350, auto
and Transfer Case of Dana 300


thoughts or am i way over my head

nothing will be taken as critism, but completly understand this will take time and green paper.

The only time we talk 1 piece axles is with the AMC20 , so with the axles your talking about running don't worry about it.
Yes the Eaton E-locker is a good locker. (you said Detroit but it's really made by Eaton) and yes you still need one in the front. The lockouts only engage and disengage the axles.
I'm not sure why you would want 7" of lift with only 32's, but it's your jeep.
I vote for the 350 auto, but thats just me.
What/how do you plan to use your cj?

 

[Incommando]

Two piece axles are only in the AMC model 20 from the axles you listed. A two piece axle has a splined shaft that slides in a seperate flange ( the part the lug studs stick out of) instead of the shaft and flange being one solid piece which is the stronger "one piece".

Lock-out hubs disconnect the front axles so that the shafts,diff, and driveshaft do not turn when not in use which causes wear and less mpg. They have nothing to do with lockers which are devices to make sure both wheels on an axle get power. Most axles ony send power to one wheel.

Not sure what a 308 is but the easiest thing to do is to get a matched engine/tranny/Transfer Case . The easiest would be to put in what was there before to avoid customization and the like.

6" of lift is way too much for 32's which is an odd ball size. 33's on 4" is probably an easier combo to go with.

The GM 10 bolt front axle is fine but the rear version is weak.

 

[Kilo19]

thx for the info

don't really know too much about tire size and which is better. But 32/33 i'll go with the 33 and 4" lift, only reason i said that was because thats kinda what ive heard else where.

incommando? what did you mean the rear, the GM 8.875 is actually the rear, and the Dana 44 was on the front. Is the Dana 44 not a good set? This is what the PO had bought, and it sat for a while, and i just broke it down and found out what kind it was.

and the engine... yea i was kinda leaning toward the same as a set that came together...really hoping i can get some of my wifes relatives to get a me a good deal with a 350 set.


old dog,

this was my idea of it. Ive never had an off road anything before...the closest thing was a go cart . with that said, i would like to be able to go and doing a little mudding, (like small creeks, 12" of mud, nothing really any more) if its anymore, i don't belong there, and some rock crawling, best way to describe is big bend type area, (but nothing to heavy on either one), and be able to hope in and go to town with it. I will be making it to use the back jump seat, having a 10 wk old, i'd like to have this jeep around when she gets older and be able to take her out and still be a cool dad .

hope that helps


and thanks for the answers for the lockers and axles...that brings a relief

 

[Incommando]

My mistake. The GM 8.875 is more commonly known as the "12 bolt." It is a fine car rear axle but is not great for off-roading or large tires. While better than the crappy Gm 10bolt (8.5") rear axle both are problematic in that when an axle shaft breaks ( very common on the 10bolt and somewhat common on the 12bolt) the whole wheel assembly comes off of the vehicle. The 10 bolt REAR is probably more common in the later years of GM 1/2 tons than the 12 bolt rear.

Although the 10bolt REAR axle is to be avoided the 10bolt FRONT axle works pretty well and is considered an equal to the Dana 44 front. The 10bolt was used under 1/2 & 3/4 to Chevy's from 1977-up and GMCs from 1978-up. To get a GM axle set with a Dana 44 front it would have to be 77 or earlier. Avoid the pre-74 Dana 44 that used small spindles and had other issues that made them weaker . 1/2 ton has a 6x5.5 bolt pattern while the 3/4 ton used 8x6.5.

You can use a Dana 44 front from under 1/2 or 3/4 ton Dodge from about '74-1993. Avoid the ones the an axle disconnect or the ones without external hubs and the small 5x4.5 bolt pattern versus the 5x5.5 of the 1/2 ton & 8x6.5 of the 3/4 ton. They would be paired with a Dana 44 rear or 9.25 rear in 1/2 ton and a D60 in 3/4 ton for the most part. Dodge's make good donors as people tend to ignore them and they are often cheaper.

You CAN use a pre-78 Ford Dana 44 but unless it is from a 3/4 ton it will need the front suspension modded heavily & you would need to get a matching driver's drop Transfer Case . 1/2 ton is 5x5.5 while 3/4 is 8x6.5. I personally am not a huge 9" Ford fan and that is what the rear axle for these in 1/2 ton while the 3/4 got the D60.

You could also use a '79-older 1/2 ton FSJ Dana 44 /Dana 44 axle set to get pass. drop but avoid the large off-set on the rear diff of QuadraTrac models. 3/4 ton J20 models are great donors in that you get a fairly narrow Dana 44 front/D60 rear axle set. 1/2 ton = 6x5.5 3/4 ton = 8x6.5.

Scout II Dana 44 /Dana 44 sets work well and are 5x5.5 like a CJ. There are caster issues with larger lifts. 5x5.5

Personally if I was going to the trouble of swapping axles the minimum I would go for would be a Dana 44 front with a D60 rear.

32x11.5x15 tires are an unusual size and much harder to come by should you ruin one and need to replace it. Also, many tire brands do not even offer that size. 33x12.5x15's are very common and can be had in dozens of tread designs. The actual height difference between the two is really only .5"

If you go with a modern GM engine/tranny/tcase set most of them ('88-newer) are driver's drop on the transfer. '87-older used a passenger drop like originally came in the CJ. If you change the Transfer Case and front axle you can do anything you want, though.

 

[Kilo19]

Wow that's alot to take in, but thx

Also don't know if it makes a difference but there both 6lug axles?

 

[Incommando]

The GM 1/2 ton 4wd axles are 6x5.5 lug pattern. So are FSJ's.

 

[Kilo19]

So upgrading that rear axle, I would be better off. Going with a d60 would would work with that front Dana 44 ?

Thx for the start for me to look around on what I can look for.

 

[justinfonder]

would a Dana 44 front and 9 1/4" rear from an 87 ramcharger be a good swap? the front originally had the axle disconnect but has been removed and also has manual warn locking hubs. guy is looking for $400 for the set. how much wider are these axles than my CJ5 ?

 

[Kilo19]

so this is a bit of a thread bump, but again, trying to plan, and get everything i need ready.

so, on lockers, i've got a Dana 44 front and gm 12bolt rear, im looking at powertrac (looking, not buying yet), any thoughts on these.

i "think" i would like to have a selectable locker, but would i? or is it just a hassle, or vice versa.

also whats the best way to work on these, im guessing before you put the axles on the the frame, but what if i wanted to wait a year or so to get a locker...would it be too much of a hassle to put one in later, or best to do it now?

thx

 

[Old Dog]

so this is a bit of a thread bump, but again, trying to plan, and get everything i need ready.

so, on lockers, i've got a Dana 44 front and gm 12bolt rear, im looking at powertrac (looking, not buying yet), any thoughts on these.

i "think" i would like to have a selectable locker, but would i? or is it just a hassle, or vice versa.

also whats the best way to work on these, im guessing before you put the axles on the the frame, but what if i wanted to wait a year or so to get a locker...would it be too much of a hassle to put one in later, or best to do it now?

thx

IMO if your going to drive on the street go with the selectable's, if it's off road only than it doesn't matter as much.
Since you have to reset the ring gears when you put the lockers in the best time would be now.
On a bench is a lot better than laying under the jeep trying to take it in and out a few times.
I don't know anything about the powertrac.