Rear axle quandry

[JimsCJ5]

This may get confusing...

Our CJ has what I believe to be the AMC20 rear end with 3.54 gears, 11" drum brakes, two-piece axles and no e-brake. The axle seals are leaking horribly.

When I bought the Jeep I also got a rear end which may or may not be an AMC20 with one-piece axles, 2.94 gears, an e-brake, and 10" drum brakes. It has the same dimensions as the other including a big "891 N" cast into it.

What I would like to do is upgrade to the one-piece axles with the 10" brakes to get an e-brake but the axles are set up differently.

Here is the rear end we would like to use with the 3.54 gears


Here is the rear end with the one piece axles

See how they are different? The two-piece axles have the bearing pressed on the axle shaft like so:

The area where the seal rides does not look good either...

Here are the one-piece axles:
They have the tapered bearings and the collar that is pressed on like my Fords.


So what are my options? I should add this is for a stock jeep with 235 tires and a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . They are no plans to go with bigger tires or more motor. I like the idea of the one piece axles but I doubt I need them. My original plan was to swap the entire rear end but then I checked the gear ratios.

 

[JimsCJ5]

Ok. Did some research. It looks like the rear end I can't use has been converted. Can I convert the rear end I want to use with the same parts or would I need to purchase those new somewhere?

 

[JimsCJ5]

Found a bearing repair kit on Morris. I am thinking this is what I need
Bearing Repair Kit (For One Side Only) - 7086K
The axles look like the Crown axles on the Morris site.

 

[Only in a Jeep CJ]

The axle ends DO look the same. What you are seeing as a difference is the race still in the tube end. The stock 2 piece axles have the thick end of the race facing out. This way the slope of the race pushes the bearing and axle shafts inward toward the thrust block in the center of the diff.
The aftermarket one piece axle shafts have the bearings facing the other way (except for one older kit that Ive seen) and the thrust block is either not used or removed if the shaft length dictates it so.
Those kits come in both the narrow track and wide track widths so confirm that both the housings are the same length. IF they are, the parts interchange. Obviously leave the ring and pinions alone as they are set up for each housing.