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Waggy one-piece axle shafts in CJ AMC 20

Waggy one-piece axle shafts in CJ AMC 20

Bent

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Location
Olympic Peninsula
Vehicle(s)
1982 CJ5, 1978 258, T177, Dana 300, AMC 20, Dana 30
I've always rejected the idea of having FSJ AMC20 one-piece axles cut and resplined for the CJ AMC20 housing because of the 6X5.5 bolt pattern.
Then I read this write up about the Dana 30 /44 hybrid. BillaVista.com-Dana 30-Dana 44 Hybrid Front Axle Tech Article by BillaVista
I like the idea of using Dana 44 knuckles/spindles/hubs/rotors on the Dana 30 axle housing with Dana 44 axle shafts necked down to Dana 30 size and spline. This lets you run the larger Dana 44 u joints on the axles.
So, if you had a set of Wagoneer axles you could change the front bolt pattern on the CJ to 6 lug also by using the Wagoneer knuckles and hubs.
So why not get a set of 11 inch brake backing plates off a late 1970s CJ and use the waggy 11 inch rear drums? I believe the waggys used Timken type bearings but, are they the same as the Timken bearings used on CJ conversion shafts?
From the little research I've done, it looks like the right axle shaft on the Wagoneer narrow track AMC20 is the same length as the right side of the CJ narrow track. So that's only three axles that need to be cut. The shop that did my driveline work quoted me $70 for cut and respline. So for $210, plus the cost of the Wagoneer axles, plus the cost of 11inch brake backing plates, you could have: One piece shafts, bigger brakes front and rear, larger front u joints, and better locking hubs in front.
I need to upgrade rims and tires soon anyhow. Is this possible?
 
Am I missing something here?

Why not just keep the Waggy axles front and rear?

You still have Dana 30 strength at the splines and diff.

What's all this talk about drums? As long as you're in there use the stock Waggy discs?

F150 hubs fit and are 5x5.5.
 
Am I missing something here?

Why not just keep the Waggy axles front and rear?

You still have Dana 30 strength at the splines and diff.

What's all this talk about drums? As long as you're in there use the stock Waggy discs?

F150 hubs fit and are 5x5.5.
Waggy rear axles don't have the 1.5 inch off set to the drivers side like the CJ engine/Transmission /Transfer Case /pinion. Waggy drive train is centered. I don't want the added track width of the wagoner front Dana 44 . The weakest link in the Dana 30 is the ujoints. Ring an pinion are fine until you go over 31" tires. The stock Dana 30 ujoints are poor for any tire size.
I've never seen a wagoner with disks.
F150 or bronco hubs uld keep the 5X5.5 lug pattern.
You would probably need to get the waggy axles for free to come out ahead. For the price I've seen wagoner axles for sale, you could get a kit from Moser and have heat treated splines and then go with bronco 44 knuckles.
I've seen the Dana 30 conversion shafts that allow you to run larger u joints but, they're expensive. I want to upgrade my 5 bolt locking hubs anyhow. The 30/44 hybrid would allow me to do both upgrades for less $.
 
The drums I was referring to is the rear. I haven't seen a wagoner with rear discs.
 
Waggy rear axles don't have the 1.5 inch off set to the drivers side like the CJ engine/Transmission /Transfer Case /pinion. Waggy drive train is centered. I don't want the added track width of the wagoner front Dana 44 . The weakest link in the Dana 30 is the ujoints. Ring an pinion are fine until you go over 31" tires. The stock Dana 30 ujoints are poor for any tire size.
I've never seen a wagoner with disks.
F150 or bronco hubs uld keep the 5X5.5 lug pattern.
You would probably need to get the waggy axles for free to come out ahead. For the price I've seen wagoner axles for sale, you could get a kit from Moser and have heat treated splines and then go with bronco 44 knuckles.
I've seen the Dana 30 conversion shafts that allow you to run larger u joints but, they're expensive. I want to upgrade my 5 bolt locking hubs anyhow. The 30/44 hybrid would allow me to do both upgrades for less $.

So narrow the Waggy in the rear to get the offset One axle to resplined.

Narrow the front and respline one side. Keep the front discs.

Look for a whole truck on Craig's list they are out there cheap.

Junkyard axles run $200-300 a set around here.

Which of your CJs are talking of?
 

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