D-18 with Centered Diff?

I am looking at replacing the dana 41 in my cj-2a with something a little more substantial. Has anyone ever run a centered differential with the Dana 18? Just wondering how extreme the angle would be and if anyone has experienced vibrations with that setup. I want to keep the narrow track look but really want one piece shafts and the ability to run 33 inch tires with a locker.

 

Find yourself a quadra-trac amc 20, they are cheap, can put one piece shafts in them a little wider than the 41. But you're still running an offset. But I would bet with care the 41 will stand up to that 260. I've owned a 260 Ford or two, good engine but I consider on par powerwise with a Buick V6 and there are some running that setup in their flatty.

 

Well if that’s the case, then why not get some flanged Dana 44 axle shafts from, IIRC, a ’68-71 CJ-5 and buy a Power Lok with 30 splines, since that would match those axle shafts?
Would that combination work?

 

Thanks for the replies, very interesting about the lock right, wasn’t sure the D-44 lock right would fit in the 41 case, I might go that rout with the 19 spline shafts. Should save a few clams by not having to get a ring and pinion set for a new axle. As always the info on this board is great, most ideas have been tried before saving us vintage rust newbies from making the same mistakes. The 19 splines will stand up to 33’s? Being in Florida you could never really say we have rocks, but I do want to take the occasional Tellico trip.

 

I'm new to the Willys world, but the PO of my 2A has run the stock 41 & 25 behind a Ford 302 / T90 / D18 for 30 years with no problems. He was running 32 x 11.5 BFG Mudds in/around the Tahoe CA area.

Come to think of it...he was light on the skinny peddle though.

 

There was a guy in our local club that ran the factory 27/44 in his flatty with Detroit rear/lock rite front on 35" and Buick V6. He did all the hard trails out here with no problem. I think he even still had the 2 piece axles in the 44.
Keith

 

I am over in Dunnellon, about an hour and a half north of Orlando. I am really liking the idea of the 19 spline axles in my housing. Sounds relatively easy to do. Of course all projects sound easy to do for a Jeep. The 4 hour time suggestion for the Rancho lift turned into a 7 hour project. After 60 years bolts just do not want to move! I should have soaked them in penetrant for a few more days

 

Afraid not. There is no powerlock to fit the 41 and the 44 case won't fit in the 41 housing. The stock offset one piece flanged axles won't work in a tapered housing due to housing end differences, bearing differences, etc., etc. If they did I'd be building them and selling them like crazy. Someone, I think maybe Superior, was making aftermarket flanged shafts to fit the tapered housing. Nickmil

 

Thanks Nickmil, I was hope’n someone would have an answer to that.