79 cherokee axles

local guy is parting out a 79 cherokee. I can get the Axles (both D44's) and driveshafts for 250$. gonna try and squeeze the wheels into the deal as well since i'll need 6-bolt wheels. Is this gonna be a relatively straightforward swap into a flattie? I did a search and saw that a few people have talked about it, just not a lot of detail on results. I know the diff pumpkins are in the right place for my t-case (d18 ).
what kinda stance can i expect? are they a ton wider than stock?
can anyone share any insight or comments on the swap or these axles?

 

If its a Cherokee Chief it will be a wide track axle and a regular Cherokee will be narrow track. I plan to swap the narrows in to the 3b later.
Either way you will need to outboard the springs on the frame to get the front axle in your flatty and the rear is just weld on new spring perches.
You may want to switch over to YJ springs at this time.

Almost forgot, some of the 79 fronts have the knuckles already set up for high steer so check.

 

I found a chief for $100 complete, not in bad shape either but i was gonna use the axles for my cj how much will this make the tires stick out? its not gonna be like a chevy axle is it? i did a lot of searches and found basically all the info i was looking for i just had this question after i read the thread. Also is there a way do swap in the front w/o outboarding the springs?

 

i just called the guy... he's going to include the wheels with the axles and driveshafts for 250$. they are the original wheels he thinks. He wasnt sure if the axles were widetrack or not but i don't care... i'm taking them either way. i asked him to make sure he leaves all the steering linkages on there as well. going to pick them up next weekend

Winter project!! I guess i'll finally be doing that saginaw swap this winter too

 

Hey Danstew can you send me some more pics of you jeep and how you did the front swap/outboard springs? what springs did you run with your spring over? looks good!! what size tires?

 

Heres mine with the full width Cherokee Chief D44s.

 

Check out my pics in my sig or my build post. I swapped a Waggy front and Scout rear under my 2A. Outboarded the front springs, swapped to YJ springs all around and stretched teh wheelbase a bit. It is still being built but you can get some ideas on the spring mounts and overall width, etc..

 

thanks a lot guys!!!

 

Other than the street-legal issues, the main problem with Wagoneer (or Cherokee) axles is the the gear ratios. Very few of these vehicles were delivered with anything better (numerically larger) than 3.54 axles. After 1980, the best offered was 3.31 (towing package), and many were delivered with 2.73s.

 

so what do you reckon it would be for a 1979?

 

Most likely 3.07s or 3.54s.

 

:iagree: Mine had 3.07 in it. 2 other sets Ive taken apart also had the same ratio in them.

 

i think that'll be ok for what i need

 

I hope you have more powertrain plans than I know about if you think 3.54 gears would be ok. Come on. Spill the beans.

 

got a lead on a local running Buick 225 out of a '67... runs great and its about 10 mins from my place. the guy is gonna call me back after his honeymoon and i'll be taking it off his hands. i'll probably hop it up with some edelbrock goodies and hook it up to a TH350.
If that deal falls through, i'm just gonna shoehorn a chevy small block in there. Go big or go home i guess R)

 

Poor little L Head
Donnie