probably a crazy question

i got a dana 18 with a offset axle .i was thinkin i would put a center axle in this jeep and hook it up that way any ideas ?

 

in a cj5 your driveshaft is to short and would be on a weird angle and would bind up. if you want a center rear end you should switch to a dana 20 t case

 

Is there a reason why??

They tend to vibrate when you do this!

 

Prob cause more axle choices.....

 

well heres the deal i got my dana 18 guts in a dana case and this is all behind a t14 tranny i would like to have more axles options and i was just goin to take the warn od out and put a tail shaft on it but i was told you cant do that and have offset rear out put too i just got the t case done and really dont wanna buy another one

 

If your not gonna go really hardcore the factory dana 44 with tapered hubs is fine. You can put a power lock, Aussie or lock rite in there also. It would really help to tell us what you really want to do with your jeep. There are plenty of guys on here still running factory 44's that wheel there jeeps pretty hard.

 

Or you can change axles for more choices. I've got the offset 44, ff setup, and a 30 spline Detroit Locker.

 

If you want to go to a centered axle, you can replace the Dana 18 transfer case with a Dana 20. The D20 is plentiful and inexpensive. The Dana 20 is quieter and more durable than the D18, but the low range gear ratio is inferior to the D18 (2.03 vs. 2.42, D20 vs. D18, resp). You can convert the D20 to 2.42:1 or 3.0:1, but you'll need some expensive replacement gears.

The centered output will also make your driveshaft angle a little worse, because the centered output of the D20 is higher than the offset output of the D18.

AS covered above, you can't mix the centered axle with the offset transfer case, or vice-versa. The driveshaft angle will be too much.

 

well i would like to put a set of full width axles under the jeep the only axles i can put under the jeep with the d18 is waggie axle . not lookin to beat the hell out of the jeep just lookin to make it feel more firm on the road and not so tipsy

 

Can I throw out my own crazy question out there for ya? You say your JEEP iS tipsy could it be your suspension is shot? I have stock set up minus con fer shackles and 33's and it feels fine, maybe i'm used to it. I do have 1 1/2 spacers on it now and they did help some. Just a thought!

 

Yes, what have you done to the Jeep to make it less tipsy? Anything? What condition is the suspension in now? Are you confusing body roll with slop/wear in the suspension and steering?

Unless your Jeep was owned by an enthusiast, you can bet that everything that wears is worn out. There are a lot of moving parts in the steering and suspension, and neglect of all this stuff by the PO is the usual case. Typically you won't get a lot of body roll (even with worn-out springs, I presume), because these Jeeps are so stiffly sprung.

 

i pretty sure the springs are stock so im sure the spring are worn out but i still would like to to put full width under it

 

You could maybe use the rear axle from a '73-79 Quadratrac Wagoneer - that's offset. I'd be sure and measure to see if I could center the axle between the frame rails without the pumpkin interfering with the frame, but I presume you can.

 

This is fine so long as you realize there are some quirks that come with it and plenty of work.
To put wider axles you will have the problems you have now but you will also have to outboard your springs, which curtails building mounts and welding them to your frame. Stock brake lines will no longer work, factory ross will be gone immediately, probably change driveshafts. Most states demand that the tires be coverd and full width axles are gonna stick at least 4" per side out of the fenders. If you get flexxed up they will hit the sheetmetal unless trimmed or you have a major lift. Stock size tires would just look goofy with full width axles. Shock mounts and spring plates will more than likely have to be changed.

A good 2"-3" lift with decent shocks and slightly bigger tires will make the jeep feel less tipsy.

Another question is this your first older jeep?
Also this may sound sily but how old are you? The reason I ask is that often times young guys start viewing pirate and such and think they just have to have this and that to drive it decently.
Well my jeep has power saginaw, disk brakes up front with a 2 1/2" rancho lift, its not tipsy and I can drive on the interstate at 70-72 mph fine.

 

I still have the stock Ross, F-head, 30 inch, and she goes down the highway 55 -60mph fine. (had it once to 63 with a tailwind) not tipsy at all.

 

I run a D20 with an offset rear. The angle isn't that bad. D18 with a centered rear might be more of a problem though.

 

Take a look at spidertrax, they have a nice set of offset rims that will gain you nearly 4" of width at the axles and they are relatively inexpensive, obviously that's just a band aid but if you are jut looking to get wider, it's a simple solution.


BUBBA

 

I'm not going to insist that it can't be done ... but conventional wisdom says that the compound angle plus the short driveshaft will destroy your u-joints quickly, compared to their expected life.

Measure the length and calculate the angle, then decide if you want to attempt it. Tom Woods gives some info about what angle a conventional u-joint can tolerate. I expect you could get some expensive high-angle parts and make it work, but is it worth it?

 

Per Mike's comment, it's my impression that most people's complaints about these Jeeps being unstable on the road comes from bad suspension components or improper setup, not from some inherent built-in tippyness. Remember that these cars had to be driveable on the highways of the day, and you should be able to get back to factory stability and driveability with some parts replacement and maintenance.

The most common complaint seems to be that someone added lift, which clobbers the caster angle. Many, many owners have been surprised and pleased with the improvement in highway stability that the right caster angle makes.

 

hey everyone i just wanted to say thanks for the info there is a lot to think about i might run offset wheels and a new lift and leave the stock dana 44 in the jeep one question i need a locker for front dana 27 and one for dana44 any idea im goin to ride the jeep down the highway so no spools dont really want air locker do they make any that just bolts in and not have to change the shaft i dont kno the shaft spline count