225 in a '42 MB, Axle question

Hi,
This is my first post, but I have been here awhile. Without this place my jeep wouldnt be running right now

So I have a 225 in my MB, going to a jeep T-18, going to a D-18 transfer case.
It has the stock axles, both front and rear. (Dana 25 front and Dana 23 rear)

My plans for this jeep are around town cruising,
Some highway travel, just to get to trails.
and some moderate trails, the most extreme being the Rubicon.

I am a pretty mellow driver, and dont push it very hard at all. (My wallet cant handle it haha)

Eventually I am going to put some 2.5" lift rancho springs in (came with the jeep) and coupled with the 1" body lift it has,
should put me pretty high in the air.
I want to counter this goofy look with some bigger tires, im thinking 7.5 x 16 NDTs on cj2 rims.


My question is this:
Am I living on borrowed time with these axles?
Im very worried about breaking the rear axle, and I have read about some essentially bolt on upgrades.
The mid 70-71 cj5 dana 44 30 spline comes to mind, but I dont know if I can find one.
That leaves the pre 70 cj5 dana 44 19 spline.
How strong is the Dana 44 19 spline vs the Dana 23 10 spline?
Is it worth the upgrade?

Thank you!
-Eric

 

How stock is the Jeep and what kinda condition? A 42 MB is worth way more in stock form! If it's already majorly modified I'd say upgrade the axles and sell the stock ones to someone doing a restoration. The price on these military ones are unreal! You can probably sell one in ok shape and buy an alread nicely modified 2A-or 3A early cj5 and be way ahead. Just throwing it out there.


As far as axle strength I run a 225, stock dana 25 and dana44 19 spline in my 3b and have never had any problems running 32x10.5x15 swampers. They are stout little axles for what they are. Good luck.

 

What they said. We put a 153 4 cylinder in Dads 43 GPW and he was constantly fighting axle and spider gear breakage with the 23-2. Mellow driver and was mostly a hunting Jeep. Never had an issue with the 25 front. I'd upgrade the rear if not a restoration.

 

You might want to update your location as you may have a member close by with parts.

 

Ill Update my location, thanks for the tip.

This jeep is pretty modified, With the 225, T-18, 1 inch body lift, power steering, New seats, gas tank in the cargo area, electric pusher fan in front, new rear bumper, and the body is skinned and bondo'd.
That being said... I want to try and keep the original look, Kind of like as close to stock looking as I can get it while still being functional and not costing as much as a restoration.

The only major point of contention with it is I will probably add a rollbar, I really dont like how they look with em, but it would sure make the girlfriend happy.

Thank you for the responses

 

Wow, your girlfriend will ride in your jeep?? mine says its too big, rides too rough and smells like gas. lol

 

yeeup, She wont drive it though..... which is a plus to me

 

Cool another Sacramento area jeeper. Since the rest of the jeep is so modified you might as well look are a suitable replacement for the rear and sell the D23 to a collector. Keep an eye on craigslist, the offset D44 rears come up now and then, usually for a decent price.

 

My wife will ride but only when her subaru is in the shop. The jeep always runs.