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Full Width Axle Swap

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Garrett Gilbert, Jan 17, 2017.

  1. Jan 17, 2017
    Garrett Gilbert

    Garrett Gilbert New Member

    West Texas
    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Messages:
    6
    I have the body off my 71' Cj5, and am in the process of bed lining it, I'm wanting to do a full width axle swap. (I have a set of full width axles sitting around)
    I know I am going to have to move the spring hangers to the outside of the frame, but was wondering if anyone has any pictures of their Early CJ with a full width conversion spring hangers/brackets.
    I have found a full width conversion kit for later model CJs but not for an early model.
     
  2. Jan 17, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2006
    Messages:
    2,871
    This is one of those moments when you have to ask yourself what you actually want to be able to do with the Jeep when done. Full width axles are 18" wider then stock axles. Totally illegal to drive in almost every state. I have never seen anyone pull off putting full width axles under a short Jeep and come up with a driveable useful rig. It is your Jeep so you can do whatever you want to do with it. I make a lot of money buying aborted projects that were never thought out and given up on once the owner realizes that they simply have an unusable pile of parts.
     
    Last edited: May 1, 2017
    Jrobz23, cadwelder, gunner and 3 others like this.
  3. Jan 18, 2017
    Garrett Gilbert

    Garrett Gilbert New Member

    West Texas
    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Messages:
    6
    Luckly in the great state of Texas, we are a not a state that requires the tires to be covered unless the vehicle width is over 80" (unlike WA as you should know). If done properly you can drive it where ever you want, wether that be to the grocery store or up a wall, I've thought this through and know the cost. I daily an 02 TJ that has a 6" long arm lift with 35", about to move up to 37" tires. I know its not going to drive like a little ole Jeep.
    Just seeing if anyone on here has done the swap and if so if they had any pictures of how they made the brackets to outboard the leaf springs.
     
  4. Jan 18, 2017
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    Again, the tires will stick waay out on a skinny old Jeep. If you wheel open land then it's cool, but wheeling our thick woods, the narrower the better to sneak between the trees. We've had full width axled vehicles have to turn back or go around. Same reason a Hummvee is junk in the woods...too wide. Good luck with the project either way it goes.
     
  5. Jan 18, 2017
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    Garrett.........Things to think about before you slide those wide axles under that CJ maybe the need to first increase the wheel base and also what type of suspension best suits your frame and the axle set you have...............try this link: Google
     
  6. Jan 23, 2017
    waynaferd

    waynaferd Hey, ya'll watch this!!

    That's Bangor,...
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2010
    Messages:
    224
    Honestly I'd find a cheap yj with a stronger boxed frame, more wheel base, and more room for more power under the hood....plus a center output on the t case

    I had a complete drivetrain out of a ramcharger with 4.11s and LS in both ends and complete rebuilt 318 727 and 208, but ultimately decided an old Willys wasn't the foundation

    So I sold the axles and am putting the powertrain into a 77 cj7 eventually

    The 55 has 71 running gear now, just like it was meant to be
     
  7. Jan 23, 2017
    shaun

    shaun Member

    Lebanon, Ohio
    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2015
    Messages:
    390
    There's a lot out there. I see them on Instagram all the time 3b with full width 44s. Looks sweet. Might check them out and the LSX willys has full width too I believe and he's always answering questions I ask.
     
  8. Jan 25, 2017
    Willys43

    Willys43 Member

    Kansa City
    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2016
    Messages:
    52
    Garrett, what are the old axles, I might be interested?
    Craig
     
  9. Feb 12, 2017
    Garrett Gilbert

    Garrett Gilbert New Member

    West Texas
    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Messages:
    6
    the front axle is a closed knuckle d27 and the rear is an offset d44
     
  10. Feb 12, 2017
    Garrett Gilbert

    Garrett Gilbert New Member

    West Texas
    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2015
    Messages:
    6
    I am switching over to 2.5" spring perches and will be using YJ springs in the front and Dakota springs in the rear to stretch the rear a bit
     
  11. May 1, 2017
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    GM, Ford, and Dodge axles are in the neighborhood of 65" wide. Original poster didn't say what the axles are out of. Full width usually indicates one of the big 3 axles. Wagoneer's et.al. are actually kind of an intermediate width although few call them that.
    More info from the original poster about what axles he has would be in order to give any accurate advice.
     
    Trailbst likes this.
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