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Later Cj5 Axles?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Mr Vaughan, Jan 19, 2021.

  1. Jan 19, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i've been looking a drivetrain swap for the cj5, and i'm wondering: is it worth upgrading to later cj5 axles? i wanna put a smallblock/sm465/np205 in, which needs a centered rear axle. there's a set of axles near me for $200
    Jeep cj5 axles
    are they in decent shape? i figure the dana 30 is enough for a little bit bigger engine, and the rear is right for the transfer case. yes, i have the other parts, and yes, they need work.
     
  2. Jan 19, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    The AMC 20 isn't spoken highly of but you will likely need to buy both to get the front axle. It might be worth a trip to the KC pick n' pull yards.
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  3. Jan 19, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    I think a centered D44 from a 72-80ish? cj5 would be your best bet for a rear axle over an AMC20....
     
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  4. Jan 19, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    A couple of thoughts...depending on what year they came out of, those axles could have some really high gears, and as said above, the AMC 20 isn't highly thought of.
    Also, an NP205 is a BIG transfer case to stuff under a little CJ.
     
  5. Jan 20, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    The amc 20 is stronger than a D44 if you compare ring gear sizes. The weak point is the 2 piece shaft design. You can buy 1 piece shafts for it and have a perfectly capable axle. Have to agree with Doug, the SM465 mated to an NP205 is huge. The stock adapter to mate the two is 6" long IIRC. And the low range ratio of a 205 kinda sucks, its 1.91 or something like that.
     
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  6. Jan 20, 2021
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
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    Another weak point of the AMC 20 is the tubes. They are thinner than on the Dana 44 axle and can bend during heavy off-road use. This can be fixed with a truss.
     
  7. Jan 20, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Bottom line you sink alot of $$ in a 20 until it's a decent axle. Centered flanged 44's from 72-75 or a postal is a much easier swap. That 30 looks like a wide track ?
     
  8. Jan 20, 2021
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    I will agree. The rest of your swap idea is great except the 205. Just a big xcase, plus a long adapter. The 20 does have a strong ring gear, but the tubes are not the greatest. Honestly though, unless you are jumping it, they are more than adequate for most users. Look at the numbers of AMC20 rears still around.
     
  9. Jan 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    okay then, is there another shorter tcase for behind an sm465?
     
  10. Jan 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    this is why i posted here, get some feedback from the intellectuals.
     
  11. Jan 20, 2021
    RATTYFLATTY

    RATTYFLATTY I think you need a little more throttle

    Central MN
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    Not without an aftermarket adapter. I believe the SBC fall into the basket as the Buick 225 meaning bellhousing depth, crank centerline, etc. So in essence all the 2WD Ford T18/19 swap info applies. Which gets you the 1" thick adapter to the Jeep Dana 18/20 family. Stuff is getting hard to find in most areas but it is all factory stuff. I haven't done a SBC setup like this myself.
     
  12. Jan 20, 2021
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    A Dana 20 case will need an adapter behind the sm465 and a new mainshaft. A bell from sbc to sm465 is very easily found for virtually free...any 350 chevy truck with a stick. Dana 20s from any center pumpkin Jeep or Scout.
     
  13. Jan 20, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    I am using a novak adapter (includes mainshaft swap as well for spline count) to mate sm465 to D18/20 in the 58 wagon....the 465 is HUGE and the np205 is even bigger so I am keeping the D18 and offset axle.
     
  14. Jan 20, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Sorry for any repetition.

    You need a transfer case that is passenger drop and will fit in the short and narrow Jeep chassis. This pretty much limits you to the Dana 18, 20 and 300 transfer cases. If you want a truck 4-speed, the T-18 from a Jeep is the only junkyard solution. We had a long thread recently about this.

    You can use the SM465, but you'll need a $500 adapter to one of these transfer cases.

    These swaps have been done a lot, and you'll get plenty of helpful advice here. Very unlikely you will come up with a combination of components that has not been tried, successfully or not.

    If you want newer junkyard axles, a '72-75 CJ is your best donor. Not only does the M20 used '76 up have issues, but it won't fit your frame without moving the spring pads. '72-75 axles will bolt in, but the rear axle has a centered output, ruling out the Dana 18.

    If you want to use a Dana 18, the scarce and coveted '70-71 offset Dana 44 rear axle from a CJ is the best choice. This can be combined with any '72-up CJ or '72-73 Commando Dana 30 front axle. Unlikely the ratios will match, so you will need to regear at least one of the axles.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2021
    Downs likes this.
  15. Jan 20, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Suggest to the mods - this is topical and could be moved to a technical forum.
     
  16. Jan 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i was considering putting it there, but didn't know whether to put it under intermediate or early. early i guess?
     
  17. Jan 20, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

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    I've always liked the D18 arrangement with both outputs low and to the right. It makes piloting them through the rocks a lot easier and minimizes the rear driveshaft angle. And I was really disappointed in 1972 when the D20 hit the market with its 2:1 low range. All points that no doubt have been expressed on this site countless times before. If I were doing this the D18 would stay, along with the offset D44. The latter would get a 30 spline full float conversion (probably not Herm's) and the former a set of TeraLow's. That arrangement can take a little abuse.

    The comments on the 205 are right on the money. It is a beast for a small Jeep. Near indestructible, but a beast. I'm not sure it would clear the right side frame rail and it hangs really low. I have a SM465/203/205 ORD doubled set sitting in the shed awaiting a project. Not a lightweight for sure.
     
  18. Jan 20, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

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    A T221 rockwell fits between the frame of a cj5. It's got to be close to the size of a 205.
     
  19. Jan 20, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    The 205 is based off the Rockwell.
     
  20. Jan 20, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i think ryan (Itlksez) had a T221, he may have something to say here. the 205 would probably fit better in a cj6, more room for stuff.
     
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