rethinking full width axles, any options?

2616 Views 13 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Dirty Dog, Dec 6, 2005

muddy

Discussion Starter · Dec 5, 2005

origionally my long term plan for my jeep was to swap in full width D-60's, but I took the jeep wheeling this weekend (for the first time) , and some of the trails that I was on were pretty tight, and I'm thinking that with full width axles, it would sugnificantly(sp) cut down on the number of trais that I'd be able to fit on. so my questions are this,
1: how well will the stock axles (D30front, and D35 rear) hold up to my 33x12.50 tires?
2: are there any options to make the stock axles stronger?
3: what axles can be swapped in that are close to the same width as the stock ones?

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Slade

· #2 · Dec 5, 2005

1. 33x12.50's is about the limit for the Dana 35 and you may still snap a shaft on the trails, depends on your driving style.

2. Yes, look into Superior Axle, they have stronger shafts and kits such as the Super35 which upgrades the splines, shafts, and comes with either a Detroit locker or ARB. You can find Superior shafts and kits about any where Jeep parts are sold.

3. Chrysler 8.25, Ford 8.8, I believe the Dana 44's outa the J10's are within a few inches of stock width and I believe that in the mid 80's the fullsize Wagoneers had a drivers side drop for the front Dana 44. I'm sure there are more options but thats all I have off the top of my head.

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rgunn1

· #3 · Dec 5, 2005

Fawk it go full width and just cover your jeep with vaseline... make it fit :shoot:

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Aziraphale

· #4 · Dec 5, 2005

On 2005-12-05 09:19, XJ/YJSlade wrote:

1. 33x12.50's is about the limit for the Dana 35 and you may still snap a shaft on the trails, depends on your driving style.

2. Yes, look into Superior Axle, they have stronger shafts and kits such as the Super35 which upgrades the splines, shafts, and comes with either a Detroit locker or ARB. You can find Superior shafts and kits about any where Jeep parts are sold.

3. Chrysler 8.25, Ford 8.8, I believe the Dana 44's outa the J10's are within a few inches of stock width and I believe that in the mid 80's the fullsize Wagoneers had a drivers side drop for the front Dana 44. I'm sure there are more options but thats all I have off the top of my head.

I'll second just about everthing there.

The D30 should be ok but your 35 will be the weak point. Your best swap is a Ford 8.8 out of a 97ish explorer. They are something like 1.5" shorter (so 3/4 on each side ... essentially the same), come with rear disc's and are very strong.

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TrojanYJ

· #5 · Dec 5, 2005

Slade's right, 33"s are about the limit for the D35. The D30 should be ok (within reason) up to 35"s, though.

So, I'm a$$uming from your picture you have a YJ. Actually, I have no idea, so I'm just a$$uming. One of the easiest things you can do to get your D30 stronger is to swap a TJ passenger axel shaft in there. It's solid instead of having that segmented/collar design. That's a serious weak-point in the YJ version of that axel.

As far as beefing up the D35: DON'T. That's possibly the most retarded thing I think anyone not running stock could do. If you have to put more than $100 into that thing to 'beef it up', you're wasting perfectly good money that could score you a...

-Chrysler 8.25 (which will also have the same lug pattern as the D30, so you don't have to carry two spares)

-D44 out of a Scout or J10 (will have different lug pattern and, for 33"s, I think it's overkill)

-Ford 8.8 (again, overkill, and I don't think it has the same lug pattern)

-a TinkerToy Made axel (this is an axel made out of wooden Tinker Toy parts; yes, it's stronger than a D35; yes, sarcasm is a fun literary device)

Really, if you're concerned about TRAILS and you want to go fullwidth, most people who make that move are rock enthusiasts, not trail dogs. Not to say one is better than the other (I enjoy both) but if you're mainly running trails, why bother with fullwidth? It would be better, but I might question your benefit:hassle ratio.

Ok, that's all.

Bunnies,

--Hardy

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muddy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 5, 2005

yep, it's a YJ. it's a 93, with 4.0, and 5spd. it already had the lift and tires on it when I bought it, but I like the way it sits, so I probably won't go any bigger with the tires. basically, in the time that I've had it, I've just been getting it more driveable. I did drive it home, but it had a lot of leaky seals that I have sense replaced. I've also replaced all of the fluids, fixed most of the nonworking guages(still trying to figue out why it's not warming up over 130*), and making lots of plans for it.

I went to badlands off road park http://www.badlandsoffroad.com/
over the weekend, but sense it was the first time out with the jeep, I took it pretty easy. I was actuailly impressed how well the jeep did, even with open difs, and stock gears.

anyway, back to axles, did any of the chrysler 8.25's come with LSD's, and are lockers available for them? are they high or low pinion? what are they found in?

also, what about axles from the newer rubicons? there are several large salvage yards in the area, and although it might be a slim chance, there is a chance that I might be able to find a set of those, how would those hold up to 33's

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TrojanYJ

· #7 · Dec 5, 2005

The 8.25s came out of late model ('96+) Cherokees. Mine has an EZ locker in it and I am sure there are more available. With the commonplaceness of Cherokees, I would think this would be the easiest swap.

From what I've read, the D44's in the Rubicon's aren't worth it. Something about it being more akin to a D35 than a 44. I have no technical explination or experience with those, so treat that as hearsay.

--Hardy

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Aziraphale

· #8 · Dec 6, 2005

On 2005-12-05 10:10, TrojanYJ wrote:

-Ford 8.8 (again, overkill, and I don't think it has the same lug pattern)

It has the same lug pattern ... that's why they're a REALLY popular swap and are stronger than a D44 in most cases.

Either way if you aren't stupid on the skinny pedal you should just be fine with what you've got. JeepFlexitude is running 35's and a locker on his D35 and hasn't trashed it yet. Not that it's recommended but it's an example.

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Dirty Dog

· #9 · Dec 6, 2005

You will still fit with full width axles. I ran a bunch of the trails at Badlands during 4 Wheeler Mags RTCC in an extended cab Dodge Ram. The Jeeps in the competition were mostly running full width axles. If they can fit, and if my Ram can fit, your YJ will have no problem.

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Aziraphale

· #10 · Dec 6, 2005

Are you talking about the Badlands in IN?? Cause I've run those trails and I gotta tell you, it gets tight. Fullsize rigs would not do well in a lot of places there.

Granted, full width axles on a jeep might not be too bad tho, so I do agree there.

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TrojanYJ

· #11 · Dec 6, 2005

On 2005-12-05 18:47, Aziraphale wrote:

It has the same lug pattern ...

I stand corrected. That's why I put the disclaimer 'think' before it. :bigthumb:

Rawr,

--Hardy

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muddy

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 6, 2005

well, yes, I was at the badlands in IN(actuailly, it's only about 15 minutes from my house, and is most likely where I'll end up wheeling the most)
I'd have to agree, a couple of the trails that we were on were pretty tight, granted, there were places that full widths would have helped straddle some big holes, but in other places, there is no way full widths would have fit through.

I guess I'll just keep my eyes open and see what I can find.

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Slade

· #13 · Dec 6, 2005

How do the 66-77 model bronco axles measure up and compare? They had 44's in them, but how wide are they?
They may be worth considering or atleast checking into.:dunno:

Or look into Dana 44's outa the Wagoneers. You would gain the strength you need plus a little bit of width but not much.

I don't think an 8.8 or dana 44s are over kill. If you are interested in doin an axle swap it would be better to make a swap that you wont have to change anytime soon.

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Dirty Dog

· #14 · Dec 6, 2005

Yes, RTCC was at Badlands outside Attica IN. And half of the 20 trucks were full sized. One (big green Ford) had quite a bit of body damage, but the other 9 full sizes had little or no body damage. I have taken my Ram over many trails that Jeep clubs a$$ured me were impassable in a full sized rig, and it's still straight enough to be a daily driver.
Again, your Jeep will fit just fine with full width axles. The second place finisher at RTCC was a TJ with one of the widest trackwidths I've ever seen on a Jeep. No problem. If you can't make it through at Bandlands, it's not because your axles are too wide.

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