short time reader 1st time poster

Hey!
So I have this 73 and I've ben playing with it and I'm trying to decide what to do next. I've rebuilt the 304 so it doesn't mark its territory anymore. The body looks good if you don't know what your looking for, which is why I bought it, closer inspection revealed the body has only two good mounting points the rest are rust and washers. I'm looking to replace the tub when I find the right one with a tailgate.
I have been reading posts and people state what kind of front or rearend they are using and I'm wondering how do I find out what I have and what is the difference between them. My goal is to just drive around topless and have a good time but I will take it with me on camping trips and Moab is just down the highway. I do have a 87 Cherokee sport that I could use as a donor if I needed or wanted to ( blown motor ) The CJ does have bent axle but for the most part it does fine other than it is like driving on ice with the 32x11.5 Its nice not having any smog restrictions just full length headers and magnaflows. Should I fix the one axlerod or look into replacing the whole unit.If I end up replacing the whole unit then nothing on the jeep was worth buying.(oh well I might have some spare change in another pocket)
D

 

Welcome from Boston!

A couple of comments - you put a lot of topics into one post. You'll get a better response if you tackle one problem at a time.

Re the tub - post up some pictures of the damage. The hat channels and floors are easily obtained and you're probably better off fixing what you have.

Not many parts are shared between the XJ and your CJ.

Bent axle? A bent wheel would be more common.

If you don't feel comfortable driving your jeep on the highway, something is wrong. 32s aren't that large a tire, and the tires won't make the handling unstable if they're properly balanced and matched.

Take a look at the spotter's guide http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/general/spottersGuide.shtml re your major components.

 

I appreciate the advice on posting only one problem at a time but I was just sitting here trying to figure out what to do this winter with it.
Maybe I can clarify a couple things and then get to Th problem. I know it’s a bad axle because I rotated the tires and the small axle had the wobble.
The skating down the highway is a bit of a stretch. I can skate around the rink just fine until something gets in my way (people, poles or barriers) same in the jeep ...It drives fine but if I ever had to make sudden evasive move I'd really worry about losing all control and I think it has more to do with the short wheel base the power steering and the extra horsepower in the midrange that would be the problem and I don't think there is any answer to that other than defensive driving.
The tub. hmmmm needs to be replaced...
The real question is the axles...I'm sure that the Cherokee and the CJ are incompatible as far as an easy swap goes...but in my business (remodeling) I can do anything the customer wants it just takes time and money...so my question is it worth it? What would the benefits be and what are the negatives

 

Yeh you can do it but all you would be using from the XJ is the center section since the pumkin is on the wrong side so the tubes would have to be replaced. the Knuckles might work I am not sure about that but then you would have a flanged front axle instead of a lockout setup unless you bought that $800 kit from warn to make the modern unibearing hubs have lockouts. Like I said it can be done but is it worth basicly having to build an axle from scratch when you can look around and I am sure you can find a CJ dana 30 reletivly locally.

 

I would just replace the bad axle shaft if it were me.
No need to swap out the whole unit.

 

X2. Shafts are available from a variety of sources. For the handling problems, check for loose u-bolts, worn spring bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, steering shaft, steering box, frame cracks, loose wheel bearings, etc. Need to check front end and rear suspension for these problems. Also check for out of balance or out of round tires as well. Nickmil.