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Rear axle- CJ5

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by fred, Jan 26, 2010.

  1. fred

    fred Member

    I have a 78 CJ5 with 304/T18/D20.
    I'm planning on a 4.5" lift. Rear axle choices are Wagoneer AMC 20, Ford 9 inch, or Dana 60. The AMC 20 would work, I have the CJ version now with the 4" lift. I'm concerned the 9 inch pinion is too low and would make a ridiculous drive shaft angle at that lift.
    My big question is the Dana 60 (low and high pinion). Does anyone have experience with a CJ5 with this setup?
     
    fred, Jan 26, 2010
    #1
  2. kirk505

    kirk505 Member

    Driveshaft angles are solved with a double cardon shaft and rotating the axle so the pinion inline with the shaft. TOM WOODS DRIVESHAFTS website shows what I am talking about. My CJ 5 is set up this way and works great .
     
    kirk505, Jan 26, 2010
    #2
  3. fred

    fred Member

    I have a cv joint setup now on my AMC20.
    What rear axle do you have?
     
    fred, Jan 26, 2010
    #3
  4. kirk505

    kirk505 Member

    I have the 20 at this time. I have had no problems with it. I do have a 60 that needs to be narrowed in the future, but the 20 is working so it stays until I break it.
     
    kirk505, Jan 26, 2010
    #4
  5. Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Dana 60 seems waaay overkill for a CJ with a 304. Plus you will lose a lot of clearance under the pumpkin with a 60. Ford 9 is a great axle for a CJ though. Or why not just use a CJ 44 that you can just bolt in? If you plan on 400 hp engine for the future the 60 might make sense otherwise it's just extreme overkill. Just my .02
     
    Posimoto, Jan 26, 2010
    #5
  6. Dphillip

    Dphillip Member

    I just installed a Ford 9" in the rear of my CJ and used a Currie High Pinion carrier unit. It moves the pinon up about 3 inches higher that a standard Ford 9" and about 2.5 inches higher than a Dana 44. It was a bit pricey but it's a sweet set up.
     
    Dphillip, Jan 26, 2010
    #6
  7. kirk505

    kirk505 Member



    I got the 60 (custom built by MARK WILLIAMS) with a detroit and moly axles with 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern for $300. The price was right so thats the reason I have one.
     
    kirk505, Jan 26, 2010
    #7
  8. 0IIII0

    0IIII0 Nibblin' on sponge cake..

    Wow, 4.5"? That'll be a huge rig. How about D44? Great offroading axle.
     
    0IIII0, Jan 26, 2010
    #8
  9. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    The Corporate axle from a Wagoneer is a good axle. Unlike the M20 axle from a CJ, the M23 Wagoneer axle has one-piece axles (actually 2-piece that are welded on the back of the hubs) and thicker axle tubes. It would be a fine choice if you want that width, and are ok with a 6 on 5.5" bolt pattern. Too bad they only come in 3.31, 3.07 or 2.73 ratios - not very appealing.
     
    timgr, Jan 26, 2010
    #9