1976 CJ5 Axle Swap Info AMC 20 to Dana 44

1976 CJ5
258 w/Motorcraft 2100
T18 Trans w/Dana20 Transfer
Location: Lawton/Ft. Sill, OK
719-466-3738

Long story short?  I had my AMC20 rebuilt with one-piece shafts 15 months ago, the right wheel seal and bearing went out and it was rebuild 3 months later.  1100 miles later the left bearing went out and the axle slid out of the housing.  I'm guessing the housing is bent and overstressing the bearings.  

Solution: Replace with a Dana44.  I got a Dana44 from a guy in Dallas, he said it was out of a '75 CJ5.  According to what I have read, the 73-75 Dana44 out of the CJ were center diff.  This axle is offset right, which would indicate a Pre-73.  Will this offset work with my Dana20 (center yoke) transfer?

Now I think think I may have snapped my front ring as my driveshaft is spinning but the Jeep isn't moving.  I have to diagnose that this week.  

New Soloution: have a line on a '79 rolling frame with front and rear Dana44 out of a '87 Commanche (guy said it's offset).  Can pick these up for less than it would cost to rebuild the Dana30.  Will these axles work with my current transfer case?

What would you do, and what should I do?  Anyone in the Lawton/Ft. Sill area that wants to take a look can give me a call.

Mark  

Does your T18 have the granny lo first gear? If it does that's a great tranny and worth some good coin.

The CJs that had a Dana 18 t-case used the offset rear diff. No CJ after '71 used either the Dana 18 or an offset rear.

But, a Dana 18 to match the offset D44 might not be a bad upgrade, replacing your Dana 20. The offset diff won't work very well with your Dana 20. Don't let people tell you it would be fine. The Dana 18 is a little noisier gear wise, but just as strong as the Dana 20. The upgrade would be the 2.46:1 lo gear over the Dana 20's 2.0:1 lo gear. That would be even more true if your T18 is the close ratio, non-granny lo first. Also, it gives you a clear line with both front and rear diffs inline when it comes to avoiding trail obstacles.

There could be a lot of reasons your front doesn't work. A broken hub or broken axle shaft would have the same sympton.

The Commanche stuff is not nearly as interesting. The front would not be a Dana 44 if it's stock and the axles would be about 61" wide and the '76 CJ's are about 53" wide. So your tires would stick out a ways under your CJ.  

Thanks for the insite.  The T18 is the four-speed with granny lo, almost always start out in second.  I am going to look into the Dana 18 and see if there is a possibility of picking one up.  

Any other ideas, options are appreciated.