Jeep Axles Spotters Guide

khaiwi · Post by **khaiwi** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 9:27 pm

Identifying axles isn't particularly hard, it's usually a matter of knowing the finer details that make each unique. This article covers most of the popular factory axles offered in Jeep CJ's and Wranglers and a few of the more common non-Jeep axles.

Definitions

Semi-floating - The Jeep's weight rides on the axle shaft, the axle shaft also provides rotational force.

Full-floating - The hub supports the Jeep's weight. The axle provides rotational force only.

2 piece axle - The axle consists of an inner shaft connected to an outer hub. Most commonly held together with a large outer nut. Axle to hub connection is usually though splines and a keyway.

Flanged Axle - The axle and hub assembly are a solid unit.

Pumpkin/chunk - common names to the center section that houses the ring, pinion, and differential components.

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Jeep OEM axles.

AMC 20

Key Identifiers - 12 bolt round cover.

Came in - 76-86 CJ and Scramblers, 79-86 Wagoneer, 80-86 Jeep Trucks

Ring Gear - 8.875"

Good - Larger ring gear than a Dana 44

Bad - Weak two piece axles, small axle tubes prone to flexing.

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.73 to 4.56, 1 piece axle shafts, Warn full floater axle kit.

Dana 30

Key identifiers - 10 bolt cover, most commonly a front axle

Came in - 72-86 Jeep CJ and Scrambler, 87-present Wrangler YJ/TJ/TK.

Ring Gear - 7.2"

Good - Small center giving better ground clearance, readily available parts. Good axle for Jeeps with 33 or smaller tires.

Bad - Small tubes, small axle shafts.

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.72 to 5:38. Larger and stronger axle and U-joints.

Variations - Varying widths, Some reverse cut models, CJ models featured hubs, YJ until 1994 features vacuum actuated axle disconnect, Right and left side off-set, Drum and disc brakes.

Dana 27

Key identifiers - 10 bolt cover, most commonly a front axle

Came in - 66-71 Jeep CJ

Ring Gear - 7.2"

Good - Small center giving better ground clearance

Bad - Closed knuckles, narrow width

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.72 to 5:38.

Dana 25

Key identifiers - 10 bolt cover, most commonly a front axle

Came in - 41-65 Jeep CJ

Ring Gear - 7.2"

Good- Small center giving better ground clearance

Bad - Closed knuckles, narrow width

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.72 to 5:38.

Dana 44

Key identifiers - 10 bolt oblong shaped cover, flanged axles (some earlier used a 2 piece)

Came in - 67-75 Jeep CJ, some 86 CJ, Wrangler TJ/LJ option rear, Wrangler Rubicon TJ/LJ/TK front and rear, Comanche

Ring Gear - 8.5"

Good - 19 and 30 spline axles, large ring & pinion, strong axle tubes. Readily available

Bad - Larger tires 38" and up not recommended.

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.72 to 5:89. Varying widths available. Several aftermarket versions are made especially for the off-roader.

Dana 35

Key identifiers - 10 bolt cover, oval shape, flanged axles

Came in - 87-96 Wrangler YJ, 84-97 Cherokee XJ, 97-up Wrangler TJ/LJ (std), 07-up Wrangler TK (std)

Ring Gear - 7.562

Good - ?

Bad - C-Clip axle shafts

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.72 to 4.46.

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Non Jeep OEM popular axles.

Dana 60

Key identifiers - 12 bolt oblong shaped cover,

Came in - Jeep J10, Some Ford F series, GM, and Dodge trucks

Ring Gear - 9.75"

Good - Larger version of the Dana 44. Large ring gear and axle shafts. Strong axle tubes.

Bad - Heavy, Thick center section reduces ground clearance.

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.72 to 7.17. Full-floating and semi-floating versions. Several aftermarket versions are made especially for the off-roader. Forward and reverse rotations.

Ford 8.8 (Aftermarket)

Key identifiers - Semi square shaped cover with 10 bolts.

Came in - 81-94 Ford Bronco, 90-96 Ford Explorers and Ranger, Ford F150 light trucks.

Ring Gear - 8.8"

Good - Strong axle with similar axle width to a Wrangler, readily available.

Bad -

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 3.08 to 5.14.

Ford 9 inch (Aftermarket)

Key identifiers - No rear cover, center section is a 3rd member.

Came in - 66-88 Ford Bronco, 55-87 Ford F series trucks

Ring Gear - 9"

Good - 3rd member design allowing quick changing of ratios (with pre-set up 3rd members)

Bad - No longer in OEM production but still readily available

Options - Most lockers and limited slips available, gearing from 2.80 to 6.50. Several aftermarket versions are made especially for the off-roader.

MegaMoe · Post by **MegaMoe** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:34 pm

thx for the info again, i wish i can put dana 60 front and rear

iguana · Post by **iguana** » Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:16 pm

Khaiwi, as you know, most of us Jeepers now have a problem of bent front axels. Can we fix this? what are the disadvantages of having a bent axel?

konradh · Post by **konradh** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:03 am

iguana wrote:what are the disadvantages of having a bent axel?

8O 8O 8O 8O

see Patrols never get bent axles easily. 8)

PATROL POWER!