Newbie Front Axle question

sarge · 09-26-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjjeepjeep

Guess I need to chime in, since I'm the one that drives it daily. ;) And has the offroad addiction.

Crap, I think I just said it's my fault....:(

DD and work is 20 miles one way, half of it highway. But you're right, Sarge (you can quote me that I said that too ;) ). It's fun to drive and can't imagine driving anything else. (Ain't nothing better than driving with the windows out when it's raining, the looks people give you are priceless.)

The draw of a trail rig is just that. I break it, and I'm not pushed to fix it while wondering about how I'm getting to work each day. Other thing to toss into the discussion is, for arguments sake, lets say we pay labor for anything that breaks (ok maybe not everything but humor me). Would that change the wheel the DD idea for anyone? Downside is that I'd need a truck to get it to the trail.

Ya'll have the experience and have lived these decisions. So bring on the feedback.

I could flat out not afford to take my Heep across the street if I had to pay for repairs !!!! with that being said I would then find a cheap DD like an old XJ or rice burner with 1/2 a million miles on it and use it only for a back up DD. I sometime take it for granted that I can do all of my own repairs and have a pile of spare junk stashed around the garage.

jeepmanjeff · 09-26-2007, 03:13 PM

Wow lots of great information given out!

My Jeep was a stocker at first. I wheeled it about 2 mopnths and got a locker for the rear. You would be amazed where this alone can get you through. I then put a EZ locker up front Stage 1 and wheeled it till I did my Scout Dana 44 swap on 35's Stage 2. My next step was 3/4 chevy 44 with Corporate 14 bolt in the rear. Both Locked and loaded with 35's.Stage 3 Then I went full bore with the current setup of 60 up front and 14 bolt rear on 40" total rig rebuild. Stage 4

First Stage was about $2500 ( sold for $1800)
Second stage $1500 (sold for $2500)
Third stage $2000 (sold for $2000)
4th stage $6500 (current setup)
total $11500-$7500 for a difference of $4000 spent over 10 years or so

All these stages incorporated tires, rims gears and lockers for the most part.

Point is, I have been here and done that! My opinion is Build it once and only once but after some experience wheelin it while.

Or do what sarge said and not have all the other expenses in between like I did.

Looking back on it though...it did teach me a lot of the skills I posses today in doing all those different swaps and buildups

kyrel69 · 09-26-2007, 03:44 PM

I do not think it is a good idea to pay someone to work on your jeep if you are going to wheel it hard.

Reason why is that you do not know how it was built. You most likely not know how to fixed it if it brakes out on the trail. That means someone else is going to have to fix it for you so you can get home. I know there are a few people that have rigs built for them b/c of not haveing time to build it them selfs but for a new wheeler they should try to do there mods or get a buddy to help.(there are lots of people on here that would help out just for a cold drink and a smile)

As for what and how to build you jeep. I would go with sarge and jet. Put a bigger rear axle(8.8, 9in :( dana 44) and with the lift and tires you have you will be able to go a lot of places. Add lockers and 34-36in tires and you will be able to go most places.

Stang849 · 09-26-2007, 04:32 PM

Thanks guys for all the great information. Now Lisa and I need to decide what route we want to go. One good thing is I have done quite a bit of mechanic work on other cars just not the jeep, so I might be asking questions if i do work on it when it breaks.

JET455 · 09-26-2007, 04:37 PM

Don't touch the TJ I found you 2 a new rig on craigslist.......

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/car/432814845.html

It looks like the bastard child of the Truggy!

tjjeepjeep · 09-26-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET455

Don't touch the TJ I found you 2 a new rig on craigslist.......

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/car/432814845.html

It looks like the bastard child of the Truggy!

That's durn scary... I was toying with this one, personally. But think I'm leaning more towards keeping mine.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/car/414150320.html

JET455 · 09-26-2007, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjjeepjeep

That's durn scary... I was toying with this one, personally. But think I'm leaning more towards keeping mine.

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/car/414150320.html

Well stay away from that one I know it and not worth it at all!! 4 banger, sits to high, unstable.

carwash · 09-26-2007, 04:45 PM

the first one is nice, minus the body...

jfiscus · 09-26-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET455

Don't touch the TJ I found you 2 a new rig on craigslist.......

http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/car/432814845.html

It looks like the bastard child of the Truggy!

I have never seen anything uglier, even at Haspin!

scotty85 · 10-08-2007, 08:50 AM

i started wheelin an amc eagle with no low range and street tires. i quickly learned the value of having a low range and mananged to swap out the single speed full time transfer case with something better,and then quickly found the limits of 225/75 street tires with open diffs

i cut the fenders,welded the rear,and added some 31" mud kings and it actually did pretty well. i had alot of fun,and learned how to drive.

that rig also taught me very well to be prepared ;) with IFS and 2 piece rear axles,there were not many times that i drove it to the trails and back without some sort of trail or roadside repair along the way. wether your taking your DD or a dedicated trail rig,and wether your taking it on a trailer,a towbar,or sitting behind the wheel a big part of having fun on the trails is having plenty of tools and spare parts,fluids,etc. so you have some peace of mind and can enjoy the scenery.

i got an 85 grand wagoneer that was supposed to be for parts for eagle solid axle swap. instead i started wheelin the GW. i paid $60 for my first set of 38s and fit them with a 3" body lift and a sawzall

i was amazed at the places i could go on bald 38" gumbos with 8-10 psi in each tire. went many places the eagle wouldnt,even with 2 open diffs.

i drove this rig to the trails alot in the early days and experienced everything everyone has mentioned- 25 mph with shaking tires,broken u joints,fluid changes,etc. more than once i had to stop where i was and pull the tranny pan cause i filled the auto up with water :mad:

the fun greatly increased for me when i aquired an 87 suburban to tow it with. on a towbar at first,then a trailer. like sarge,i used to enjoy driving it on the road,but it gradually became not practical.

now i still enjoy driving a jeep on the road,but i have learned that i cant wheel the trails i want to wheel with 31s,and 38s are not practical for street driving,plus you have to have stuff like windshields and turn signals ;).

so i now have 2 different tow rigs,2 different trail-only rigs,1 small trailer,1 large trailer under construction, a much milder modified jeep cherokee that i drive daily most of the time and dont wheel much. i also have a a very conservative car(grand am) that is nice and quiet and gets good gas mileage when i dont want the ride quality of a jeep on mud tires.

i personally think instead of modifying your TJ to 94 truggy standards,that you should keep it as is. if you want to wheel on extreme trails there are lots of different half ton trucks that you cna buy for cheap and "truggy-ize" and youll end up with a very capable rig that you wont worry about denting or damaging,and for prolly alot less $$ than youll spend on beefing your front 30 and swapping in a rear axle that will have a matching bolt pattern. plus,its alot of fun to build them. ive built a few roll cages and my own scout truggy and its amazingly satisfying to wheel your own custom creation.

blazers,broncos,scout IIs,FSJ wagoneers,not to mention chevy, dodge and ford trucks. start with a 3/4 ton truck,remove the body,add a rollcage,and some 38"+ size tires with a welded rear and have some fun

09-26-2007, 03:13 PM	#2
jeepmanjeff Ah Unz ze President! - CORE Member - - Moderator - Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fairfield Ohio Posts: 588 Images: 343	History of my CJ-7 Wow lots of great information given out! My Jeep was a stocker at first. I wheeled it about 2 mopnths and got a locker for the rear. You would be amazed where this alone can get you through. I then put a EZ locker up front Stage 1 and wheeled it till I did my Scout Dana 44 swap on 35's Stage 2. My next step was 3/4 chevy 44 with Corporate 14 bolt in the rear. Both Locked and loaded with 35's.Stage 3 Then I went full bore with the current setup of 60 up front and 14 bolt rear on 40" total rig rebuild. Stage 4 First Stage was about $2500 ( sold for $1800) Second stage $1500 (sold for $2500) Third stage $2000 (sold for $2000) 4th stage $6500 (current setup) total $11500-$7500 for a difference of $4000 spent over 10 years or so All these stages incorporated tires, rims gears and lockers for the most part. Point is, I have been here and done that! My opinion is Build it once and only once but after some experience wheelin it while. Or do what sarge said and not have all the other expenses in between like I did. Looking back on it though...it did teach me a lot of the skills I posses today in doing all those different swaps and buildups __________________ Keep them on all 4's

09-26-2007, 04:37 PM	#5
JET455 Your wifes pimp! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Everywhere!!!!!! Posts: 548	Don't touch the TJ I found you 2 a new rig on craigslist....... http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/car/432814845.html It looks like the bastard child of the Truggy! __________________ if i am not currently offending you, i will be shortly.

09-26-2007, 04:45 PM	#8
carwash pimpin' IS easy Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Union, KY Posts: 3,344 Images: 605	the first one is nice, minus the body... __________________

10-08-2007, 08:50 AM	#10
scotty85 build it,not buy it! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: dayton,oh Posts: 35	i started wheelin an amc eagle with no low range and street tires. i quickly learned the value of having a low range and mananged to swap out the single speed full time transfer case with something better,and then quickly found the limits of 225/75 street tires with open diffs i cut the fenders,welded the rear,and added some 31" mud kings and it actually did pretty well. i had alot of fun,and learned how to drive. that rig also taught me very well to be prepared ;) with IFS and 2 piece rear axles,there were not many times that i drove it to the trails and back without some sort of trail or roadside repair along the way. wether your taking your DD or a dedicated trail rig,and wether your taking it on a trailer,a towbar,or sitting behind the wheel a big part of having fun on the trails is having plenty of tools and spare parts,fluids,etc. so you have some peace of mind and can enjoy the scenery. i got an 85 grand wagoneer that was supposed to be for parts for eagle solid axle swap. instead i started wheelin the GW. i paid $60 for my first set of 38s and fit them with a 3" body lift and a sawzall i was amazed at the places i could go on bald 38" gumbos with 8-10 psi in each tire. went many places the eagle wouldnt,even with 2 open diffs. i drove this rig to the trails alot in the early days and experienced everything everyone has mentioned- 25 mph with shaking tires,broken u joints,fluid changes,etc. more than once i had to stop where i was and pull the tranny pan cause i filled the auto up with water :mad: the fun greatly increased for me when i aquired an 87 suburban to tow it with. on a towbar at first,then a trailer. like sarge,i used to enjoy driving it on the road,but it gradually became not practical. now i still enjoy driving a jeep on the road,but i have learned that i cant wheel the trails i want to wheel with 31s,and 38s are not practical for street driving,plus you have to have stuff like windshields and turn signals ;). so i now have 2 different tow rigs,2 different trail-only rigs,1 small trailer,1 large trailer under construction, a much milder modified jeep cherokee that i drive daily most of the time and dont wheel much. i also have a a very conservative car(grand am) that is nice and quiet and gets good gas mileage when i dont want the ride quality of a jeep on mud tires. i personally think instead of modifying your TJ to 94 truggy standards,that you should keep it as is. if you want to wheel on extreme trails there are lots of different half ton trucks that you cna buy for cheap and "truggy-ize" and youll end up with a very capable rig that you wont worry about denting or damaging,and for prolly alot less $$ than youll spend on beefing your front 30 and swapping in a rear axle that will have a matching bolt pattern. plus,its alot of fun to build them. ive built a few roll cages and my own scout truggy and its amazingly satisfying to wheel your own custom creation. blazers,broncos,scout IIs,FSJ wagoneers,not to mention chevy, dodge and ford trucks. start with a 3/4 ton truck,remove the body,add a rollcage,and some 38"+ size tires with a welded rear and have some fun __________________ scotty 85 grand wagoneer(whats left of it) 77 scout II truggy 84 chevy "home made crewcab" Delightfully Tacky,Yet Unrefined Last edited by scotty85; 10-08-2007 at 08:57 AM.

09-26-2007, 03:44 PM	#3
kyrel69 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 372	I do not think it is a good idea to pay someone to work on your jeep if you are going to wheel it hard. Reason why is that you do not know how it was built. You most likely not know how to fixed it if it brakes out on the trail. That means someone else is going to have to fix it for you so you can get home. I know there are a few people that have rigs built for them b/c of not haveing time to build it them selfs but for a new wheeler they should try to do there mods or get a buddy to help.(there are lots of people on here that would help out just for a cold drink and a smile) As for what and how to build you jeep. I would go with sarge and jet. Put a bigger rear axle(8.8, 9in :( dana 44) and with the lift and tires you have you will be able to go a lot of places. Add lockers and 34-36in tires and you will be able to go most places.

09-26-2007, 04:32 PM	#4
Stang849 Stinkin Bastige Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anderson Twp. Posts: 178 Images: 236	Thanks guys for all the great information. Now Lisa and I need to decide what route we want to go. One good thing is I have done quite a bit of mechanic work on other cars just not the jeep, so I might be asking questions if i do work on it when it breaks.