First off my 83 CJ5 is getting new legs, 8.8 rear and D44 front set on JCW Waggy springs. The wheel base will be stretched 2" per end but there's a great chance that I will stretch it atleast 2" more per end for a total of an 8"- 9" wheel base increase.
The rear 8.8's WMS is 59.5" and I chopped a LP 44 to a WMS of 61.5" thinking that would be a nice off-set.
Today I scored a HP44 already retubed for pass side drop. The possible problem is with the outters on the WMS is 64". This is with Chevy small bearing spindles.

How much track width off-set is too much?
I have searched and found a few that said this is perfect but I was under the impression that a 2" off-set was perfect.
I plan on running this regardless, it's an HP and I need it, but what if any problems will I run into?
Thx

Why not take a couple of inches off each side and use the shafts for the other axel?

Hey Matt, haven't seen you out here in a while.
If I was to take anything off per side it would need to be 1" per side. That would leave me at 62" which would be great but I need to look at the work verses the result. It's a lot of hard work to do just 1" per side, keeping the tube welds shaved just enough to get the steering yokes back over it but not too loose.

More than likely what I'll do is run it, and if I don't like it make the change. I've got tons of spare shafts I can have chopped/resplined, I'll just do one set for this axle and see how it works before ordering alloys.

Doug, I'm running a 58" rear and I had order a set of inter axle shafts from Currie to yeild a 60" front WMS w/d44 outers. What I ended up with was a 61.5" WMS on the front. This was my first time building a front 9" so I didn't know what the front was going to end up with until I got it built. oh well.

I've only had one long weekend to wheel with the 3.5" offset but I personally like it much better than the 1" offset from my last set of axles. It's really not noticable with the CJ body and the stretched wheel base hides the extra offset even more. Additionally, I really like the tracking of the rear tires now on turns. The rear stays closer to the track of the front tires which is nice for making a line on the trail.

Like you said, wheel it for a while and see if you like it. Add spacers to the rear if you don't like the offset.

Good Luck

Hey Scott, That's good to hear. So I take it your 9" project turned out well. Did you ever find everything you lost for the web page write up?

Ya know, my rear Dutchmans have screw in studs so I figure I could always use longer studs and a spacer in the rear to get the track perfect. Why cut the front down when I could just widen the rear, duh, I've been workin too hard today.
I got the 8.8 in on the waggys and it sweet but screw it, time for a fuel cell and move the rear back further another 3".

Originally posted by JeepinDoug
Hey Matt, haven't seen you out here in a while.
If I was to take anything off per side it would need to be 1" per side. That would leave me at 62" .

You had said 61.5, depending on how each one is offset compared to each other you may be able to take it all off off one side.


I have been busy with the new house.

Have to agree with an earlier post. I would add some
1 1/4" wheel spacers to each side(rear). You would be able
to change the lug pattern there to match the front if they
were different. Hence, 1 spare tire. Plus you'd leave all
the axles in stock configuration(KISS method here).

Have you ever tried to find a custom axle shaft on the
trail?

In this instance unlike a woman's butt........wider is better.

later,

millertime

ps don't flame me, it's the thought that counts.

Originally posted by CJ

You had said 61.5, depending on how each one is offset compared to each other you may be able to take it all off off one side.
I have been busy with the new house.

I could take it off one side, it'll move the pinion in a bad direction with the SM420 but I think that would still work.
Thanks Matt, I was too tired to think about that.

Originally posted by millertime101
Have to agree with an earlier post. I would add some
1 1/4" wheel spacers to each side(rear). You would be able
to change the lug pattern there to match the front if they
were different. Hence, 1 spare tire. Plus you'd leave all
the axles in stock configuration(KISS method here).
Have you ever tried to find a custom axle shaft on the
trail?
In this instance unlike a woman's butt........wider is better.
later,
millertime
ps don't flame me, it's the thought that counts.

My BP is already 5-5.5 all around. I woundn't wheel tough terrain without spare shafts, custiom or not, it's cheaper than a tow home.
I wouldn't flame you just for a low post count, I'd flame you you cause you said something really stupid and that butt metaphor is really close.