I'm jumping over from the toy board to ask some ? for my brother.

He just picked up a 94 YJ and I helped him install a superlift 4" Susp. lift and 33's.

He's located a SBC 350 carbed, and a TH400.

His dilema is, whether to keep and adapt to the NP231 and find a front scout D44 that is driver's drop... or...

find a NP205 or similar and go with a pass. drop front axle.

I'm mostly a toy guy so I don't know which way to steer him.

I need some suggestions and advice!!! Pls help.

Thanx,
Vince
nr4wd@hotmail.com

If he wants to use a 231, then he should probably buy spare parts because it is definitely the weak link in a 350/TH400 combo. A D300 or 241 would be stronger with a good low range, or a 203/205 or 203/D300 would work well if he can stretch the wheelbase.

And if he is going driver's drop, the Wag D44 is the better choice since from 1980-91 they are driver's drop D44s and are the same stock width as a YJ and don't need to be cut and turned to get decent steering. They are also a dime a dozen, a complete core shouldn't cost more than $100-150.

If you go with pass side, then a 74-79 Wag front axle is a good choice. Pretty much same as 80-91 but in a pass drop.

He should probably think about a better rear axle, too, since the D35 sucks. A matching D44 or AMC 20 from an 1980+ Wag would be a good choice (the Wag 20 is stock with 1pc shafts, so it is not as weak as a stock CJ AMC 20) or a Ford 8.8.

This is pretty newbie.. you should search on it some. :D

I reallize the 'newbieness' of my post. However I did state that jeeps aren't my forte.

Thanx for the help, I guess I'll help him hunt up some D44's.

If he keeps a NP231 he should add a HD SYE mainshaft AND swap out the sprockets and chain for the 1.25" version.
If the TH400's output is 27 spline he can get a NP231-C from an S10 that has the larger chain and sprockets and a HD SYE will fit. Dodge also has the larger chain and sprockets.

I would say it would be better to swap to a passenger side axle and do the 205. The rear axle is going to be an issue.

What are the issues w/the rear axle?

I know that it is weak and we're looking for a D44 replacement now.

Are there other issues???

The rear axle housing is weak and prone to bending. The ring and pinion are tiny and you could destroy them. The carrier and spiders are weak and often the carrier cracks if locked and put under a load. It is c-clipped (dependent on year) so the shafts will slide out if broke....and I can arm curl one to show you how MASSIVE it is.

dont waste time with the 44 rear, go right for the 60 it will be worth it

Biggest tire he will ever run will prob be 33's or 35's. He's no rock crawler.... just now getting into wheeling.

I think a D44 rear will last him.

Behold the newbie of whom you are speaking!

I found a '79 waggy with d20 tc and front and rear axles, or I could get a ford np205 with a drivers side drop and dona 44 in front and dana 60 in rear, but they're to fawking wide.
any help would be very valuble


thanx

sure wider is better but my tires allready stick out too far according the the state of west by god virginia. any farther and I'll have to use mine belt for fender flares

Originally posted by JohnnyJ
If he wants to use a 231, then he should probably buy spare parts because it is definitely the weak link in a 350/TH400 combo. A D300 or 241 would be stronger with a good low range, or a 203/205 or 203/D300 would work well if he can stretch the wheelbase.

And if he is going driver's drop, the Wag D44 is the better choice since from 1980-91 they are driver's drop D44s and are the same stock width as a YJ and don't need to be cut and turned to get decent steering. They are also a dime a dozen, a complete core shouldn't cost more than $100-150.

If you go with pass side, then a 74-79 Wag front axle is a good choice. Pretty much same as 80-91 but in a pass drop.

He should probably think about a better rear axle, too, since the D35 sucks. A matching D44 or AMC 20 from an 1980+ Wag would be a good choice (the Wag 20 is stock with 1pc shafts, so it is not as weak as a stock CJ AMC 20) or a Ford 8.8.

This is pretty newbie.. you should search on it some. :D

I've been searching, and sorry to hijack, but....

Is a D300 out of a Jeep a driver's drop front output? I am trying to look into one for my '84 Waggy, driver drop front D44. Also, does a Scout D300 come in dd or pd? And will both bolt to a tf727?

Thanks, sorry for the quasi-related post.

The carrier and spiders are weak and often the carrier cracks if locked and put under a load.
I managed to crack my D35 carrier without the assistance of lockers. That's why I now run a Ford 8.8.