I was looking about swapping out my axles from my 80 CJ-7 to something stronger. I've been looking for Dana 44's to swap in but I know they are hard to get. I've never swapped axles before so I don't know what Dana 44's will fit my jeep. I've heard some people use them from grand cherokee's and some from a scout. I want one that is going to have a 5 lug pattern not a 6. I don't want to have to change rims. If I find one that is a 6 lug can the rotors be swapped out for a 5 lug?

Wagoneers work great for swaps but gears and lockers will still need to be installed and rims are an issue too. Yes you can change them over to 5 lug but it might be easier and cheaper to just buy new rims.

Yep, it's Tuesday.

Read here (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376900) and take good notes. When you're all done use the search function for any other questions you may have. After all of that (should take you weeks if not longer) come back and ask your questions or ask them in Newbie Tech.

All the info is here for the taking, but won't be "spoon fed" to you. What you're asking has been done to almost every CJ on this board. While your at it read the "Read this before you post you Newbie Fawkers" thread at the top of the first page :shaking:

Edit: Just noticed you asked another newb question (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=391215) without any thought to research, think and search before you post.

scooby 333 I have been jeeping for about 20 yrs waggy axles are abundent all over the nation and cheap every trader paper in every town has a waggy for cheap. look for pre 81 as to keep dif on correct side. as to the rims 6 lug rim are just as abundent, always someone taking a 1/2 ton chevy and swaping 3/4, or 1 ton into I personaly have bought weld or american racing 15x10 for $200. set of 4 or 5 if you are hell bent on your 5.5 lug go with scout prices on these range from $200. into the thousands now I say buy a whole scout or waggy for all the parts you can scavange like try to locate a 80 scout they have a dana 300 case that bolts right to a t-18 trans and might even have a t-19 4-speed on it already (bullit proof) what ever you go with keep in mind if this is a dd you have to try to cover those meats (narrow axles or extra wide flares 7" omix ada flares from 4wd hardware $199.99, or you could just go whith it and out board the springs (outside frame) try a local jeep club always somone out there that has been right where you are now and someone helped them.

Ok I went through a bunch of posts looking for information. There is a lot of information here and it is a lot to surf through to try and find a little piece of information your looking for. Most of the posts go on and on in differnt directions and you have to read a dozen replies in one post to find an answer. I'm a member at numerous websites, but have never been greated as a NEWBIE. I've worked on restoring classic cars so I am familair with some things. So trying to find information is one thing but trying to understand some lingo here is another. I'm not up on all the lingo so bare with me.

I'm using my jeep as a DD so all I was looking for in my question was an easy swap out with minor monifcations. Like moving spring pads or something like that. SInce my jeep has the stock D20 and D30.

There are a lot of parts out there and if the people don't know what there selling I don't know what I'm looking for if I don't have a simple answer.

I saw a guy selling axles from a 70 jeep. He doesn't know what type of Dana's they are. I checked a listing and it says that for 70's they had the D44 in the rear. Does anyone know what length the 70's where. If they are close enough to the D20 I'm probably going to buy them.

Also I saw a D44 from an 86 cj-7. 5 5 1/2" bolt pattern. I'm assuming this would be a better choice than the 70? Any suggestions????

There is no "easy" swap out. You are at the very least going to deal with the spring perches not being anywhere near where they need to be. Search. And if you can't figure out search at least post in newbie

:cow:

Dude, Rims are the least of your worries. I did an axle swap with a Chevy 44 front and a Scout II rear. I changed the front to 5 lug using ford stuff. If you are going to do it to it right and expect to spend some cash. I did an axle swap and a SOA with new springs for under $4k. The Scout rear is an easy swap, just spring perches & shock mounts. The front is the tuff one. You have options but thay are all a lot of work. Unless you have a custom 44 front made then it shouldn't be too bad, as far as work, but it'll hurt the wallet. Figure out what you are going to do with the Jeep and what tires you wanna run. Then go up a tire size. Then figure out what axle will best suit your wallet and your Jeep. Any easier front swap is a full width chevy 1/2t cut the long side 4" use a waggy long side shaft and you'll be 63" wide. Then get a waggy rear axle @ 60". You'll be all 6 lug and it won't be a ton of work nor cost you a fortune. If you are dead set on staying 5 lug I can help you with that too. LMK

I saw a guy selling axles from a 70 jeep. He doesn't know what type of Dana's they are. I checked a listing and it says that for 70's they had the D44 in the rear. Does anyone know what length the 70's where. If they are close enough to the D20 I'm probably going to buy them.

Also I saw a D44 from an 86 cj-7. 5 5 1/2" bolt pattern. I'm assuming this would be a better choice than the 70? Any suggestions????

A '70 has the rear diff offset to the passenger side. That's the first problem. It most likely also has 19 spline, two piece axleshafts (like the AMC 20). The front axle will be a closed knuckle Dana 27. Bottom line, you don't want either. Your existing axle isn't a D20 either, it's an AMC corporate 20. A D20 is a transfer case.

My suggestion is re-read those posts from searches, filter out what you don't need to know, and ask about the terminology you don't understand.

Scooby333 He man it isn't has hard as it seems. I have a full width under my CJ and the hardest part is finally choosing what you want to go with. There are many companys that offer a kits that makes it pretty much dipshit proof. Check out Poison Spyder's kit it is a really awesome kit and it runs 450. Also Blue Torch Fab has a few as well.
I agree with the other fellas, wheels are by far your least worry. And this is not going to be a few hundred dollar job that you will do on a Saturday night and a six pack. Just make sure you do your research. I have a few full width fronts out of FSJ's that I am selling. If you need any specific info email me I am more than willing to ya out. sgtswole@yahoo.com