Choosing axles for a willys wagon

[four27_cobra]

So here it is, im trying to decide what kind of axles to throw under this beast. Little background, want to run 37ish tires, cummins 4bt, NV4500, atlas. I have a full float kit on my D44 rear on my CJ and really like that, so whatever rear i get a full float kit is desireable. I want to run ARB's in both axles. Im on the fence about whether or not a D44 will survive with 37s and 4bt torque, i like the fact that its a good 200 lbs lighter than a D60. I want to run disc brakes front and rear. I've considered the 9" option, however these seem to be pricey to build well. Main thing i dont like about the D60s is they are flippin heavy! Id rather not have this thing weigh over 6000 lbs. If it comes down to it though ill take heavier and cheaper over way pricey and lighter. Not a big fan of the 14 bolt rear, too damn heavy and overkill for what im doing. Everyone throw your opinion out there, if you can think of something good i didnt list say it! Thanks in advance

[stevesc1]

For the rear I would say either a ford 9" or a dana 60 would be the best choice for 37's. A front 60 is very heavy, around 550 lbs, but a rear 60 is a good bit less. A full floater setup adds a good bit of weight to the rear unless you use high dollar lightweight hubs, etc. I have seen claims of a semi floating dana 60 rear as only being in the 275 lb range, and ff around 375. Disc brakes would reduce that some.

Are you going to run full width or do you want something narrower? A d44 in the front would be marginal for hard wheeling with a heavy torquey vehicle.

Realistically, I would just think about a pair of 60's and not worry too much about the weight as building a lightweight front end gets very pricey, and the rear isn't going to be too heavy.

[four27_cobra]

Won't be running full width, probably something between 60 to 64" WMS but its kinda TBD at this point. Dont know much about the Hi 9 setups, seems a bit pricey for me though, im leanin twoards what you were sayin with just doing 60s, wanna get some opinions first. thanks for yours!

[robi615]

with all the torque of a 4bt and the weight of a wagon, combined with the gearing of a nv4500 and atlas with big tires on the axles is begging for something to break. full width may not be what you want, but if you're wanting to run 37s on a heavy rig then you need to consider a beefier axle. Would you rather have a lighter set of axles where you have to baby them and worry about not breaking shafts? Or go with axles that leave you a lot of room to grow and give a comfort factor? Do you think you would stay at 37s?

[gavan]

I am throwing a 4bt and nv4500 in my CJ-10a. I had a D44 front axle and I was OK with running it, but I fell into a D60 and I feel much better about it.

Basically, if you are not going to run it hard offroad, and you only use 4x4 for getting out of wet grass and occasional snow, and you have no problems with frequent maintenance on your ball joints, you can live with a 4bt and D44. A D60 is a much stronger application and will not have ball joint problems, and the bigger u-joints will withstand some more abuse.

I have a 14b for the rear, and to be honest, I would not run anything less. For the money involved in a 14b, and the torque from a 4bt, it does not make much sense to run anything else.

Another big thing to consider is gearing on the axles. I am running 4.56s because that is what they came with, and it will be in the upper range of economical cruising with the 4bt. Even with the overdrive, a lot of people are running 3.73s or lower. There comes a point, I do not think I would like to see much less that 1800 at your cruise speed. It is still possible to lug a diesel.

I found the easiest solution for me was full width 1 (or 3/4) ton axles with stock offset H1 rims. Strong axles, and the width is somewhat abated by the deep offset. No worried about narrowing axles or finding custom shafts, either.

[four27_cobra]

Thats an interesting idea about the H1 rims, great input from everyone so far, thanks! I doubt i would ever go larger than 37s, i plan on keeping this thing looking stock wherever possible except for the rear fender openings, which will meet the sawzall and get trimmed truck fenders, probably. My biggest beef with a 14B is that the thing is just so damn big in the pumpkin area, id have very little clearance for gas tanks and such, and it does hang down a ways... but it is cheap.