Unit bearings? Who needs unit bearings

[Worlds Fastest Comanche]

I came across these replacment knuckled by Reid Racing http://www.reidracing.biz/DANA30.php They will let you swap CJ (76-77), Fsj (72-74?) or GM full float spindles and disc brakes onto your MJ. I like the CJ stuff with the bolt on hubs. You do end up with a 5 on 5.5 or 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern depending on what you use. Match it up with an explorer rearend with wheel adapters and you have a pretty stout rig. or you could match it up with the Mopar performance J8 dana 60 rear for a little over $2,700 http://www.moparsupercenter.com/p5155083.html

 

no more unit bearings!

[dakineJ]

I have been wondering about these,the Dana30 to 44 conversion knuckles. Is there a way to stay 5 on 4.5? I am actually wanting to add some beef to a 2WD beam.

[Worlds Fastest Comanche]

The 5 on 4.5 kits have been around for a while, I think i have one in the garage. Theu use Ford Ranger/ Explorer lockout hubs. Here is a link to the Warn version http://www.reiderracing.com/product_info.php?cPath=6016&products_id=9339 you may be able to order just the spindles bearings and flange from WARN. Milemarker makes somththing similar for about 1/3 the price, but it looks like it uses some type of unit bearings.

[pingpong]

Not to rain on anyones parade, but by the time you finish buying all the stuff needed to do this, you could just about swap in a mildly built d44 if you waited for deals to come around. Even after building the knuckles and buying new stub shafts, you still have 27 spline axles.

[dakineJ]

I understand what your saying,although I think that kit includes alloy axles. For my application though, I think something like the above would be stronger than the 87' 2WD spindle if it could be adapted to the stock inner C.

[Worlds Fastest Comanche]

Not to rain on anyones parade, but by the time you finish buying all the stuff needed to do this, you could just about swap in a mildly built d44 if you waited for deals to come around. Even after building the knuckles and buying new stub shafts, you still have 27 spline axles.

 

 

I think a Rubicon (D44) axle bolts in ( pre 2006) they go for about $2,000 at bone yards. They do come with 4:10 gears and an electric locker. You will still have unit bearings.

[Blue XJ]

I picked up the warn conversion kit a few years ago. i picked it up used for $300. it comes with alloy outer shafts, and your supposed to reuse the stock inners, luckily i got the warn alloy inners with the kit. it works pretty good, i have already broke 1 hub from mild wheeling at the badlands. i bought a spare set of milemarker hubs (a lot cheaper) to carry with me as trail spares. I'd rather break a $50 hub than a ujoint, since it usually takes out the shaft too and the warn ones are a few hundred each to replace.