wannabeMJ Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 how good is an AMC 20?? some guys say its almost better then a 44 but????? I have doubts about that I can get my hands on AMC 20 and a front dana 44 from a wagoneer both 3.08 gears for 100$ the dana 44 is for leaf springs so won't fit a comanche without some fab work and before installing the 20 I would rebuilt it anyway I wanna run 4.56 or should I wait for a 44 instead??? your take on this please Dominic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Waggy (narrow) rears aren't the best MJ axles, since they're only around 58" wide (60" would be better). D44 vs M20, D44 has 10 ring gear bolts, M20 has 8 (but they are larger bolts) D44 = 8.50" ring gear, M20 = 8.875" ring gear. D44 has smaller pinion gear, D44 = same size pinion as D30, M20 = same size pinion as D60 (can't think of sizes right now, but I'm thinking it's 1.376" vs 1.626" stems.) D44 has 30sp 1.30" axles, M20 has 29sp 1.25" shafts In Waggy's, both D44 & M20 have 1-piece axle shafts from the factory, the 44 housing is probably stronger (typical M20 housings are thin), but I never pulled apart a Waggy M20 to see. It's pretty much a wash, but I'd probably take the 44 over an M20 just for parts availability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 The AMC 20 is a beefy axle. The problem was that, as used in the CJs, Waggys, and Javelins and AMXs, the hubs were splined and bolted to the axle shafts and were very prone to stripping the splines and just spinning. The version used in the MJ had one-piece axle shaft/hub assemblies, which removed that problem. Also, the Waggies had 6-bolt wheels. I wouldn't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 a mid 90s v6 Rodeo will have a rear Dana 44 to match that jeep front 44 and it comes with disks and either 4.10 or 4.31 gears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 Fighting a losing argument, but the FSJ's used M23's, not M20's. Full sized Waggy's did not use the 2-piece shafts of the M20. The widetrack versions are rumored to have thicker tubes but I have never personally cut one aprt to see. I have seen W/T D44's cut open and they have D44HD tubes. 8.8/9"/M23/D44/29spline 8.25 are arguably so close to each other, with each model having pluses and minuses, that to spend a dime to swap one for the other strictly for a perceived strength increase is probably spending money that should be spent elsewhere. D44 has a smallish pinion shaft: D44 pinion shafts failing are rarely an issue so that is just one of the thousands of "bragging rights" things with little real word application. If you are updating to get a cheap disc upgrade as well or something like that, it makes more sense. If starting from scratch, I'd pick the one I could get the best deal on and that had the most upgrades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabeMJ Posted July 23, 2010 Author Share Posted July 23, 2010 Fighting a losing argument, but the FSJ's used M23's, not M20's. Full sized Waggy's did not use the 2-piece shafts of the M20. The widetrack versions are rumored to have thicker tubes but I have never personally cut one aprt to see. I have seen W/T D44's cut open and they have D44HD tubes. If you are updating to get a cheap disc upgrade as well or something like that, it makes more sense. If starting from scratch, I'd pick the one I could get the best deal on and that had the most upgrades. for starter I got a FSJ 44 on my YJ and I love it and no its not for a disc conversion the damn thing is about as old as me so no disc there its was just that for a 100$ I tought it was cheap and a good deal to buy but I also know that if I wait I can get my hands on a 44 for about the same price if I look hard enough witch I will have to put the same kind of money to rebuilt anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 the last 2 Rodeo rears I've bought didn't need anything. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 I personally like the D44, too. I have had them under at least a dozen rigs, front and/or rear. They are plentiful, cheap, easy to upgrade, and strong enough for 90% of wheelers. If I was replacing a D35 I would probably go 8.8 w/discs or Pete's favorite isuzu D44 ( :D )just because the wheeling around here generally involves some time in mud and muddy drum brakes are no fun. I like my axles like I like my wimmins: cheap and leakin' a little grease.... :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 23, 2010 Share Posted July 23, 2010 a mid 90s v6 Rodeo will have a rear Dana 44 to match that jeep front 44 and it comes with disks and either 4.10 or 4.31 gears. Pete; What's the width and bolt pattern for the mid 90s v6 Isuzu D44? EDIT: Never mind, found out. It's 1.5 inches narrower and has 6-lug axles. Could work with spacers and redrilling the axles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepers Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 i have a amc 20 in my 86 x and it is so far been tuff as nails it. has 4.10 yukon gears and mosser one peice axels . the neet thing is if you can find a wrecked for explorer 94-98 you can use the disk brakes on the 20 with a minor bit of fab ...a 3/16 c spacer between the seal and mounting flange of the mounting bracketfor the caliber will keep the axels in it. ive had this setup for a few years now and love it.towing a trailer (16) foot with 5 atvs is no problem to get moving or stop in a hurry :banana: . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabeMJ Posted July 24, 2010 Author Share Posted July 24, 2010 was that an AMC 20 from a waggy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 If the M20's biggest issue has been eliminated by a 1 piece axle conversion, it is not uncommon to do a little stitch welding where the tubes go into the 3rd member and to make a simple ( even mitre box version) over-the-3rd-member truss to help the actual M20's weaknesses: spinning the tubes in the housing and bending the tubes. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted July 24, 2010 Share Posted July 24, 2010 a mid 90s v6 Rodeo will have a rear Dana 44 to match that jeep front 44 and it comes with disks and either 4.10 or 4.31 gears. Pete; What's the width and bolt pattern for the mid 90s v6 Isuzu D44? EDIT: Never mind, found out. It's 1.5 inches narrower and has 6-lug axles. Could work with spacers and redrilling the axles. yup, it matches the grand waggy front dana 44, not our MJ front dana 30. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabeMJ Posted July 25, 2010 Author Share Posted July 25, 2010 a mid 90s v6 Rodeo will have a rear Dana 44 to match that jeep front 44 and it comes with disks and either 4.10 or 4.31 gears. Pete; What's the width and bolt pattern for the mid 90s v6 Isuzu D44? EDIT: Never mind, found out. It's 1.5 inches narrower and has 6-lug axles. Could work with spacers and redrilling the axles. yup, it matches the grand waggy front dana 44, not our MJ front dana 30. :thumbsup: yeah but like I said before I have a set of FSJ diff under my YJ and they are wide they would be to wide for the comanche even with stock rims I had to put 6'' flares to cover the tires on the YJ don't know how much it would take on the comanche but I don't think 6'' flares would look good on the comanche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpnjim Posted July 25, 2010 Share Posted July 25, 2010 FSJ trucks & Wide Wheel FSJ Cherokee's axles are full width (65-66") FSJ Waggy's & narrow track FSJ Cherokee's are narrow (60.5" wide fronts, 57-58" wide rears) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepers Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 my amc 20 came with the metric ton package in 85- 89 . and there for was a bolt in no ?s ask Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4X4COMANCHE Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 sounds like some one should start a poll for most favorable rear axle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeepers Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 hey thats an idea . lets try it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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