Metric Ton Question

[Kkilmer87]

hey guys i just got a 86 2wd 2.5 l 4 banger i have the amc 20 rear axle and i think i may have metric ton springs is this a possibility and anyone know what gearing i may have......i tried searching the forum and google with no good solid pics or info i know the amc 20 was used with the metric ton package but on a 2wd???

[Kkilmer87]

it has 4 leafs plus the help spring my other 4 manches only got 3

[GirsMJ86]

Left out if it's manual or auto.

 

The springs are also not so much of an indication as the axle, my old '86 had 4 springs plus the helper but a D35. If it truly is the AMC20, then it is a MT or it was swapped in at some point. I doubt the latter though since it's a somewhat rare and not too sought after axle when there are easier to find stronger stuff out there that most go after instead.

[onlyinajeep726]

If 4-speed manual, likely 3.55's.  If 5-speed manual, likely 4.10's.  If 3-speed auto, likely 4.10's or 4.56's.

[Kkilmer87]

its a 5 speed and its def an amc 20 

[johnj92131]

If you have a 4 cylinder, you do not have a factory metric ton package!

[Blue88Comanche]

Because you have the I4 if it is the AMC 20 then it may have been swapped in as some point..  if it was swapped in by the last owner there is no way of knowing if it came from an auto or standard...  there may still be a ratio tag on the diff cover, but i would pull the cover and count teeth to be sure.  also would be a great time to change the diff fluid

 

Edit:

have pictures?

[GirsMJ86]

The 5spd didn't come with the 4cyl so it sounds like there was some swapage going on at some point with this rig. You could get the 4spd or the Chrysler 3spd auto in '86 with the 4cyl. Since you say it is a 5spd, you need to figure out which one it is and then I'd be pulling the cover and counting gears or getting it in the air and counting rotations since the tag is more than likely gone.

 

Maybe it originally had a V6 and someone swapped that for the I4 since it's more reliable with the same power basically? Did you ever run the VIN?

 

Of course this was at the time of AMC, so anything is possible to happen from the factory if it was ordered. Though I'd place my chips on things being swapped later on because of specs. Pics of components will ultimately confirm at least what the parts are anyways.

[Pete M]

the metric ton package was available with the 4banger and/or 2wd.

 

chances are REAL GOOD that your AMC-20 (regardless of the engine/trans combo) has 4.10s.  only way to know for sure is to check.  either spin the axle shafts or pull the cover and count teeth. 

[Kkilmer87]

Vin decoder says it was a five speed originally and I thought that too that 4 cyl had the ax4 but anything could be order from the factory don't know much on the history of the truck but I got it for 450 and I'm pumped cause now I can replace the 2wd springs on my lifted Manche with the metric ton springs ....

[Pete M]

the 4banger could be backed by either the ax4 or ax5 but in the case of the metric ton package, I do believe only the ax5 was offered  (to accommodate the 4,10 gears.)

[Kkilmer87]

Thanks for all the help guys just made my day.......except for my 4.0 problems lol but who doesn't have those

[jpnjim]

All factory MJ M20 rears were 4.10 geared.

 

^according to the parts books anyway.

 

 

The only options listed for Comanche M20's were:

"with limited slip", or "without limited slip".

 

 So far, I haven't seen a factory MJ Model 20 rear that brakes that rule,

no matter what engine, or transmission.

(& Pete you are probably correct about the 4spd NOT being available on the MT, but I don't remember ever looking it up)

[Pete M]

(& Pete you are probably correct about the 4spd NOT being available on the MT, but I don't remember ever looking it up)

 

 

it's what I remember from the dealership brochures

[Kkilmer87]

I just bought an 86 brochure will be here Friday can't wait to look into it some more .....thanks again for the info guys

[jimoshel]

Did you check the safety certification label on the driver side door pillar?Occasionally you will find one still attached, that hasn't fallen off or is illegible. This tells you the GVWR and the GAWR, which will tell you if it's a MT or not. If it is a MT it came with 4.11 axles. Check your VIN. If the 8th digit is a F,G,H or J then it is a MT.

Also if it came from the factory with a 2,5 then it could have had either the AX4 or AX5

[yxmj]

Check you vin # here

 

http://www.comanchemj.1hwy.com/custom3.html