CJ Axle Swap

[North Plains Drifter]

I'm already half way into this swap so I'll give a brief history.

It's 74 CJ w/360, T-18, D20, 36" TSL's. It has a rear D44 with a Powertrax No slip locker. The front was a open D30 until a few months ago when I destroyed on Can Opener. I knew it was only a matter of time. I found a set of Scout axles that were totaly rebuilt w/5.38's, the rear is welded and the front is open. I'm not a fan of welded rears but the price was right. I'll take the locker from my D44 and put it in the front. I'm hoping I will like the No Slip up front as it will unlock on cornering, it locks when under throttle. I'm using YJ springs up front and Xj in the back. Here's some progress.

Homemade spring hangers, spring plate and axle perches.

 

[North Plains Drifter]

Con't

The Scout front axle has 0 degree castor so I ground the welds off the outer c's and took a BFH and got them to about 5 1/2 degrees. I set the springs as far forward as I could to clear the fenders and damn fenderwell headers. Due to the way the Scout axle perches are I had to outboard the front springs about 1 3/4" on each side. CJ axles are 53" wms to wms, scouts are 59". I also strenghtened the frame where the rear hangers mount. A few months ago I did a shackle reversal, best thing I ever did!

 

[North Plains Drifter]

Con't

Steering has been challenging, the Scout's have funky ass knuckles. They are really long. I cam up with an idea of using a Waggy tie rod and drag link. I'm pretty sure it will work as I don't have the money for a hi-steer setup. In the future. Right now I'm working on setting the rear in. That's about as far as I am right now.