First we secured the Jeep on stands and removed the rear shackles and springs. I had installed the 4" lift the week before so this was easy. Dropped the driveshaft after measuring the length, lifted her up and out she came.
Chu's Axle Swap
(lots of pictures, so please be patient while they load)
I was getting tired of wondering when the AMC 20 was going to fail me in my 84 CJ so I decided to swap out the axle for a Scout Dana 44. After asking around, I secured one from fellow Jeeper Rick B. and brought that baby home. I tore the axle apart and installed all new brake hardware, springs, lines, and new axle seals, and new wheel cylinders. I decided that it would be a great time to also install the Detroit EZ locker. The axle had 4.27 gears already from the factory, so after the POR job, she was ready to go.
First we secured the Jeep on stands and removed the rear shackles and
springs. I had installed the 4" lift the week before so this was easy.
Dropped the driveshaft after measuring the length, lifted her up and out she
came.
With the AMC 20 removed, I was able to get a good look around and was pleased
to see that all was good underneath, future project will be an 3/16" steel
skidplate to replace the tin sheet that Jeep installed.
I decided that a new pinion seal would be easier to do now then when all
buttoned up so this was done next.
The AMC 20 had 10 inch rear shoes where the Dana 44 has 11 inch drums. This
has much better stopping power and hill holding will increase.