YJ Axle and advice needed.

[ltrpilot9]

I recently found out what its like when your jeep becomes a tripod at 60mph. A certain Ron White routine comes to mind. I had it towed to wilson off road in Fayetteville because they have been good to me in the past and they treat the military very well. The axle that is in it right now is a FSJ model 20, which I have been happy with up to now. Its a standard SUA suspension set up, with 4.88 gears and a detroit locker. The damage to the brake assembly is extensive, and I am pretty sure the axle got bent while it worked it self out. The guys at Wilson tell me that the model 20 is a weak axle and I should replace it or this will happen again. I have always been told the model 20 that came in the early CJ was a POS, but the FSJ model 20 was pretty stout. The guys at wilson also tell me it will be about 1800 to replace the model 20 with a 8.8 ford with 4.88 gears. That sounds a tad on the high side to me. So part 1 of my request is to ask my fellow jeep freaks if I should fix my old axle or replace it? Part 2 is to ask if anyone has an axle that is a suitable replacement for my YJ that is for sale? Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. Did I mention I was driving home from the DMV when I spun into a dimension of pissed off that I have never been before? Let the games begin

 

[meanwhitemopar]

Way wrong section for this post. Should be moved to the general tech. but the 20 just is good for driving, anything bigger then stock tires or power and it gets very weak. 8.8 depending where u get it, plus cost of gears, installl, some fab work for braking stuff, ebrake hooked correct... 1800 isnt that bad for the strength u get.

 

[NASH-TY-AMC]

I recently found out what its like when your jeep becomes a tripod at 60mph. A certain Ron White routine comes to mind. I had it towed to wilson off road in Fayetteville because they have been good to me in the past and they treat the military very well. The axle that is in it right now is a FSJ model 20, which I have been happy with up to now. Its a standard SUA suspension set up, with 4.88 gears and a detroit locker. The damage to the brake assembly is extensive, and I am pretty sure the axle got bent while it worked it self out. The guys at Wilson tell me that the model 20 is a weak axle and I should replace it or this will happen again. I have always been told the model 20 that came in the early CJ was a POS, but the FSJ model 20 was pretty stout. The guys at wilson also tell me it will be about 1800 to replace the model 20 with a 8.8 ford with 4.88 gears. That sounds a tad on the high side to me. So part 1 of my request is to ask my fellow jeep freaks if I should fix my old axle or replace it? Part 2 is to ask if anyone has an axle that is a suitable replacement for my YJ that is for sale? Any advice/help is greatly appreciated. Did I mention I was driving home from the DMV when I spun into a dimension of pissed off that I have never been before? Let the games begin

Wrong section, but I would have to disagree on the model 20 being a weak axle, with 1 piece in there they are plenty strong. The axle tube is the weak link on a 20. Buy a 8.8 out of a explorer and do it yourself not that bad of a job. You can find a factory 4.10 in most cases.

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

I've always associated One piece shaft 20's as the same strenght as Dana 44's or just slightly better. What size tire you runnin? With the 8.8 you can readily get rear disk and working parking brake components. Sum of your replacement parts and labor compared to an 8.8 that you'll most likely have to regear and move the perches and shock mts., not sure. I know what I'd charge for the labor just not the individual parts prices. I'd guess building the 20 with good shafts, brake and bearing parts would be cheaper. You need to call EastCoast Gear, they move a bloody million 8.8's and can get you prices for either axle. Being the experts they are they can let you know real quick if your getting jerked around on labor and parts.

 

[Bullardbs]

I had the same amc20 six lug in my yj with spool 4.56 gears and cromo shafts running 36 iroks and never had a issue with a 304 v8 turning them. I would keep the amc 20

 

[go5.0]

Moser for the 20. Your gears are already set up and everything works.

 

[RenegadeT]

Wrong section...

Way wrong section for this post...

I moved this thread from Parts for Sale. Carry on with the tech discussion...

I've heard/read that the tubes in a FSJ 20 are much beefier than a CJ 20. I stitch welded the tubes into my CJ 20, but the finally bent. Now its trussed, but I haven't got around to getting the rest of the CJ up and running. I think one piece shafts are a must in a model 20 axle, dunno if the FSJ 20 has factory one pieces shafts or not; 2-piece in the CJ.

 

[AX(J)15_tudor]

Can't answer the 20 question but for turnkey the price is fair. Guy on here is selling an 8.8 with ARB but he hasn't specified gearing and it's setup for zj. In that price range (or most likely less) picking up an ARB would be a bonus that might make the whole thing more palatable. I bought a used geared (4.88) 8.8 on here for much less than what you've been quoted but that involved a lot of my time installing getting custom ds etc. Your issue in finding an existing replacement will usually be gearing finding an 8.8 versus finding an 8.8 or other axle geared 4.88 is much narrower chance unless you have time.

Mine was in this status for about 2+ weeks with me doing work after work and doing 2 axles and a full suspension change. YMMV

 

[ltrpilot9]

I apologize for posting in the wrong threat, it wont happen again. I am running 35" tires, with 4.88 gears. I have never had a problem with it before. I would much rather keep my FSJ model 20 and just fix the left side brake assembly. I have done a bunch more research and yes, the CJ model 20 was notoriously weak, but the FSJ model 20 was always on par with a D44, so you guys confirmed what I have always been told. I will keep my model 20 and fix the broken components. You guys are awesome, thanks for the advice.

 

[AX(J)15_tudor]

When I shopped an online price quote for an ECGS 8.8 is in line with what he was quoted. Unless you can weld and do your own gear setup there really are no cheap alternatives aside from used. I think it's probablly wise to run what you already have setup especially for cost.

I've always associated One piece shaft 20's as the same strenght as Dana 44's or just slightly better. What size tire you runnin? With the 8.8 you can readily get rear disk and working parking brake components. Sum of your replacement parts and labor compared to an 8.8 that you'll most likely have to regear and move the perches and shock mts., not sure. I know what I'd charge for the labor just not the individual parts prices. I'd guess building the 20 with good shafts, brake and bearing parts would be cheaper. You need to call EastCoast Gear, they move a bloody million 8.8's and can get you prices for either axle. Being the experts they are they can let you know real quick if your getting jerked around on labor and parts.

 

[NASH-TY-AMC]

I apologize for posting in the wrong threat, it wont happen again. I am running 35" tires, with 4.88 gears. I have never had a problem with it before. I would much rather keep my FSJ model 20 and just fix the left side brake assembly. I have done a bunch more research and yes, the CJ model 20 was notoriously weak, but the FSJ model 20 was always on par with a D44, so you guys confirmed what I have always been told. I will keep my model 20 and fix the broken components. You guys are awesome, thanks for the advice.

The CJ 20 is not weak dude whoever told you that doesnt know.

 

[WOR]

A CJ model 20 rear end with 2 piece axle shafts is a POS! Even with one piece axles when you get to a low gear set the ring gear gets kinda thin. When we build an 8.8 for a CJ we shorten it and put chrome molly axles in it with a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern. All new brakes, bearings, gears, lines and fluid plus the adapter flange or new yoke for the pinion. I ran one in my 84 with 39.5 boggers on it and never broke it. $1800 is a cheap price for a built axle with a posi and chrome molly axles. I have owned 48 CJ's and have built or restored over a thousand so I am pretty sure I do know.