AXLE EMERGENCY

[Big Black TJ]

My friend has an 89 Wrangler 4 banger. He was recently offroading and his axle snapped :shock: due to lead foot/bigger tires and no R&P change. As instinct tells me, I believe he has a Dana Model 35 rear (the axle that broke). I have a 71 CJ-5 with a Dana 44 in the rear and my question is can we swap it? The axle is in pretty good condition and I think it will work unless the 71 and 89 have different wheelbases. I know that you can put a Model 44 in a new TJ but what about an 89 YJ? Thanks, -(ChriS)-

[SK]

The CJ Dana 44 is too narrow for a YJ, CJs have 5x5.5 wheel circle the YJ has 5 x 4.5 so different wheels will be needed (or adapter?), YJ springs are 3/4" wider than that year CJ and the pads probably aren't in the right location either.

[LILYEEP]

You might want to think about using the Grand Wagoneer axles, it's a little more work, but they are both front and rear Dana 44's with low pinion gear ratios. The YJ's are hub to hub 60", the wagoneers are 58", which isn't much of a difference. They come stock with 6 lug pattern, but you can redrill them for the stock yj 5x4.5 or just find some wagoneer wheels and be done with it. Good luck!