2 piece axle

[Sideshow]

I have a 70 j truck with the 2-piece axle. I was told the best thing to do is replace it with a later model with one piece axles. I don't do any serious off-roading, so I was wondering what should I be looking for as a donor axle?

[John V]

2 piece? A timken? are there any markings in the casting? got pics? If someone did swap in a timken you will want to deep 6 it. A J-truck d44 would make a good donor and iirc it is what was stock in 70. If you need one I think Gwamp might have a spare for sale soon.

[Sideshow]

as far as I know , the truck is stock, buick 350,4 speed. the rear axle has the hub and nut arrangement.I know from past experience with an international, it doesn't hold up well. My 74 doesn't have them, its 6 lug(chevy pattern?)
you guys are great for info,I'm just new and don't know all the subtlies

[John V]

A timpkin is easy to spot, it has no diff cover and is bolted together laterally around the middle of the pumpkin. I'm not sure what you mean by "the rear axle has the hub and nut arrangement". If you mean it has a flange on the end of the shaft that is bolted to the hub it could be a dana 60 for sure or maybe 60-2 though I'm not sure about the -2. Either of these will be fine with most uses. What model truck is it?

And yes the 6 lug pattern is the same as chevy, nissan, isuzu, and all the others iirc

[ December 11, 2003, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: John V ]

[Tad]

Your profile just says 70 & 74 Jtruck, so we don't really know what it is. J2000, 3000, 4000 etc.

The Timken Spiral Bevel 53 was the 2-piece axle from the Willys years (looked like an older truck axle with the diff housing pressed/bolted together), showed up in some of the early Gladiators also.
Most likeley you have the 2-piece Dana 44.
It will hold up fine as a daily driver as long as you don't toss on big tires and run the heck out of it.
Don't invest too much $$ in this, maybe just brake shoes/turn the drums/rebuild wheel cylinders, just to get you to the next level.
The 1-piece, 5 lug shows up around late 70 thru 73, then swithches over to the 6 lug version in 74/75 iirc.
I happen to have a 1-piece 5 lugger from a 72 J2000 that is going away soon but shipping would kill you to WA

[John V]

@-piece d44? Wow I never knew such a critter existed! How is it different from the std 44?

[Sideshow]

well,its got J3000 emblems on it, says gladiator inside the drivers door. All I know is It's mine and I love it, along with my 74 j something. Its my driver /work truck. winch,pt conversion. Can't beat an old jeep FS

[Stuka]

all 19 spline rear d44's are 2 piece from what I know.

[joe]

Since you don't plan on using it as a hard core wheeler and assuming it hasn't already been abused by a PO just keep fresh gear lube in it and you'll be just fine. Drive it and enjoy it. smile.gif

[cherokeedoc]

I agree with drive and enjoy, but warning, I had a two piece axle on my 81 cherokee chief once. Happened right after the loud bang and controlled skid at 50 Km/h. Warning sign is slowly progressing vibration that gets suddenly worse.
and knocks funny just prior to driving on 3 wheels. Best of luck. This website rocks, totally enjoying newfound friends and helpful tips.

[Tad]

Originally posted by John V:
@-piece d44? Wow I never knew such a critter existed! How is it different from the std 44?Looks very much like the Timken 53 at the wheel/brake assembly except the brake drum slips over the wheel studs like a normal drum instead of being held in place by the studs on the rear of the hub.
I've torn up several 2-piece axles over the last 20+ years but that's really my fault with the bigger tires and engines and of course the expierence that youth taught me smile.gif

[John V]

Thanks Tad, I learn something new here everyday!

[Stuka]

Originally posted by cherokeedoc:
I agree with drive and enjoy, but warning, I had a two piece axle on my 81 cherokee chief once. Happened right after the loud bang and controlled skid at 50 Km/h. Warning sign is slowly progressing vibration that gets suddenly worse.
and knocks funny just prior to driving on 3 wheels. Best of luck. This website rocks, totally enjoying newfound friends and helpful tips.Why did you put a 2 piece axle in it to??