J20 Axles vs. M715 Axles

[Old no7]

I am ready to upgrade my J10(q-trac) with some heavier axles and have been for a long time. I am not sure whether to buy a set from a J20 or an M715. I plan on upgrading gears, lockers everything. Which would you purchase and why?

[orangecherokee]

what size tires?

[Old no7]

35s right now but eventually 38-39s. I plan on doing a spring over eventually.

[jode]

Neither.

The J20 front is pert near the same as what you have.
The M715 axles aren't anything like a more modern D60/D70 and I don't know that it would be worth your time swapping them in. PLus, the closed knuckle will decrease your turning radius.

No sense in going through the motions unless you are actually going to upgrade....

[J10Mike]

I did the J20 axle swap into my J10. I'm happy with it and the axles work for my needs. And, with having 36s, that's as large as I want to go. I'll probably be going back to 35s when the right tires come around.

[Mikel]

Avoid the M715 axles.

[FSJeeper]

Originally posted by Mikel:
Avoid the M715 axles.Yep, they are not a boltin, steering setup is different. Drum brakes. Oddball bolt pattern. Terrible turning ratio. A lot wider than civy axles. 5.88 gearing. And even if you did get them installed right with all that work, the axle shaft diameter in the front and rear Dana 70 necks down to the Dana 44 size axle shaft so you have not gained much.

[orangecherokee]

yeah i was thinking if you ran 35-36 you'd be ok with the J20 axles if you already had a set picked out. just run a set of rocks and be done with it. seems to be the trend and they're cheaper than finding a set of 60s.

[ncjeepers]

yeah, every truck needs rockwells :rolleyes: