Beefing up AMC 20?

[RAMBLINFSJ]

How have you guys gone about beefing up the axle tubes on your Amc 20 rear axles. I would like to know the right ways about gusseting and welding the axle tubes to the center section.Pics would be great.

[Slick Willie]

Are you planning on jumping this vehicle? :D

Personally, I consider beefing up an AMC20 to be "polishing a turd". You can truss the axle, re-weld the seams, etc. and you still have a 1/2 ton pinion and axle shafts. Then you look into cost vs. benefit.

But if you're set on doing it, my friend down here has a shop and beefed up an AMC20 back in June. Check out the pics:

http://www.longhornoffroad.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005479

[RAMBLINFSJ]

JUMPING:rolleyes: You never know!
Thanks for the pics! Anyway, I think it's a decent axle. When you're talking cost to benefit: First,the axle's there and I bought it with the truck. Second, I have scrap iron layin' around. So got all that covered.

I'm just getting things beefed up so I don't have to jack with it later. Just piece of mind. Thank again for the pics.

[Heimeken]

The pics are for a spring under M20, though the idea is there. I don't see any difference in the approach to beefing up any other rear axle. :cool:

[HorribleHarry]

So you would waste money "beefing up" an inferior D44? :D
That AMC 20 will be FINE.
Four welds around the diameter will hold the tubes tightly, 90 degrees apart half inch long each.
Or if you decide to add a gussett, the gusset does not have to be huge, just enough to get you a couple of inches of hold on either side.

Harry

[RAMBLINFSJ]

Thank you HorribleHarry. You're not so horrible at all.
I think that when your a poorboy like me, you use what you got and smile about it!

[Heimeken]

Nope, that is not what I meant. The approach in beefing up axle tubes is not much different for any solid axle.

[tgreese]

:confused:

From what I've read here, the AMC Corporate axle used in Wagons and J-10s is a stronger axle than the flanged 44 used in the '70s. The FSJ 20 has 1-piece axles, and has heavier tubes than the 20 used in CJs. You shouldn't assume that the bad reputation of the CJ 20 applies to the FSJ axles.

[irishjeeper]

Nothin wrong with a model 20 just as strong as a 9" ford just guset and weld the tubes and call it done,theres a guy up here w/ 44 frt and 20 rr from a FSJ in a CJ7 abusing them on a regular bases and he's running 36" or 38" IROKs as a mater of fact he is justin'sbigred7 on here.PM him and ask him how he likes them and what he did to his he will give you the strait scoop.