how do i tell what axles i have

[grimjeeper73]

sounds dumb i know, but i dont know how to tell what my axles are, and ive had a couple friends tell me different things so if someone could enlighten me on this subject it would be much appreciated

[bowtieman55]

SHOULD be a closed knuckle dana 44 up front with a Dana 53...maybe Dana 61 out back

[grimjeeper73]

it is closed knuckle up front thanks for the info

[fulsizjeep]

On J3000 and J4000 the axle types are determined by GVW.
The D53 was no longer used by 73. Open knuckle front axles started in 74 on FSJs.

GVW - Axles
5000 - D44 front and rear (5 lug)
6000 - D44 front, D60-2 semi-floater rear (5 lug)
7000 & 8000 - HD44 front and D60-3 full floater rear (8 lug)

I have occasions of mental lapse and forget things, but I am pretty sure this is accurate info. ;)

[bowtieman55]

yeah...Dana 60-2 if it's 5 lug...not 61

[grimjeeper73]

its a 5 lug

[Dmntxn77]

Post pics, and we will tell you for sure... :thumbsup:

[Keman]

Most of the Dana axles also have a number in the casting on the webbing between the axle tubes and the drive pinion input. (Mine had a nice clear 53 in the casting). Crawl under there with a flashlight and look around. You may also find a tag on one of the cover bolts that has your gearing stamped on it.

[grimjeeper73]

http://www.s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/grimjeeper73/?action=view&current=PICT1158.jpg



http://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp216/grimjeeper73/?action=view&current=PICT1159.jpg

[fulsizjeep]

Both axles are D44. With that, I would say you have a 5000 GVW J4000, also known as a J4500. Ryan and I stopped and looked at a 73 J4500 on Monday over between Pagosa Springs and Wolf Creek Pass on Monday. It was tutone pumkin orange and white with a plow on it. I would have been strung up for bringing it home even though I sorta lusted over it.

[grimjeeper73]

i don't know anything about axles are 44s good axles if they aren't what would you recommend

[fulsizjeep]

They are good up to about 35" tires, so some people say.
Drive it like you stole it :D

[Tonka J200]

Drive it like you stole it :D

From looking at his avatar, I think he's got that covered!

[fulsizjeep]

:D so, the next challenge is to be smoking all 4 tires ;)

[grimjeeper73]

well i got 2 accomplished so far check out my vids i took that motor out and realized it was a 304 so im not putting it back in gotta find a 360 or a 401
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO10GRaqloc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PreG0dedNnU&feature=related

[Chevelleguy]

Well your on the right track if you are trying to blow up the rear end. When you do 'one wheel peel', or a burn out with an open differential, the spider gear are spinning 90 to nuthin' and are not getting much lube (because they are not designed to do that). What ends up happening is the center pin seizes to the spider gears and will twist the pin in half. Next thing you hear is BOOM and CRUNCH! Then your looking for a new rear end.

[fulsizjeep]

LOL, yeah it looks like a blast until the kaboom. I have also seen ujoints grow wings and fly away under the same conditions. :eek:

[grimjeeper73]

thats the chance you take in order to have fun lol i have had worse happen to this truck.