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View Full Version : J20 axles into a J10

FSJ-Earl
03-09-2009, 09:04 AM
I am swapping some J20 axles into a J10 for my trail rig. I am pretty sure that they are a direct swap, please correct me if I am wrong. My question is that the steering on the J20 axles is bent (tie rod - the part that goes from knuckle to knuckle) and I am wondering is the tie rod currently on the D44 in the J10 is the same as the bent tie rod on the HD44 (minus the bend) and if I can just swap them. THANKS!
Headhoncho
03-09-2009, 10:19 AM
I don't think it will be the same. You could call an auto parts store and see if the p/n's are the same.

How bent is the old tie rod? If it's a trail rig then it should hold if the bend isn't too extreme before it's been straightened.



JR
Elliott
03-09-2009, 10:31 AM
I think they are the same, as far as I know the knuckles are the same. The tie ends aren't as big/same taper as one ton GM. I could check my parts list when I get off work if needed.
jeeping1974
03-09-2009, 03:23 PM
The steering linkage between my 74 j10 and a 79 j20 that i use to have were the same, so as long as you have the same diff drop they should be fine.
j10jim
03-10-2009, 10:28 PM
All the same. They bolt in. So yes swap out the tierod and your good to go.
TPICherokee
03-11-2009, 08:14 AM
Yep, they are the same. Even if the diff drop is different, they are still the same, depending on which one you might have to flip it over.
tribeof5
03-11-2009, 08:08 PM
okay. do you guys think a swap like this is neccessary for a dd and light weekend wheeler running 35s and a 360. trying to decide if i wanna do same swap. problem is I just bought new wheels for a great price for my half tons.
Tad
03-11-2009, 08:30 PM
okay. do you guys think a swap like this is neccessary for a dd and light weekend wheeler running 35s and a 360. trying to decide if i wanna do same swap. problem is I just bought new wheels for a great price for my half tons. Not at all for a light duty wheeler.

Personally, I would never install a FSJ rear D60.
Not because they are bad, simply because they are not a cheap rear axle.
You might get one cheap (I don't think they are worth more than $50 personally, but that's just me).
If going heavier than a D44, I would do a 14 bolt all over again x2.
Parts are cheap, readily available in any town with say more than 15K people.

The whole "14-Bolt is a dragger" does not work for me, shave it a bit, good to go. Try to find a FSJ rear D60 axle shaft in a town with 30K people.
Be better off paying for AAA.
badaboom
03-11-2009, 08:46 PM
D60 weigh ALOT
jeeping1974
03-12-2009, 02:56 AM
I would keep teh D44 with 35s and a 360.

Uless you plan on beating the snot out of it, the D44s should live just fine.
tribeof5
03-15-2009, 07:44 PM
thanks for the info. i guess i will just keep what i have for a while. if it breaks i can worry about it then.
tribeof5
03-15-2009, 08:19 PM
forgot mention that my current rear axle is the amc 20. dont know if that matters. im just lookin for input. my wife keeps tellin to just drive it the way it is. i just want it to be right in the end. i have found axles from a j20 with 3.73 gears and open diffs. my stock axles are 3.31 i think.
Headhoncho
03-15-2009, 08:58 PM
forgot mention that my current rear axle is the amc 20. dont know if that matters. im just lookin for input. my wife keeps tellin to just drive it the way it is. i just want it to be right in the end. i have found axles from a j20 with 3.73 gears and open diffs. my stock axles are 3.31 i think.

The AMC 20 is a good axle comparable to the D44. I would keep it. As far as the J20 axles, if the price is right, buy them and either save for the future or turn 'em around and make a few bucks. Are they open knuckle with disc brakes? If so they won't be hard at all to sell.


JR
Elliott
03-15-2009, 09:05 PM
Swap it and go with the full float rear. If you are a light duty wheeler you will never have to look for a spare shaft if you maintain your equipment. I picked up a set for my '80 Sportside I'm stashing parts to build. There is no comparison between the durability of an AMC 20 and the full float D60. It's worth it just for the gear swap you won't have to do.
JERSEY JOE
03-15-2009, 09:20 PM
I agree with Elliott 100%.
sappy76
03-16-2009, 06:54 AM
Making the swap myself, even though my Chief is a DD and weekend warrior. For the past 10 years I've been thinking about the full floater and I finally have the parts and time to make the swap. If nothing else, I can stop thinking about it. Also, going from 3.54s to 3.73s is the right direction for me.