Truetracs Get Along
Just Fine With CAD
I am preparing to change the gears in my '98 11/42-ton Dodge to 4.10s and would like to know what other axle upgrades could be done at the same time. The truck is a daily driver with 285/75R16 tires and no lift. Reliability is my greatest concern. This truck is not a rockcrawler but must be capable of extended highway driving and negotiating bad logging roads. I am particularly interested in converting to manual hubs but have been unable to find a conversion kit.
Another point I am concerned about is the fact that I can find only 4.09 gears for the Dana 44 front, and 4.10 gears for the Chrysler 911/44 rear axle. Will this small difference be significant? Also, I would like to install a Truetrac limited slip differential but I don't want to create additional front driveline drag in two-wheel drive. Would this unit cause drag with the central axle disconnect (CAD) axle?
C. R. Newland
Pineville, LA
Don't worry about running 4.09s in one axle and 4.10s in the rear. The two ratios are so close to each other that it won't matter. When we looked into a hub conversion for your uni-bearing equipped truck we learned that Dynatrac (714/596-4461, www.dynatrac.com) and Right Gear & Axle (800/99-RIGHT, www.rightgear.com) both have manual locking hub conversions for '94-'02 Dodge Dana 60s, but not for your Dana 44. It is possible to convert to manual locking hubs using older Dana 44 stub axles, knuckles, spindles, and bearings, but your truck's ABS will not work unless you are able to adapt the tone rings and speed sensors from your current wheel bearings. Having manual locking hubs would be a nice upgrade, but our experience with a '94 Dodge 11/42-ton and a Truetrac tells us you might not feel any drag from the differential when in two-wheel drive, but the front driveshaft may now turn so there is a chance for vibration. For your application we think the gears and Truetrac are really the only front axle modifications you'll need.
Keep It Simple Your First Time AroundI just bought my first Jeep, a '76 CJ-5. It has the AMC 304 in it (runs, but smokes). I am doing a frame-off restoration. I already have it apart and am about to POR-15 the frame. I was wondering what your opinion was on the engine. Should I keep the AMC or swap in a Chevy? What are the advantages or disadvantages to each engine? I will do most of the work myself.
My second question is about my axles. I currently have the AMC 20 in the rear and the Dana 30 up front; both have drum brakes. I think I want four-wheel disc brakes. Would I be better off swapping axles or upgrading the ones I have (disc brake conversion, one-piece axles, and so on)? I read in one of my books about the Ford 9-inch being a good axle for both front and rear on the CJs. I was wondering if there are any versions that bolt right in or if I would need to have one custom built.
D.A.G.
Daytona, FL
This is your first Jeep, so we think you should keep it simple until you gain more experience with your rig, your off-road needs, and your performance goals. Since you already have a V-8 we suggest you keep the AMC engine and just rebuild it. Even though it costs more to build an AMC engine than a Chevy small-block, you have to keep in mind that the money you'd need to spend on engine adapters, accessories and brackets, and a suitable 350 could buy a lot of performance for your 304. We bet you'll be perfectly happy with your 304 after you add a four-barrel intake, maybe some headers, and electronic ignition. You could always step up to an AMC 360 or 401 if you think you need that much power.