Gilbert & Betty said
Have you took it for a spin? How do you like the new tires?

  

Yes i did, around the neighborhood and out on the freeway. I like the smoother ride and they are quite. The balancing beads are working great, I did feel a little vibration at 65mph. Yes I did say 65mph. It was flat and a Long straight section. I'm thinking, down hill I might even get Samurai warp-drive, 70mph.

Ok going to throw this out there.
I Just measured Timothy’s Dana 30 narrow track sitting in my garage. Hub Width, spring perches, and steering arms and diff alinement are exactly the same as the Samurai’s. 
Also his rear Dana 44 is the same width, perches and diff off set. 
And it’s a 5x5 1/2 lug pattern. 

Is there a reason that those wouldn’t work? Another set of course. 

kris_olof said

Specialsoundman said

Ok going to throw this out there.

I Just measured Timothy’s Dana 30 narrow track sitting in my garage. Hub Width, spring perches, and steering arms and diff alinement are exactly the same as the Samurai’s. 

Also his rear Dana 44 is the same width, perches and diff off set. 

And it’s a 5x5 1/2 lug pattern. 

Is there a reason that those wouldn’t work? Another set of course. 

  

Few things to note. First, the low pinion 30 really isnt an upgrade over the Sami axle.  Yes you can upgrade to bigger u-joints and hubs but the low pinion becomes the weak link.  Second, this doesn't address your width issue.  With your wheels you need to be running wider axles to get out of needing wheel spacers up front, this is a safety issue.  Waggy and toyota axles are the common swaps for a number of reasons.  Mainly that the width is perfect for the 35" tire range, the axles can handle the abuse, and appropriate gear ratios are available. 

As for getting upgraded axles onto 5x5.5 without doing custom axles, the easiest way I can see is to do a waggy axles and swap f150 hubs up front to get 5x5.5 and redrill the rear drums and shafts for 5x5.5.  If you don't want to re-drill the rear then from 1982 to 1986 they did make a few quadratrac CJ7s with an offset AMC 20 in 5x5.5.  I think the quadratrac AMC 20 is still a little narrower than the waggy front but should be close enough.

Other things to consider, while a quadratrac wide track AMC 20 will probably be free from anyone who has one, this axle has a big downside.  The lowest ratio currently available for the AMC20 is a 4.88 vs 5.38 on the dana 44s. (technically there are some lower gears for the dana 44 but the pinions get so small they are too weak to bother with)

I could see converting built waggy axles to 5x5.5 if you already have them for the "grins and giggles" or building custom axles as 5x5.5 for the purpose.  But Im not sure I see the benefit in your case.  If you want to swap parts with a CJ then build a CJ?

  

Kris, so you know, The spacers are coming OFF that is why I ordered the custom built wheels. I Put the new tires on with spacers just to see what it would look like.

So the width was not the issue, at least in my calculations. We'll see in the real world after the spacer removal. In fact with the wider width, I would have to do some major fender mods. The rear axle strength is the current concern. Front is already beefed up, outside and inside.

The ONLY reason i would "upgrade" the axle tube is for strength. THANK YOU !! for all the great input from you guys about doing an axle swap/upgrade.

I have worked up a plan that I will do first that will allow me to keep the lighter weight Samurai axle tubes. There is "now" rear axles shafts that are extra super strong, with doing axle tube beefing up and bracing, I'm calculating that It will be great. If not, then I will have to do a swap.

I also like the removable pumpkin of the Samurai, Can take just that to the diff shop to be set up, slap it back in and go.

The rear axle is due for rebuilding anyway. Seal leaks, the ring & pinion is due to be replaced. The current ring & pinion sets has 310,000 miles on them. Obviously the rear. Front set was installed at the same. Front is good.

The gear ratio to be used is 4.57, (what I am running now) the goal is to also install a ARB locker at the same time.

Well after the Prairie City Tire test, Had some rubbing issues. When The front compressed in a turn the Tire corner rubbed the body. So did a little mod and made clearance for the front tires.

Next will work on the back clearance.

Gilbert & Betty said
it still looks very nice Dave

  

Thanks Gil, It's always great when one can cut, pound, bend, wield on the body and it turns out good. I am fairly please with the way the front turned out looking. The test is...... will it rub? If it doesn't "then" I will be happy with this mod.