Did some 71s have a centered rear axle?

I've seen people use a 20 from a Jeepster/Commando with the short single stick shifter and it comes out pretty close to the stock twin stick location if the right transmission is used.

 

That's a '72-73 style TC shifter, for a Dana 20.

 

You do realize the gas tank seems to be missing, don't you?

And I hope he has the air-cleaner, also.

Not sure it is worth $1200, although, if it actually does run, I would probably snatch it up.

Also the windshield may not be the right year either, but I would go for it because the wipers on the bottom raises the glass, making it easier to see stop lights.

 

Thought occured.

Did the '69/'79/'71 DJ have a D-44 centered rear axle?

 

Yes.

If it started life as a DJ, that would show up in the VIN.

 

Then if some one came up with a passenger drop front axle, drive shaft, and a D-20 TC, then converting from rear wheel drive to 4 wheel drive would be a distinct possibility, would it not?

 

I suppose. I don't know what else is involved. Theoretically you could swap in a D20 and front axle. Not certain that the ratio of the DJ rear axle will match the CJ ratios - seems unlikely. So it might be easier, if you had such a DJ, to find a CJ chassis and set the body on, rather than try to convert the DJ chassis to 4WD. Just speculating here ... I recall that one of the Jeep magazines had an article about making a 4-wheeler out of a postal, so it seems like it should be possible.

 

Actually you wouldn't be able to, would you. At least not with the axles available to up to '71 CJ5's. The steering gear is in the way. Which means the D-20 wouldn't work either, would it.

 

Huh? Are you assuming that a DJ would be right-hand drive? Nearly all the Postals were, but I believe DJ does not necessarily imply RHD. If you did have a RHD DJ, I'd guess the best route would be to put the body on a CJ chassis.

 

Those are the only ones I have ever seen. RHD.

 

Like Timgr said, DJ's came in both flavors, rhd and lhd. A buddy years ago turned a lhd '71 DJ-5 into 4 wheel drive. He replaced the 2 wheel drive auto with a T-18 and 20 transfer case, added a 30 front axle, and swapped to Saginaw steering just because it was easy to do. It was a simple conversion and worked quite well. Iirc later they converted the slider doors to swing outs so they could lift it and get larger tires under it without having door issues.

 

I think some are making it too complex. All the owner had to do was swap a D20 for the original D18. Then get a centered 44 out of a Jeepster or intermediate. Everything should line up fine. The gears were probably all 3.73s- a pretty common gearing at the time.

Never say never with a jeep, but postals ran centered, flanged 44s with 3.73s and trak-loks. The axle was spring over and the springs were mounted outboard of the frame. Outboard because the postals were so top heavy. Shock mounts could vary. Only the late postals (circa '83) ran a different rear axle. If the owner of the '71 ('69?) was running a DJ D44, he'd have to change the spring perches- no big deal, but the DJ axle won't bolt up to a CJ frame without some work. Best and easiest to work with a jeepster or int axle.

As 2x4s, the postals had solid front axles. The early ones were Dana 25/27 width. The later ones were same width as the D30 and look just like a 30 minus the pumpkin and axle shafts. This axle had 2-hole steering knuckles on both sides to accommodate either LHD or RHD. Along with the outboarded rear springs, the wider front axle helped with the top heavy nature of the postals.

As Nick points out, it's not a tough conversion to 4x4, but who wants such a top-heavy body on a wheeling rig?