Basphemy? A crime against the Jeep?

I am considering Samurai axles under my CJ, my reasons are many. They are inexpensive, plentiful, same bolt pattern(I think, please clarify if I am wrong) they are within a few inches of the original, they have the same diff location, they have a ton of aftermarket parts available. If I want to go run the Rubicon and Fordyce with 33s and a front locker, i don't think the 25/27(not sure which) will handle it, plus, I think locker availability is minimal. I thought of going to scout or Toyota axles but they seem so much wider than my stock axles and i don't want them sticking out too much.

Thoughts

EDIT: BLASPHEMY, LOL

 

I've had 3 different sets of running gear under my ECJ5. All jeep of different configurations and vintage. I’d suggest you stay in the jeep family, plenty of easy swap options and many upgrades available. I don’t know much about Suk axles but conventional thought would be it will reduce the value of your jeep. If you want wider axles – wide track (from 82-86 CJ7) will work with little mods. I have this set up under my ECJ5 now. I run 10.5 tires so the width isn’t too much for me, but I get really nice brakes and if you can find a 44 rear in the wide track (they’re out there just have to look) durability is there too.

 

The Suzuki Axles have a great following and are great under a Suzuki which is lighter and even smaller than an Early CJ, but they are also weaker. That's why there are so many conversions to Toyota axles for them.
The Suzuki wheel lug pattern is the same as CJ by the way. I agree with above, just do some mild Jeep parts upgrades. You'll be much stronger than the Suzi axles.

 

I owned a samurai for 2 years and ran 31 1150 15 LTB's never broke and was spooled in the rear and open up front. The front axle has a birfield joint instead of a u joint strong untill you turn and gas at the same time then bang. I know several people with samurai's and as i was are always looking for toy axles. I would never go over 31's on zuk axles plus the housing tubes bend easy. That said im going to go wagoneer 44s front and rear as soon as the little issues are fixed on mine.

 

sounds inconvenient to me.

Ford Ranger (the small pick-up) axles would be closer than Suzuki, and are stronger, wouldn't they?

 

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57976

 

Blasphemy is right but, who am I to judge. Fresh ideas are always interesting at the very least. Hard to beat a 44 rear and a 30's can be pretty decent with some minor upgrades. They're actually not bad in stock form if you treat them right.

 

I ran a Sammy with 33x15.5 swapers, a heavly modded motor, 4.56's and a locker in the rear. Thrashed the heck out of it and never had a problem. One thing I like about zuki axles is both fromt and rear use thrid members. Gears are avaliable up to the mid 5.xx's, lunch box lockers are fairly cheap. Bolt pattern is a 5x5.5 and front is disc and rear is easy to disc. I woud put them in any pre cj5 jeep and run them. I'd run them hard.

 

one thing i forgot to say is zuk axles on 31 have the same clearance as a d30 on 33 just dont like the birfield joint in the front.

 

My reasoning is that I can pick up pair of sammi axles for less than it would cost me to put discs on the 27, with some 31s. Since I am putting a 231 and sm420 in there, i will already need d shafts and there are super birfs available for these and a ton of aftermarket support. i'm on the fence here, I'm gonna go check the axles out, maybe take em, maybe not.


BTW, there is a 59(I think) on Sacramento craigslist right now, no engine, $575. it isn't mine, but I thought I'd pass it along.