Horrible Vibration

I own a 64 CJ5 with a Chevy 350 and TH350 Tranny. First off, I had to remove the offset rear end becuase the axles were shot, and the gears were done for. I swapped in my 74 CJ5 centered Dana 44 rear axle. Unfortunately, as you can see, my Dana 18 transfer case and the centered rear end don't match up perfectly. My drive shaft is at an awkward angle. I think this is causing my vibration. Do I need to lengthen my drive shaft or just try and find an offset rear end? I'd like to keep the Dana 44. btw, my drive shaft is only about 16 or 18 inches long. Help, please.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/jatayl/driveshaft4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/jatayl/driveshaft3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/jatayl/driveshaft2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v399/jatayl/Driveshaft1.jpg
Thanks,
TAZ

 

It seems to me that you could take the dana 20 t-case from the 74 with the centered rear output. It will bolt up where you now have the d18. If you don't have it you should be able to find one. I wouldn't spend much time trying to get the d18 to work with the centered 44. YMMV.
It's often said that an automatic is too long to easily work well with a CJ5 but some people say it can work.

 

Unfortunately, I've tried the Dana 20 transfer case, and it wouldn't fit because of the transmission. Plus, I have to lengthen my front drive shaft to get it to work. Something on the side of the transmission was hitting the Dana 20 when I tried to put it in. That was my original plan.

Thanks,
TAZ

 

CV rear driveshaft and an offset 44, that looks like it will help to take care of the vib, from the pictures it looks like the axle is shimed right it is just the horrific angle at the T-case that makes me say at least a CV at that yoke.

 

Is it just a matter of finding a CV driveshaft to fit in it's place, or are there other modifications to make for the CV to work?

TAZ

 

I believe someone makes a dual CV driveshaft that is able to handle compound angles.

 

I believe you need a different rear yoke, but don't quote me on that. Really I should know since I am going to need to do a rear CV shaft also because of my 4 speed tranny.

 

I believe you when you say the d20 won't fit but I'm just trying to figure out why? On the front (tranny side) I can't see any difference between the 20 & 18.
Just curious.

 

Well, it's not that the transfer case itself wouldn't fit. It's the shifters. They won't fit because of the transmission. The shifter mount on the transfer case rubs against the transmission.

 

The shifter housing from the Dana 18 can be swapped onto the Dana 20.

 

I think it would be much cheaper to use my Dana 20 transfer case, and lengthen my front drive shaft, as opposed to getting a double cv shaft for the rear.

TAZ

 

Ok, I'll bite. Why would the front driveshaft be longer with the d20 vs the d18? The front end is the same for both.

 

The yokes are different from the Dana 18 to the Dana 20.

 

I have a dana 20 front yoke on my dana 18 to hook to my dana 30 front axle. The v6 used the small front yoke the 4 cylinder models have the large yoke that is standard on the dana 20. Has the rear housing on your dana 18 been swapped, cause thats not a stock dana 18 rear housing, the big bulbous cast arm is not factory Jeep to my knowledge, was this swapped to get rid of the rear brake drum. Why is the dana 18 clocked so low or is this just the picture, that case looks to hang a good 2" lower on the passenger side then the factory setup.

If it were me I would fix the factory offset axle.

 

Ok, so why not change the yokes? Worst case you could have the driveshaft changed to match the yoke you want to use.

I guess the point of this is that it's way easier to use the d20 with a centered rear axle. And, it's easier to change the t-case stuff than change back to an offset axle.

 

I don't know about the history of this rig except that I bought it off a guy in Houston, Texas, and he bought it from a guy in Alabama, but it was registered in California. It's been around.

Thanks,
TAZ

 

Well, the Dana 18 transfer case has a longer front output shaft than the Dana 20. Can I just take the 5 bolts loose from both transfer cases where the shifter connects to the main parts of the case and just swap them? Does the Dana 18 front output shaft interchange with the Dana 20 front output shaft? They'll have to be swapped for it to work, since the Dana 20 front output shaft is way shorter.

What ya think?

TAZ

 

TAZ,
Ya got me on this one. The only difference I've seen between the two are the yoke size. I guess the large yoke could be longer then the small yoke but not enough to require a different driveshaft length usually.
I'm probably missing something here but my experience is limited.
If you haven't already, go the the Novak web site. And, give Herm a call. Someone else here may have an answer.
To answer your question. Yes, you can bolt up either case and yes the bolt pattern is the same. The gears are not the same so you'll have to swap the input gear also. There's a good chart with this info on the Novak site.
If "the Dana 20 front output shaft is way shorter" I'm beginning to wonder if you're really comparing an 18 and a 20. Perhaps some pictures would help.

 

what was wrong w/offset axle? would go this route before any "hybrid" transfer deal.