Another axle question thread

Once again, I'm on the fence about my '71 build. I've got a line on several axles that I could use. First up is a d44 rear from a QT waggy. 59" WMS to WMS and the correct offset. I can pair this up with a front D44 from a Chief, which I think is 65" WMS to WMS. I could also get a Scout D44 front and cut down the long side. The Scout is a housing only at this time.

Is the Chief front going to be too wide? I don't want the entire tire sticking out past the flares. Maybe I could just get wider flares? The Scout housing is an attractive idea because I can make it the width I want, but it is also more fab work on the axle. Any thoughts? I'll probably run 35x10.5 boggers or 36-37" IROKs. I'd add spacers on the rear to match the front if I go Waggy/Chief axles.

 

Chief will be way wide. Stock Jeeps are WMS to WMS of around 53-55inches

 

I realize the Chief will be wide. Right now my tires rub the springs at full lock, so the wider axles would help this. I could run a different offset to bring the track closer to stock as well.

 

I agree, the Chief axle is way too wide. Scout axles don't work well because they don't have any castor built into them so you have to contend with that along with everything else. I believe Wrangler YJ WMS to WMS is about 60" just for reference. I would either cut down the Chief axle or wait for a matching Waggy front.

 

What years did waggies have narrow trac axels?