fj62 axles in YJ

[tekach]

Hi all,

Hopefully your knowledge about 60 series TLC will point me in the right direction.

I am trying to build a budget desert racing vehicle. Situation - I've got YJ 4.0 with ax15 transmission and np231 t/c. I have already bought the FF axles from TLC HJ62 (diesel version of fj62 in Europe, both front and rear are offset to passenger side while np231 has driver side front and center rear as you know).

I have to find a way for these axles to work with the engine. I don't mind swaping the transmission or using adapters.

One way of doing it is using Dana18 t/c, but would be happier to use toyota LC t/c (and, if needed, transmisison).

Is anyone aware of a combination and/or adapter that would work? Does anyone know model nr of the Fj62 t/c?

Thanks for your input.
Andrew

 

[ntsqd]

Were you planning on fabricating the necessary brackets to mount the LC axles to the XJ's front suspension?

What racing org are you intending to race under? That may or may not have a huge impact on what you can do.

Frankly, I think that you're going at it wrong. The game in desert racing (as opposed to "rock racing") isn't necessarily maximum axle strength - it's minimum but sufficient unsprung weight coupled with extensive shock tuning.
The stock YJ front axle, properly trussed, is up to normal racing use since it is rarely more than a wheel & tire carrier - the weak ring & pinion aren't a factor and the stock axle has the huge weight advantage over the LC parts. Which means that your shocks won't be working as hard or be as hard to tune. Witness all of the Jeep Speed XJ's out there. With the YJ's wheel base you won't be setting any lap records anyway.
Depending on what existing rear axle you have and what tire size you plan to run, it may need help. The easy solution there, given the YJ's rear leaf springs, is a 9" Ford. Unless you're morally opposed to them for some reason. If the existing is a Dana 44 and you're going to stay under a 35" tire then the R&P are probably up to the job for a season or so. You'll break axles once in a while. Truss it and move on to the next thing.

 

[Scotty]

You need a D300 for the Tcase. Novak Adpaters sells a small spacer to adapt it. Piece of cake.

FWIW, I have put an FJ60 front axle into a CJ7 in a spring under setup. Its not all that hard. The rig was designed for Glamis type runs, and last I heard he still hadn't broken anything after a couple years of use.

 

[tekach]

thanks for advices

Gentlemen, thanks for advices.

@ntsqd: you have a good point there (weight, swb). But while swb is "bad" for speeding, it's good for driving over dunes, especially short / small ones (like the ones in Tunisia).

I am talking about races like ERG Oriental Rally, Touareg Rally, Libya desert challenge. You can regulary see SWB vehicles in those competitions (anything, but Jeep, that is As far as I can tell, those races are both about speed and endurance. Since I wont be able to compete with the big boys and their serious machines, I'd at least like to finish the race. I have broken dana35 shaft in Sahara already and I don't want it to happen again....


@Scotty: I'd love to use dana300 with it's fancy twin sticks, but am concerned about the rear output. Dana300 has a centered output while fj62 rear axle has an offset pumpkin. Wouldn't mating those two components together make too steep driveshaft angle?

Best regards,
Andrew

 

[ntsqd]

Sounds like the LC's "Split Case" transfer case is what you need. If the YJ has the Aisin transmission (AX-5 ?) then one of Marlin's toybox adapters might just do the trick.

 

[Scotty]

Gentlemen, thanks for advices.

@ntsqd: you have a good point there (weight, swb). But while swb is "bad" for speeding, it's good for driving over dunes, especially short / small ones (like the ones in Tunisia).

I am talking about races like ERG Oriental Rally, Touareg Rally, Libya desert challenge. You can regulary see SWB vehicles in those competitions (anything, but Jeep, that is As far as I can tell, those races are both about speed and endurance. Since I wont be able to compete with the big boys and their serious machines, I'd at least like to finish the race. I have broken dana35 shaft in Sahara already and I don't want it to happen again....


@Scotty: I'd love to use dana300 with it's fancy twin sticks, but am concerned about the rear output. Dana300 has a centered output while fj62 rear axle has an offset pumpkin. Wouldn't mating those two components together make too steep driveshaft angle?

Best regards,
Andrew

Run a D44 rear out of a low 80s Cherokee or Wagoneer. Same width, same bolt pattern, and plenty strong.

 

[tekach]

I'd like to keep the existing FF rear axle I already have (cost, strenght, matched pair). Any other idea?