[k1llerkyle]

I currently have a 76 CJ7 narrowtrack and I want to widen and strengthen. Can I swap in a wagnoeer D44 front and rear? I believe that widens it about 8 inches, and should have the right passenger side drop. If anyone has done this, can you show me a picture? I dont want the wheels to stick waaaaaaaaaay out.

Thanks
Kyle.

[ksheffer08]

if your just looking for a picture your in the wrong section.

people do it all the time actually, you will need a full width kit. (unless you want to narrow the axles) lots of write ups around if you search.

also if its too wide for your taste, you can always get rims with more backspacing to narrow it about a bit.

[PavementPounder]

Wagoneer (FSJ NT's) are a nice choice for CJ's. They won't stick way out and it can be kept under control with high-backspaced wheels as already mentioned.

[k1llerkyle]

So do you think the wagoneer widetrack at like 59 inches is too wide for the CJ7? I found a good front and rear matching pair for 350. with disc front brakes.

[CSP]

No such thing as Wagoneer wide track. Wagoneers were all narrow track in respect to full size Jeep wide and narrow.

Whether they are too wide or not is a personal thing. My front axle is 65.5" and the rear is 63.5 and I find them to be perfect. The next guy might not like my setup though.

[k1llerkyle]

Originally Posted by CSP

No such thing as Wagoneer wide track. Wagoneers were all narrow track in respect to full size Jeep wide and narrow.

Whether they are too wide or not is a personal thing. My front axle is 65.5" and the rear is 63.5 and I find them to be perfect. The next guy might not like my setup though.

Sorry you are correct... the earlier wagoneers had narrower axles.. this is what I was referring to. :-P

[CSP]

How earlier are you talking?

Any D44 front in a Waggie is going to be the same width, regardless of the year. They started using them in '74 so possibly you're referring to years prior to that.

A Waggie front 44 is about 62" WMS to WMS and rears are about 59". You have to watch for offset diffs on the rear 44s unless you mix and match years to get a centered rear 44 from an '86-91 year.

[PavementPounder]

Originally Posted by CSP

They started using them in '74 so possibly you're referring to years prior to that.

x2. You don't want to mess with anything prior to 1974. You'll end up with front drums or even closed knuckles. Not worth it at all.

To the OP: People frequently confuse CJ NT & WT axles with FSJ NT & WT axles. FSJ NT axles are not CJ WT's. They are 4 different groups of widths (WMS). CSP is correct in saying that FSJ NTs (Wagoneers and very few Cherokees) didn't change from 74-up. He's also correct regarding the comment about mixing/matching axles. Its a PITA finding a 79-down Wagoneer with a Dana 20 that would have a centered D44 rear axle. A lot of people end up getting a 79-down Wagoneer front and an 86-up Grand Wagoneer rear.

[BIG REED]

pics for comparison.
before - with '77 NT stock axles, 33x12.50 tires (unknown backspacing)

after wag swap with '76 wag axles 35x14.50 tires (unknown backspacing)


these are not the best pics - but i never seem to end up with pics of the jeep on level ground
if you click on them and go to webshots page you can view them quite a bit larger.

as far as the offset rear axles that came stock in most wags - as long as you are within your joint's operational angles they do not care if you are running toward an offset diff.
for what its worth i ran a stock wagoneer front driveshaft for my rear driveshaft with the centered dana 20 with no problems for quite a while until i installed the spicer 18 t-case.

[k1llerkyle]

THANKS for the pics that helps