AMC 20 axles

I heard the AMC 20's are pretty tough if you put the one piece axles in them. Is this true?

 

Really should truss the axle tubes as well and weld the tubes to the housing. They can bend otherwise.

The Ring and Pinion are very strong as well as the centeral housing.

 

So truss the tubes, weld it all up, and one piece axles = tough 20.

 

Not to highjack the thread, but can the two-pieces shaft be welded somehow to creat a stronger shaft ? I'm asking because I have an AMC 20 in my driveway, and a .long winter in front of me.....

Bob

 

I thought about that too, but then I got to thinking that just welding it and grinding it down might throw it off balance enough to wear out bearings and seals. I think you can get a one piece set for under $200.

 

Sweet more welding. Do you have a picture of this? (truss)

Thanks.

 

The AMC Corporate 23 (AMC 20 used in Wagoneers and J-10s) is a good axle, said to be stronger than the comparable 44. The only differences between the 20 and 23 is the tube thickness and that the 23 flanges are welded to the tapered axles.

 

May try to do this with the 20 I've got.

 

I have never done it but I have seen the end product. You want the truss to attach to the central housing and then to the tubes outboard of the springs if possible. Over the axle will let you keep the ground clearance. I would proabably still go with 1 piece axles over welding the tapered shafts.

Sorry but do not have a picture of this.

 

Something like this?

 

I'm not going rock climbing. I just put around the woods and through the occasional nasty sloppy ol river swamp mudhole. And I'll never have anything bigger than 36" tires on it, most probably gonna stay with 33's.

 

I'm running Waggy 20 (AMC23 I guess, I hadn't heard that before). From building the axle, I can say that the Tube Wall thickness is no greater, but the Diameter of the tube is larger, in turn making the overall housing stronger. I'm running 36" Swampers with a "Miller locked" Diff. I'm not to worried about it.

I had a Narrow trac 20 with 2 pieces when I bought the CJ. When I pulled the shafts to put in One pieces, It took everything a 20 ton press had to get the shafts away from the flanges. Sounded like a shotgun went off in the shop when it came out. After Cleaning out my drawers, we torched the other one off to get the Backing plates.

With the one piece ($180 specials made by Omix Ada), a Lock Right, 32s, a warmed up 304 and a heavy foot.... I never had a complaint out of those One pieces.

I had a buddy with same set up as me, but he stayed 2 pieces and 35" Boggers. his throttle was either closed or Wide OPEN. they lasted a few trips before spinning the hubs. It's a toss up on if 2 pieces will hold or not. Putting around the woods with 33's, I wouldn't bother doing anything to it. Save you money for when you really do something like Wide track axles.

 

Well there you have it. The gears are welded up my 20 too. I feel better about running it now, because I've got the 30/20 out of the 77 that's ready to go. Considering that, all I really need is a wiring harness and a windshield glass swap and I'll be on the road. Considering the dents in the rear of the tub and my lack of fabrication skills I've decided to just paint the body the best I can and let it ride for now. I eventually want to get a NICE body for it, and then continue on with the full resto. I've also got a line on an old Dodge 4x4 military truck. Was thinking about snatching the axles from it, depending on what I can get em for. Don't want to spend all my money at once though. Getting ready to buy/build a house.

 

Don't go with the old style axles. They aren't necessarily any stronger than what you've got, and they are sure to have closed knuckles.

 

I was thinking more of taking the whole assembly, not just the axles. If I'm not mistaken, didn't those trucks have D60's?

 

depends on what "old" means... I know there were some 1.25 ton dodge pickups that the military used that would probably have 60's under them. They were 70's vintage...

 

I've got a M.O.R.E truss on mine. Here's the only pic I have of it.

 

Dude THANKS !!!!

You rock.

Tonight, I want you to walk up to a women and tell her Mad Max Reject told you it is all right for her to do what you want.

Yes, that mean clean your house. Wash those clothes and make you dinner. R)

 

Check out this article I found.

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/howto/71258/