131 1303 07 Work Jeep Feature Rear Dana 60 Axle - Photo 41408807

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The rear Dana 60 uses Strange shafts and Warn full-float hubs with drive flanges. It also mounts a Strange spool with 4.10 gears. The rear suspension is a three-link built by John Conrad using Sway-a-Way coilovers. The TF-727 trans and Dana 300 transfer case are protected by a skidplate.

Though it’s built like a prerunner or a competition vehicle (and performs as well as many), it has the space for several mounted tires, tools, and spare parts. The CJ-8–like body cladding is fiberglass, which JB’s 4x4 had specially made.

The 401 was built to produce 425 hp but with a broad torque range that extends well into the higher rpm. Machining was done by Phil’s Machine Shop in Danville, Illinois. The block was bored 0.040 over and given TRW piston with a 10.5:1 compression ratio. It uses massaged factory dogleg-port AMC heads with valves that are popped by a Comp Cams Magnum 280H cam via Comp Cams roller rockers. A Quick Fuel four-barrel supplies fuel through an Edelbrock Airgap intake manifold. An MSD distributor makes the fire, and the truck uses a dual ignition system to make sure heat, water, or dirt doesn’t stop the truck. The well-used exhaust exits through headers built by John Conrad at JB’s 4x4 and through a custom dual exhaust system. The engine mounts a compressor and a Premier Power Welder.

Below the cargo basket are dual Optimas, a big air tank, and a 32-gallon fuel cell. The trans and engine oil coolers mount behind the seats. The complex tube and metal work is a specialty for JB’s 4x4.

The interior sports seats from PRP and gauges from Auto Meter. At a race, the Jeep is fitted with CB and FM radios, as well as Lowrance for navigation. A Premier Power Welder provides welding capability, and its high output alternator provides juice to almost a dozen off-road and work lights.

The front suspension is a three-link design that uses a triangular lower link mounted to the center of the axle from the frame. All the arms are custom made and use Heim joints or high-quality poly bushings. The coilovers and bypass shocks are Sway-a-Way Racerunners, and the hydraulic bumpsstops are also from Sway-a-Way. The springs are Eibachs with sway bars from Speedway Engineering. Note how the front chassis swoops up over the axle. This is because the front section is actually the rear of a CJ-8 chassis. This suspension has lots of up and down travel but is not designed for great articulation. The front axle is a high-pinion Dana 44 with a Powr-Lok limited slip. The steering box is a familiar Jeep Saginaw box mounted well back in the chassis. The drag link connects to a bellcrank on top of the axle, which operates a second drag link to the passenger steering knuckle.

The rear Dana 60 uses Strange shafts and Warn full-float hubs with drive flanges. It also mounts a Strange spool with 4.10 gears. The rear suspension is a three-link built by John Conrad using Sway-a-Way coilovers. The TF-727 trans and Dana 300 transfer case are protected by a skidplate.