Moab J-20

[dcgayhart]

I have been wheeling in Moab for many years. Sold my highly modified TJ several years ago. Now I want to build a J-20 for Moab. Why, because you rarely see one.
I trying to figure out which year is best to start with. I love the J Series because of the look and Dana 44 & 60 Axles, which will work nicely with 37" tires geared to 4.88 or higher with high strength axles. I just found out the Quadra-trac equipped years have the rear differential offset to the passenger side. Extra work to move back to center!
Probably will replace the installed T-case if unserviceable with an Atlas and add ARB lockers to diffs. I've been looking for the shorter wheel base but those are rare. If I get a 132" wb I will shorten the frame by 12" ahead of the rear spring mount if I don't do "coil-overs" I have no problem with the original V8"s but if it's to far gone would upgrade to an LS.

So what year J-20 should I look for?

Danny G

[Yeller]

I see a lot of "have to get a centered rear" to get away from the quadratrack, just isn't necessary. doesn't affect drivability and improves trail performance, if you hit the diff it only lifts 1 tire and not both . Me 74 or newer would be my choice, fewer parts to swap and source, I bought a 70 because it was in fantastic shape but am now in process of replacing both axles to update them for strength and turning radius, doing some suspension wizardry as well

Even the "centered" diff isn't so centered, it is still offset 3-1/2" to clear the fuel tank with the drive shaft.

[Stuka]

The only J20's with centered rear axles are 80+, and they are the hardest ones to find as the fewest of them were made.

However, J20's used the same rear axle for both D20 and QT equipped t-cases. Its not as offset as the Wagoneer QT rear axles were. So you can still easily use a centered output t-case. The rear drive shaft is long enough that the offset wont matter much.

However, if you are bobbing the frame, there is no reason to get a J20, as they are ALL 132" wheelbase. Just find a short bed J10 that already has a 119" wheelbase and put whatever axles you want under it.

[dcgayhart]

I haven't been looking to long but have not seen a short bed truck yet. Shortening frame is cheap compared to buying different axles.