Wide vs Narrow Track Axles

[JerseyMike]

I personally bought a sport s and not a max tow but I could have gone either way.....strength wise I don't think there is a difference (or if anything the narrow might be slightly stronger). the only difference I see is the width and 4.10 v 3.73. If I was using stock offset wheels with 35s then no question max tow would be great as I could live with 4.10s and no rubbing with the extra width. with aftermarket wheel offset (Mopar accessory wheels) the wider axles would be too much for my rig and the tire would stick out too far for my liking without rubicon fender flares. Also, I would love 4.56 or 4.88 over 4.10 with the bigger tires so despite the max tow being a bargain, for me the regular sport was perfect.

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[Giersz]

This is very strange - Are tehre any difference between narrow and wide axle on the axle?
I was checking VIN specs on this webpage:

https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=

You just exter VIN after = sign

And i was checking 2021 Overland EcoDiesel and it have:
Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
Dana M210 Wide Front Axle
3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
Conventional Differential Frt Axle

I thaught that Overland should have narrow Axle. How is it possible?
Can anyone check their Overland or EcoDiesel?

 

[LostWoods]

This is very strange - Are tehre any difference between narrow and wide axle on the axle?
I was checking VIN specs on this webpage:

https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=

You just exter VIN after = sign

And i was checking 2021 Overland EcoDiesel and it have:
Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
Dana M210 Wide Front Axle
3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
Conventional Differential Frt Axle

I thaught that Overland should have narrow Axle. How is it possible?
Can anyone check their Overland or EcoDiesel?

I'm fairly certain the diesel always gets the wide axles. I know this is the case with the JL with the diesel being the only way to get the D44s front and rear without a Rubicon package.

 

[kelkolb]

I'm fairly certain the diesel always gets the wide axles. I know this is the case with the JL with the diesel being the only way to get the D44s front and rear without a Rubicon package.

Correct. All Diesels get the wider 44's front and rear regardless of trim.

 

[F3Orangeman]

This is very strange - Are tehre any difference between narrow and wide axle on the axle?
I was checking VIN specs on this webpage:

https://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/BuildSheetServlet?vin=

You just exter VIN after = sign

And i was checking 2021 Overland EcoDiesel and it have:
Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System
Dana M210 Wide Front Axle
3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle
Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
Conventional Differential Frt Axle

I thaught that Overland should have narrow Axle. How is it possible?
Can anyone check their Overland or EcoDiesel?

So i ran my VIN on Overland ecoD, and i do not see wide track axels. I wonder if the build sheet you see is the High Altitude Overland ecoD? However, I don’t think the ecoD can have the SelecTrac Full-Time 4WD, so I’m thinking that maybe that build is the High Altitude gasser?

 

[CerOf]

I’ve read the diesel gets the same (stronger) knuckles as the Mojave.

Can anyone confirm?

 

[MrJeep]

While we are at it, does anyone definitively know why the wider axles would be better for towing? Google comes up with nothing. More leverage of the tires on the COG for sway control??

 

[kelkolb]

While we are at it, does anyone definitively know why the wider axles would be better for towing? Google comes up with nothing. More leverage of the tires on the COG for sway control??

Are you looking into a more specific answer than just stability?

 

[MrJeep]

Are you looking into a more specific answer than just stability?

Yes, I can't find anything specific on wider axles proving to be better to tow with and how but Google sucks anymore, no real answers just ads.

 

[kelkolb]

Yes, I can't find anything specific on wider axles proving to be better to tow with and how but Google sucks anymore, no real answers just ads.

Honestly, my feeling is that the wider axles were really somewhat designed for the Rubicon so that there was room for upgrading tire sizes more easily. With the max tow and Rubi both having 4.10 gears, it makes sense production wise for them to use the same axles just without the lockers in the max tow.

That said, a wider axle will certainly be more stable than a narrower one. Not hard to understand why. Now, by how much in the Gladiator's case? who knows. In the SAE J2807 towing standard there is a stability requirement to make sure that the truck isn't steered by the trailer if it sways so it's possible that there is enough benefit from the 1.5" extra axle width to help this as well.

 

[Tkcdyer]

NO. you only get the wide dana 44s with max tow package. if no max tow then they are the regular narrow axles

Wide axles come on the High Altitude as well

 

[whiteglad]

My 2020 max tow axles did not have bosses for the electric locker controllers. I don't know if the tubes were as thick as the Mojave, etc. which could be another difference beyond axle spline count and iron vs. aluminum spindles.

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