Wider axle Q's ??

[The Yeti]

So Im new to the Jeep world here. But I'm getting that the rubicon models, Max tow and maybe the Mohave have wider axels (I duno maybe more). So my question is does that mean the entire differential is a wider unit or just the axels themselves are longer but same housing? I assume it is an entirely different unit but can someone clarify this for me. From what I can tell and I might be wrong but my 21' 80th Anniversary has Dana 220's (could be wrong going from memory on what I read though)

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[ShadowsPapa]

So Im new to the Jeep world here. But I'm getting that the rubicon models, Max tow and maybe the Mohave have wider axels (I duno maybe more). So my question is does that mean the entire differential is a wider unit or just the axels themselves are longer but same housing? I assume it is an entirely different unit but can someone clarify this for me. From what I can tell and I might be wrong but my 21' 80th Anniversary has Dana 220's (could be wrong going from memory on what I read though)

For the whole differential assembly, what's commonly called "axles" to be wider, the axle shafts are longer and the axle tubes are longer. the center housing for the differential is generally the exact same housing.
The put in longer axle tubes and longer axles so that the whole thing ends up, hub to hub, being 1.5" wider.
Each axle is 3/4" (0.75") longer.
Can't put longer axles in the same housing assembly - the tubes have to be longer, but what we've for years called "the punkin" - or the center cast differential housing, is the same.

Dana 220 has nothing to do with width. They are all 220s.

This is from my build sheet - an Overland which does not have the "wide axles".

All rears under these are M220

The build sheet would say "wide" if they were wide.


This is from our JLU Rubicon - note it has the same axle numbers but says "wide".
The 220 and 210 are ring gear diameter.

 

[The Yeti]

Right on, makes sense. I mean I guess what I typed and what I was thinking wasn't super clear but that's kind of what I was assuming. A lot of the Jeep stuff is new to me. I can go through the independent front suspension on a Duramax no problem but this Gladiator is a different beast for sure. Thanks the info. IMO why not just put the wider axels in all of them really especially if the diff itself is the ssme other than the length of the tubes/axles but I guess maybe theres a reason for that too.

 

[mdyucca]

Papa is correct, as always, All Gladiators have the 210 Front and 220 rear axles with a few Gladiator models getting the wider axles. From what I see the purpose for the wider axles is to provide for more clearance for wider/taller tires. The models with the wider axles also get wider fenders. My understanding is that the lockers from the wider axles cannot be installed in the narrow axles.

 

[The Yeti]

I assume it helps with stability when towing anything too on say a Max tow. I came from the towing world and these things are definately not purpose built for that. Weird that you wouldn't be able to add the lockers if adding the tubes/axles if the housing itself is the same . But in the end it would probably be easier to just swap out one for the other if a guy was looking to updrade.

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