WJ conversion with 5x5 lug pattern

nosigma · Aug 1, 2014

Finishing up my sleeved and trussed D30 which will use WJ outers (TNT spacer welded on) and WJ brakes. The 35's I picked up came on brand new 5x5 wheels. Normally the WJ conversion uses 01 TJ unit bearings but those are 5x4.5 lug pattern.

I see three possible options:
1) Just use the TJ hubs and get some wheel spacers that will convert 5x4.5 to 5x5 and call it a day.
2) Buy some new wheels and stay on 4.5" centers with the TJ hubs.
3) Use a WJ or JK hub that is 5x5.

Option 3 is where my question is. Does anyone know if the WJ or JK hubs would fit and have the right spacing to work with the conversion?

John

yossarian19 · Aug 1, 2014

The WJ hub has a flange offset of 2.11", the 01 Cherokee hub has a flange offset of 1.9 and the JK's is 1.9 as well. Assuming it has the same mounting lugs, the JK hub is the bolt pattern you want and the right flange offset. Note, though, that the JK uses a longer stub shaft and presumably it does so for a reason. It's either spline count, length thru the hub or length back from hub to U-joint or some combination and I'm not sure.
I'd be really curious to see you use the JK hub, but I think the easier method is going to be wheel adapters.
If you do pursue JK hubs, please post up results.

WAZZUXJ · Aug 1, 2014

If you are using WJ knuckles and want to keep the 5x5 bolt pattern then just use the WJ hubs without the weld on spacers. The difference between the WJ hub offset and the XJ hub offset is the reason for the spacer in the first place.
Below is a WJ conversion sans spacer using WJ hubs drilled to 5x4.5.
http://www.jeepsrus.org/index.asp?p=Tech_WJhubs001

yossarian19 · Aug 1, 2014

Bad advice from this guy ^^
Sure, the brakes will fit right - but the U-joints will be 1/4" out of alignment with the ball joint. This means U-joints will die quick deaths and give noisy / chunky / crappy operation while they do live. I've had the same thought at times but no, it doesn't work out.

Vanimal · Aug 1, 2014

you can't use a wj unit bearing easily. They have CV joints, so you can't use their stub shafts with XJ inner shafts. You cannot use XJ stub shafts with WJ unit bearings, or JK unit bearings AFAIK. JK stub shafts use a different Ujoint size, so you can't use them with XJ inner shafts.
One thing i wanted to try was Ram 1500 d44 knuckles and hubs. They supposedly bolt up to D30 inner C's.

nosigma · Aug 1, 2014

Sounds like spacers or new wheels are the only two options. Not crazy about spacers because they will introduce even more of an offset load on unit bearings but that may be the best option.

Thanks.

John

Dundy · Aug 1, 2014

Vanimal said:
you can't use a wj unit bearing easily. They have CV joints, so you can't use their stub shafts with XJ inner shafts. You cannot use XJ stub shafts with WJ unit bearings, or JK unit bearings AFAIK. JK stub shafts use a different Ujoint size, so you can't use them with XJ inner shafts.
One thing i wanted to try was Ram 1500 d44 knuckles and hubs. They supposedly bolt up to D30 inner C's.

JK Dana 30 stub shafts use a 5-760x just like a late XJ. The JK Dana 44 is the one with the larger u-joint.

You may be able to use the weld-on spacers with JK hubs, JK stub shafts, and XJ inner shafts. Ideally you want the ball joint centerline to pass through the center of the u-joint.

VAhasnoWAVES · Aug 2, 2014

nosigma said:
Sounds like spacers or new wheels are the only two options. Not crazy about spacers because they will introduce even more of an offset load on unit bearings but that may be the best option.

Thanks.

John

please explain...

RWKHausSupply · Aug 2, 2014

Use xj knuckle. Jk unit bearing and stub with a 760 ujoint size (d30). Then I dont know on brakes. Call black magic brakes for those. It will work...

yossarian19 · Aug 2, 2014

That's probably the move, right there.

ColoradoRaptor · Aug 3, 2014

nosigma said:
Finishing up my sleeved and trussed D30 which will use WJ outers (TNT spacer welded on) and WJ brakes. The 35's I picked up came on brand new 5x5 wheels. Normally the WJ conversion uses 01 TJ unit bearings but those are 5x4.5 lug pattern.

I see three possible options:
1) Just use the TJ hubs and get some wheel spacers that will convert 5x4.5 to 5x5 and call it a day.
2) Buy some new wheels and stay on 4.5" centers with the TJ hubs.
3) Use a WJ or JK hub that is 5x5.

Option 3 is where my question is. Does anyone know if the WJ or JK hubs would fit and have the right spacing to work with the conversion?

John

So you want to run 5x5 front and 4X4.5 rear......????

jeeperjohn · Aug 3, 2014

I would just get some different wheels.

markw · Aug 4, 2014

Check the backspacing of your wheels, they may be around 5" backspace, in that case a 1" or 1.25" spacer will put you at 4/3.75" of back space, which is pretty common. It's actually a cheap way to upgrade to 17" wheels and not spend a fortune. Rubicon take offs are plentiful around here, but wrong bolt pattern.

WJ conversion with 5x5 lug pattern

nosigma

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yossarian19

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WAZZUXJ

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yossarian19

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Vanimal

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nosigma

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Dundy

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VAhasnoWAVES

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RWKHausSupply

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yossarian19

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ColoradoRaptor

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jeeperjohn

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markw

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