CJ3B change rear wheel hub from left to right

[marcusku]

Hi, I am new here and drive a CJ3B (without roof) here in Munich Germany since many years. I recently realised that a previous owner / mechanic, installed the left threaded wheel bolts of the rear axle at he right side. At the rear left side; I have normal wheel bolts. As far as I understand, my rear axle wheel hubs should be.
My question is:
How difficult is this?
Can I pull both hubs from the drive shafts and just switch them?
Are the wheel bolts pressed directly into the drive shafts ends?
I want to avoid to pull the rear differential apart.
Thanks for your opinion!

[Rus Curtis]

marcusku,
Welcome!  Willkommen!

The Service Manual has a reference stating early jeeps had Left Hand Threads (LHT) are on the left side.  Eventually, all lug bolts/nuts became Right Hand Thread (RHT).

Do you have a SM?  Here's a digital just in case:

http://48cj2a.com/images/manuals/UniversalServiceManualForJeepVehicles.pdf


In section Q, p236, FIG 296, there is an image of the rear hub/bearing.

Do you have a tapered axle with a large castle nut/cotter pin holding the hub onto the axle (like the image)?  If so, yes, you can swap the hubs and put the LHT lugs on the left side. It may be stuck on the axle. Use a puller and KEEP THE NUT ON THE AXLE while removing so the hub won't fly across the shop.  Useful info on the 3B Page.  Inspect the hubs for cracks around the shaft key slot.

While science and time has proven LHT lugs aren't necessary, I honestly don't know if any harm can come from leaving the LHT lugs on the right side.