Definitely a good discussion and your timing was perfect because I was just looking at this as well, and I was really scratching my head trying to figure out why take-off Rubicon D44's seemed so high in price. It didn't make any sense to me either. I was thinking more along the lines of, if I can get a brand new OEM D44 for $2K, then I should be able to find a take-off in the less than $1K range, but it was the exact opposite of what I was expecting to find when shopping around.

 

I went to see that same axle in clarkston because of the gear, locker, rcv shafts and beefy tie rod. The guy had his new Pro Rock 44 laying beside his jeep( was delivered mere minutes before I arrived) and sure enough, you could tell the difference between the 2 axles. I left without it after offering what I thought the parts were worth. Nice guy though. Awesome jeep!

 

My rule is $0.50 on a dollar for used parts. Anything more than that, and I'll buy new. Rubi take off axles are priced insane, so I went ProRock.

 

And that's the amazing part to me, is that the ProRock 44 costs what? $2100? or did he go with a 60?

It's like saying, I want a free upgrade by buying something better and then selling the take off for the same price.

 

A PR44 housing costs around that. No (or few--some include OEM BJs) necessary components such as gears, shafts, locker, brakes, etc. You can either strip that stuff off your old axle, or spend up to a couple thousand more upgrading. If fully built like the one in that CL ad, it would probably be a $4-5K axle.

 

Good call. I definitely missed that when looking at them.

 

The ProRock 44 Unlimited that arrived at my place yesterday was $5100 with E-Locker, RCV, 4.88, Synergy ball joints, stock flange and shipping. But.... it makes a Rubicon D44 look like a kids toy. 1/2" tubes, huge knuckles and brackets, added caster, massive pumpkin reinforcement. Beefy! And only 170# shipping weight including the crate.

 

He went with a complete setup. Over 4k

 

Absolutely. I didn't mean to sound critical that they are so expensive or not worth it. Just want to point out the common misconception that you can buy what you just described for a bit over $2K.

 

Preface with: I am not offended and there is no anger, angst or other emotion in my response. We are just talking, nothing more.

How do you figure that you can buy what I described for a bit over $2K? Just an empty PR44U is a bit over $2K, let alone what I described with the E-Locker for about a grand, the RCV shafts for over a grand, gears/bearing kit, Synergy balls for around $250. That is $2750 or so in just parts, plus the housing for I think $2200, plus labor, plus shipping. If you could get a similar setup for just a bit over $2K, you could re-sell them and be rich.... rich I tell ya!