Where's the smart money?

$3500 for a pair of Rubicon D44s with 5.13s and stock lockers.
or
Build up the front D30, regear and locker? Estimate $2-3k
or
Buy a prorock 44 and regear both new front and old rear, add locker? Estimate $5-7k

I'm trying to keep the price right. I like the idea of picking up a built axle that I can just throw right in.

 

From what ive read...a locker is a locker (someone correct me if im wrong)...they all serve the same purpose and dont act any different depending on how much money you spend on it...I say buy the rubi dana 44.

 

I wouldn't waste a dime on the D30. The rest of the question depends on the size of tires you plan on running and the type of wheeling you will be doing

 

PR44s would seem to be the best option.

 

The Rubicon D44 axle is basically the same as the D30, the tubes are the same thickness and diameter, however the ring and pinion are a different size. So spending on a Rubicon D44 is the same as spending on your D30. I would save and purchase an aftermarket axle.

 

If money is not a problem, PR44 front and rear with ARB lockers would be best.

I am on a pretty limited budget, so ended up picking up a near new front Rubi D44 and swapped out my D30. While doing this, I did sleeve, gussets, and diff covers. With proper reinforcement, most will never destroy a D44. It does depend on what type of wheeling you do and how heavy a foot you have.

I do eventually want to add a locker in the rear too. I'm going to do a bunch of other stuff first though. Definitely post what you end up doing.

 

I saved up for the prorock and I don't regret it. If your gonna spend thousands of dollars on your jeep why not save up for the best thing out there

 

Prorock the front bro and add chromo shafts in the rear with ARB's and you can run 37" tires with confidence!

 

Money is the main options. I'm not on rock all day, I just need to replace a "temp" D30 that has higher gears then the rear due to a break and having a dirt cheap easy swap. I don't think prorocks are in the budget an regearing/ lockers in the current axles would cost about the same as these built ones. Anyone want to road trip from SD to CO?

 

It's my understanding that the factory e locker is prone to failure. If that's the case I wouldn't buy those used rubi axles. I would possibly buy the front, replace the factory locker with an arb and regear/lock my own stock rear axle.