MOPWR2U

I'm going to replace my Dana 30 front axle with a Dynatrac hybrid 44/60 with a detroit locker and locking hubs. I could go with a Dynatrac 60 for the rear, but I'm wondering what can be done to beef up my non-Rubicon Dana 44 rear axle. I'll need to change the axle shafts anyway, because the bolt pattern will need to be changed to 5 on 5 1/2, and I'll be going with either an Eaton electric locker or an ARB air locker in the back end. What can I do to improve the rear 44?

Thanks.

wayoflife

Being that you have a non-rubicon 44, you can install an ARB and 35 spline shafts. that will help out quite a bit but, i would still run 5.13's as anything higher and your pinion will be really really small and will be a weak point. as far as the housing goes, it'll bend for sure but more times than not, trussing an axle will bend it too.

wayoflife

the shafts on a non-rubi 44 are equal length and, the carrier or, in your case, the ARB is a bit different too.

wayoflife

so long as you stick with 5.13, yeah, it'll do well. over the last 5 years, i have been seeing a lot more bent housings but, there's really not too much you can do about that and i'm always kind of leary about trusses.

wayoflife

it's a good thing to me. if you break a shaft, one size fits all.

wayoflife

none really other than the fact that it comes with a locker from the factory. a non-rubi 44 is a better rear axle especially if you're planning to install an arb and 35 spline shafts.

MOPWR2U

Thanks for the info. An ARB and 35 spline shafts it is then (three of them). I only need to carry one spare, and I think the ring and pinion will be ok. I've got a 2012 and I'm only going to 35" tires, so I'm planning on 4.10 gears. I'm fairly happy with the gearing of my Jeep now with 29" tires and 3.21 gears. To keep the same gearing with 35" tires I would need 3.88 gears, so 4.10 gears will be just enough lower to help compensate for the extra tire weight.

wayoflife

oh yeah, 4.10's with 35's on a 2012 is a great setup

Grognard

FWIW, this is close to my setup. I have a 2010 JKU and put a PR44 up front, and 35 spline shafts in the rear, ARBs front and back. 5.13 gears. Running 35s.

Did well at Moab. Think it's a good build.

ghostjk

This is exactly what I'm looking at also. But will the rear stock Dana 44 with the arb and 35 spline shafts hold up to 37's? Or is it just a matter of time before it breaks? Don't wanna build a super 44 then have to buy a d60 later. And 37 in tires is where I wanna be, no larger. Oh with 488 gears