landsharkjs

S it worth re-gearing and installing lockers in Dana 30 front axle and adding selves an trusses or be better off buying new Dana 44 I have a 2013 JKU sport w/321gears I think

BigLow

Depends on a lot of factors, what size tire you running, what terrain, how heavy is your lead foot, will your jeep grow?

Keep in mind, the front axle is going to be the largest investment of a 4x4.

landsharkjs

Mild rock crawling 2-4 times a year mostly street use , running 33's maybe up to 34's probably 488 gears 3.6 auto

Invest2m4

That's a ton of gear for that size tire. 4.56 max. Also, the lower numerical ratio means a strong ring and pinion (more teeth contacting).

Sounds like you're fine with a D30. Any other route will cost a lot more. Unless you can find a used D44 with the right gearing already in it.

landsharkjs

Ok thanks for your time and input it's greatly appreciated

nthinuf

Talk to a few local shops about the rates and do a side-by-side comparison.

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...-build-274896/

And remember that if you upgrade to a rubi-44, you still have the same added costs for sleeve/truss/gussets as with the d30. But on the plus side, 4.10's might be a decent ratio for your needs and you get the e-lockers.

Invest2m4

Yep, I think this could make sense. You can get a new crate D44 with 4.10s for $1800. A regear for the front D30 is probably around $750, give or take. Then you are around $900 for a locker. However, if you get a new crate axle, you can sell your stock axle for $500-$700. So, the net cost would be $1200. Then $60 for gussets and $120 for sleeves. Regear the rear to 4.10s and off you go.

Tooadvanced

Where r u guys finding crate rubi 44's with elockers for 1800?

Invest2m4

Good question. I'm installing one for a club member this weekend. He picked it up for $1800. Had it sent to the local shop for a $500 regear and then to my garage for gussets, sleeves and a swap. I can ask next time I talk to him. It wasn't a special deal, just found the place online.

nthinuf

New front rubi 44's are in the $2600ish range on a few sites (moparpartsdiscounted & allmoparparts), right around $3000 after shipping. Then add the gussets/sleeves/truss that were going on the d30. And gears if you want something other than 4.10 or 3.73. A 'new' rubi44 starts making a lot less sense when you add it up and compare to a pr/tera. A 'used' rubi44, if you can get it for the right price, might...

Awesome price he found. Be sure to share the site if you can. Way back in 08 they were going for under 2k, but these days you are paying $1400 for the locker alone.