I am considering swapping my armored front Rubicon 44 to a Teraflex 44 but I can't decide if I should go with the 0-3 inch lift option or the 4" option so I wanted to get some input for the guys running or installing them. What is everyone running? Any issues?

Here are my current specs, JKU with a Synergy 3" lift on 35's, TF control arms, TF trackbar, Synergy tie rod and draglink(not flipped yet). Also have G2 inners and a Tom Woods driveshaft. Everything will be re-used including the 4.10 gears and Rubi locker.

 

What makes you want a tera 44 when you already have a built 44? Waste of money IMO, unless you have something specific you want.

 

^^^Exactly. If you want to toss money away, I'd recommend making a contribution to a local charity instead. Plus, that comes with a tax deduction.

No one can tell you which housing to go with. Get an alignment and make a decision based on that. The difference between housings is how much separation there is between the pinion and C's. Only you can determine what is best for your application.

 

It turns out that even with all the armor the stock 44 is getting out of spec and will probably need adjustable ball joints soon so upgrading to a stronger axle is the next step. I have had two shops verify and I am even seeing some of the / \ starting.

 

Well that is helpful thanks, I never thought to take it for an alignment....

Just looking for people's experiences with the TF 44's. I talked with Teraflex and they said either will work since I am sitting higher than 3" in the front with the Synergy springs but the higher trackbar mount on the 4+ housing is a lot higher so mostly worried about clearance issues but would like to know what the actual pinion and caster numbers are with the different axles.

 

Did you gusset and sleeve/truss the housing? That's all it needs. The axles come from the factory with the camber out of spec. I have yet to see a JK get an alignment and camber show in spec on both sides. There is some miscommunication with the spec numbers alignment shops get.

 

Yup installed the Artec truss and gussets on with about 8k on the odometer but the last two alignments are showing the camber getting worse.

 

The stock axle has 6* of separation. As you increase caster, you decrease the pinion angle. If caster is 3*, pinion is 3*. If caster is 5*, pinion is 1*. The teraflex housing increases the separation. I don't know exactly what the increments are, but I'd guess the 0-3" is 7*-8* of separation. So, at 8*, you could have caster at 5* and pinion at 3*. Pretty nice balance. I wouldn't go more than that on a 3" lift. You'll have to confirm what the change in separation is and then go from there.

 

Makes sense. I just found an old thread that says the pinion offset is 10.8 on the 4"+ lift so your guess on the offset for the 0-3 is probably close. A local Utah shop has both of the axles in stock and for the same price so I could go either way but wanted to make sure I wouldn't regret the choice later.

 

So I decided on the TF R44 4+ axle and it was the right decision. Dialed it in today and currently sitting at 7 on the caster with no vibrations but I might dial it in back further to around 6.5. The only issue after driving it around town today and on the highway is I am experiencing a little bump steer so I will try dropping the track bar down a hole on the bracket to see if that will help but I also might go ahead and flip the Synergy draglink since it doesn't look like clearance will be an issue.

I am amazed just how well built the axle is. I don't regret doing the truss and gussets on the stock 44 since I think it held up well but with the numbers and a visual inspection confirming that the axle was starting to smile more and more it was time to go stronger. For around 2K with the new TF ball joints installed the axle housing is a good value.