For those who want to run 37s on stock rubi D44s...
#1
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Farmington, NM
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For those who want to run 37s on stock rubi D44s...
There’s no easy way to say this, and it's a little embarrassing, but it’s my hope that others might learn from my mistake! Obviously, this is a topic you see brought up over and over again, and the subject of endless debate. I think amongst the more experienced wheelers, there’s much less of a debate. But anyway, I just want to chime in and add my story, even if only to serve as a warning to others!
After a very active couple months, wheeling every weekend on big rocks and beating the crap out of my rig, I noticed that I likely had bent a rear passenger axle shaft. Took it into the dealer and discovered that no, in fact both of my rear axle flanges were bent. Good thing it’s under warranty!
I had also been considering hopping up in wheel size (from 33” MTRs) and adding some muscle to the front axle, regearing, etc. But, since I’m impatient, I figured I would be OK if I bought new wheels and tires (37s) first, and took it easy for a little while and built everything up. I think you see where this is going...
Well, on my brand new 37 MTRs and my brand new factory axle shafts, I bent both the new rear axle shafts this weekend! I didn’t even have any hard impacts, just some little crawls and some tests to check clearances/bumps at full stuff, etc. It was an easy-peasy weekend on trails that I know very well. Still, I managed to bend both rear shafts! I haven’t been able to check the fronts yet… but I’m not convinced I haven’t hurt them too. Only took me a week to ruin brand new shafts
So, if it’s worth anything coming from a relative noob: you should reconsider running 37s on stock D44 shafts if you do any kind of regular crawling.
After a very active couple months, wheeling every weekend on big rocks and beating the crap out of my rig, I noticed that I likely had bent a rear passenger axle shaft. Took it into the dealer and discovered that no, in fact both of my rear axle flanges were bent. Good thing it’s under warranty!
I had also been considering hopping up in wheel size (from 33” MTRs) and adding some muscle to the front axle, regearing, etc. But, since I’m impatient, I figured I would be OK if I bought new wheels and tires (37s) first, and took it easy for a little while and built everything up. I think you see where this is going...
Well, on my brand new 37 MTRs and my brand new factory axle shafts, I bent both the new rear axle shafts this weekend! I didn’t even have any hard impacts, just some little crawls and some tests to check clearances/bumps at full stuff, etc. It was an easy-peasy weekend on trails that I know very well. Still, I managed to bend both rear shafts! I haven’t been able to check the fronts yet… but I’m not convinced I haven’t hurt them too. Only took me a week to ruin brand new shafts
So, if it’s worth anything coming from a relative noob: you should reconsider running 37s on stock D44 shafts if you do any kind of regular crawling.
#2
JK Jedi Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 0
Received 162 Likes
on
154 Posts
Time to go aftermarket. A decent set of alloy shafts will handle the tires/weight better, and both TenFactory and G2 will warranty bent rear flanges - if you bend them.
#4
JK Jedi Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 0
Received 162 Likes
on
154 Posts
Depends on the metal/alloys used. 1541h, 4130, 4140, 4340? And probably on the manufacturing location/process, heat treatment, whatever else. 1541h isn't much stronger than stock. 4130/4140 are reported to be 30% +/- stronger than stock. 4340 I think I read is closer to 40%
Also read that the flanges are not hardened on stock and 1541h shafts, but are hardened on the others. This makes sense to me, since we always hear about bent stock flanges, and don't get reports of very many bent alloy flanges. (and the guys that do bend alloy flanges, well, most of them are used to swapping shafts on the trail...)
Also read that the flanges are not hardened on stock and 1541h shafts, but are hardened on the others. This makes sense to me, since we always hear about bent stock flanges, and don't get reports of very many bent alloy flanges. (and the guys that do bend alloy flanges, well, most of them are used to swapping shafts on the trail...)
Last edited by nthinuf; 05-11-2015 at 02:04 PM.
#5
JK Jedi
Depends on the metal/alloys used. 1541h, 4130, 4140, 4340? And probably on the manufacturing location/process, heat treatment, whatever else. 1541h isn't much stronger than stock. 4130/4140 are reported to be 30% +/- stronger than stock. 4340 I think I read is closer to 40%
Also read that the flanges are not hardened on stock and 1541h shafts, but are hardened on the others. This makes sense to me, since we always hear about bent stock flanges, and don't get reports of very many bent alloy flanges. (and the guys that do bend alloy flanges, well, most of them are used to swapping shafts on the trail...)
Also read that the flanges are not hardened on stock and 1541h shafts, but are hardened on the others. This makes sense to me, since we always hear about bent stock flanges, and don't get reports of very many bent alloy flanges. (and the guys that do bend alloy flanges, well, most of them are used to swapping shafts on the trail...)
#6
JK Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Grosse Ile, Michigan
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Would you really recommend spending $1,500 on axle shafts to toss into a factory D44? Not being a smart ass...just curious. I'm changing all my shafts right now to prepare for slabs and 37's. I'm going with Ten Factory front and rear. Hopefully those combined with front gussets and dynatrac ball joints will last until I go D60/D80.
#7
JK Jedi
Would you really recommend spending $1,500 on axle shafts to toss into a factory D44? Not being a smart ass...just curious. I'm changing all my shafts right now to prepare for slabs and 37's. I'm going with Ten Factory front and rear...... Hopefully those combined with front gussets and dynatrac ball joints will last until I go D60/D80.
Last edited by Maertz; 05-11-2015 at 03:30 PM.
Trending Topics
#8
JK Super Freak
Depends on the metal/alloys used. 1541h, 4130, 4140, 4340? And probably on the manufacturing location/process, heat treatment, whatever else. 1541h isn't much stronger than stock. 4130/4140 are reported to be 30% +/- stronger than stock. 4340 I think I read is closer to 40% Also read that the flanges are not hardened on stock and 1541h shafts, but are hardened on the others. This makes sense to me, since we always hear about bent stock flanges, and don't get reports of very many bent alloy flanges. (and the guys that do bend alloy flanges, well, most of them are used to swapping shafts on the trail...)
#9
JK Jedi
1541h in the rears ibelieve. The fronts are 4340.
Edit :Just looked they list rears at 1541h or 4140 depending on application.. If i were to order id specify the 4140 if you can
Edit :Just looked they list rears at 1541h or 4140 depending on application.. If i were to order id specify the 4140 if you can
Last edited by Maertz; 05-11-2015 at 03:46 PM.
#10
JK Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Grosse Ile, Michigan
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EDIT: posted before I read the rest. The rear D44 axles for JK's are 4140 from Ten. Just went through this last week when ordering mine.
Last edited by Havoc40; 05-11-2015 at 04:03 PM.