tidbit for TJ D44 owners wanting an ARB

[Lud]

When you go to install an ARB make sure there are drainage slots between the axle tubes and the center of the diff. The information can be found on ARB's site or in the newer ARB install manuals.

I called ARB about it and for some reason TJ Dana 44 axles don't have adequate drainage when an ARB is installed and the oil is blocked from entering the center of the diff from the axle tubes. This drainage problem was fixed on the Rubi D44 axles.

I didn't know about this when the ARB was originally installed and had been fighting a problem with diff oil coming out the diff vent tube.
Finally got it apart yesterday and had someone (who had the same problem before with his ARB and D44) drill drainage holes in the housing. Drove back from Moses Lake yesterday with no more oil coming from the vent.

Hopefully this might save someone a lot of headache in the future.

[TJDave]

That's good info to know. Now I just need to find a used TJ D44 without having to drop $2500.00 on a new one!!!

[iaccocca]

That's good info to know. Now I just need to find a used TJ D44 without having to drop $2500.00 on a new one!!!

MOPAR is now selling the JK one narrowed for the TJ with the mounting hardware, disc brakes, etc. with the electric locker.

[Lud]

I think the new narrowed JK D44's have 32 splines instead of 30 and include an electric locker and 4.11's. I think it's around 1500 new.

[iaccocca]

...and stonger axle tubes.

[TJDave]

I will have to research this. I have heard $1500 for an unmodified JK axle, but after the narrowing and the relocated TJ brackets, you are right back up there in the Currie and Dynotrac price range. $1500 bones for a bolt in ready w/locker sounds pretty darn good.

[Lurch]

What gears are available in it at that price? Does it come with any kind of waranty?

[bobracing]

WOW, JK axles are wide, 65.5, that is wider than waggy and about the same as a WT (fullsize) Cherokee .

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticl ... index.html

[White trash]

WT (fullsize) Cherokee .

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticl ... index.html

What do I have to do with this discussion?


65" isn't too bad especially with no hub sticking out of the wheel. It'd be east to run some high backspaced wheels like a recentered hummer to keep it narrower and eliminatea lot of the scrub radius. Too bad the JK axles are junk.... The C's are still froma dana 30 and they are weak with any decent sized tire on them. If they wanted to build a 44 the least they could have done was to do it right.

[Lud]

Here's a link for the stock JK D44 axle directly from Mopar with 4.10s and an electronic locker. you'd need new brackets and new wheels as they are 5x51/2 bolt pattern instead of 4x4.5.

http://www.moparsupercenter.com/jeep-rubicon-rear-axle-assmblyp515382x.html

I know there's a company or 2 making them with the brackets and axle shaft to be a direct bolt it to a TJ. You'll have to do some searching.

If you want to do it over time, you can buy the TJ Dana 44 housing on Jeepsareus.com for about 700 bucks and then build it on a bench when you have time. Or get one ready made from there with whatever gear ratio you want to 4.88 and the rubi locker for 2500.

[Lud]

Oh yeah Mopar now sells a Dana 60 axle too for the JK. Has 4.10s, disk brakes, and I believe a locker like a Detroit. 2500 bucks though and still has the JK brackets and 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern.

http://www.moparsupercenter.com/p5155083.html?cat=795