Author Topic: Mopar's JK Rubicon Dana 44s Work Even In YJ Wranglers; via 4Wheel & Offroad  (Read 6635 times)

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Offline Jeffy

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By Phil Howell
photographer: Phil Howell

Part 1:
http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/tech/0808_4wd_jeep_wrangler_yj_dana_44_axle/index.html



The word is out. Mopar is selling JK Wrangler Rubicon Dana 44 complete axle assemblies, and they're a very good deal. For a total of approximately $3,000, both front and rear Rubicon Dana 44s that come complete with disc brakes, electric lockers, and 4.10 gears will be delivered to your home or dealer ready for installation. These Dana 44s are direct bolt-ins in JK Wranglers, so owners of X or Sahara trim levels can easily upgrade their front and rearends to the Rubicon level and will even be able to use their locking differentials at any speed, in two-wheel drive, four-wheel high, or four-wheel low range. This is something Rubicon owners can't do as they're limited to using their lockers in low range. Mopar/Jeep JK Rubicon Dana 44s are available from any Mopar/Jeep Performance dealer.

These axle assemblies will also work in any other vehicle you choose to install them in with some modification. We followed our friend Eric Maughan as he ordered Mopar JK Rubicon Dana 44 axle assemblies and proceeded to put them under his '91 YJ Wrangler. 4 Wheel Drive Hardware has everything needed for a successful axle swap, such as a Mopar wiring harness that has the correct electrical plugs needed for the electric lockers. While doing the swap, Eric decided to install an Atlas transfer case from Advance Adapters too. Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts built new front and rear CV driveshafts that work with the Rubicon axle assemblies. Follow along, and we'll show you how easy this swap is to perform.


Part 2:

http://www.4wdandsportutility.com/tech/0812_4wd_1991_jeep_wrangler_yj/index.html



In case you missed it in the Aug. '08 issue, we did a feature on installing Mopar's JK Rubicon Dana 44s in a YJ Wrangler. Complete JK Wrangler Rubicon Dana 44 axle assemblies are a great deal for those looking to upgrade their front and rearends. They come complete with disc brakes, electric lockers, and 4.10 gears and are a bolt-in deal for JK Wrangler owners.

Our friend Eric Maughan of Wellsville, Utah, ordered his Mopar JK Rubicon Dana 44 axle assemblies from 4 Wheel Drive Hardware and installed them under his '91 YJ Wrangler. In the Aug. '08 feature, we showed how Eric removed the JK bracketry from the axles, welded on spring pads, installed the ARB Air Locker switches for locker operation, and adapted the Mopar harness he got from 4 Wheel Drive Hardware that has the correct electrical plugs needed for the electric lockers.

Eric also installed a 4.3 Atlas transfer case from Advance Adapters. Mount Logan Off-Road supplied its super-strong aluminum tie rod and drag link. The guys at Tom Wood's Custom Drive Shafts rebuilt and modified the front and rear CV driveshafts to work with the Rubicon axle assemblies and also sent a pair of their JK Dana 44 pinion flanges.

Eric's YJ uses Rubicon Express spring-over leaf packs and also has a Vanco hydroboost system for the brakes. We mention this as his swap won't be exactly like yours, but it did show how relatively simple it is to do.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2008, 01:59:49 PM by Jeffy »
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline oldjeep

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Should have gone with the Mopar D60's ;)

Both axles come with 4:10, speed sensor for ABS, calipers and rotors. Bolt pattern is 5 on 5.5. Rim size to fit brake setup is 17". Track width is 65.4" (not 65.5"). Rotors are vented on all 4 corners.

Front (P5155084)
Coil setup to bolt onto a JK. Brakes are 336mm x 28 mm. Comes with open differential. MSRP is $2935 USD.

Rear (P5155083)
Leaf setup. Brakes are 351mm x 22 xx. Yes rear brakes are larger than front in diameter but thinner. Comes with limited slip differential. MSRP is $2765 USD.

Today there are 9 fronts and 34 rears in the Warren MI warehouse. As with the D44 axles, adaptation to your JK/TJ/YJ/CJ/XJ/WJ etc is the responsibility of the purchaser.

Chuck P
The clowns'? Oh, yeah, the clowns. We fight them too — entire armies, spilling out of Volkswagons. We do our best to fight them off, but they keep sending 'em in!
94 YJ - gone
98 ZJ - sons truck
97 TJ - daughters project

www.oldjeep.com

Offline Jeffy

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Who's the seller for those D60's?

Seems like a lot of work for those JK axles and you don't get manual hubs.
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZNlr60GXH5OlKIFrT7P6mg
My Jeep: http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php?topic=2783.0
"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline oldjeep

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Who's the seller for those D60's?

Seems like a lot of work for those JK axles and you don't get manual hubs.

Mopar is selling them.  They are the axles they use in the J8's overseas
Chuck P
The clowns'? Oh, yeah, the clowns. We fight them too — entire armies, spilling out of Volkswagons. We do our best to fight them off, but they keep sending 'em in!
94 YJ - gone
98 ZJ - sons truck
97 TJ - daughters project

www.oldjeep.com

Offline oldjeep

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Looks like quadra trash is also selling the rears
http://www.quadratec.com/products/52446_103_T.htm
Chuck P
The clowns'? Oh, yeah, the clowns. We fight them too — entire armies, spilling out of Volkswagons. We do our best to fight them off, but they keep sending 'em in!
94 YJ - gone
98 ZJ - sons truck
97 TJ - daughters project

www.oldjeep.com

Offline oldjeep

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And here's a spendy way to get locking hubgs on the JK D44
http://www.quadratec.com/products/16133_100.htm
Chuck P
The clowns'? Oh, yeah, the clowns. We fight them too — entire armies, spilling out of Volkswagons. We do our best to fight them off, but they keep sending 'em in!
94 YJ - gone
98 ZJ - sons truck
97 TJ - daughters project

www.oldjeep.com

Offline Jeffy

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Should have gone with the Mopar D60's ;)
 Bolt pattern is 5 on 5.5. Rim size to fit brake setup is 17". Track width is 65.4" (not 65.5"). Rotors are vented on all 4 corners.

Bolt pattern should be 5 on 5" not 5 on 5.5", making them an oddball wheel like on the WJ's.

I have to say, I do like the proportions of that YJ though.
« Last Edit: October 17, 2008, 03:59:54 PM by Jeffy »
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZNlr60GXH5OlKIFrT7P6mg
My Jeep: http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php?topic=2783.0
"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline Bounty Hunter

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Mopar is selling them.  They are the axles they use in the J8's overseas
Doesn't the J8 only use a d60 in the rear?  What's the front? d44?