I can get a new rubicon housing for $980, thats my best bet as of now, cant seem to find any used housings around. Then build it with arb locker and 5.13s, the price will probably be north of 2500 but less than 3 grand. The front d44 is 35 spline correct?
so I found one here for $2100. I tried another source and they say the axle is back ordered. So Im waiting for a response
http://www.moparamerica.com/oe-mopar/p5153825ag
Also, has anyone noticed the new heavy duty housing?
from the mopar parts catalog:
Heavy-Duty Rubicon Dana 44 Tm
Front Axle Housing
This heavy-duty axle housing is a direct replacement for your Rubicon
front axle. This housing features thicker wall tubes and improved bending
strength over stock. This is a bare housing, ready to accept the gears,
locker and shafts from your housing.
P/N P5160036 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$995.00
http://www.mopar.com/assets/pdf/performance/catalog/JeepPerformancePartsCatalog.pdf
If that's the same housing they've always had for sale, I remember it being not much more special than an OEM rubicon axle. Plus, I couldn't even found it mentioned if it were built in the USA with quality steel.
I think your 2000 dollar budget is going to be a short fall. If you're 'upgrading' the axle, why settle for less just to match that price point. It's not like LED lights or trim pieces where money can be lost and not regretted...an axle is a big deal of a mod. I would recommend fix the D30 or buy a really nice 44 so you don't just keep throwing money at the cheaper one down the road. I think it's going to be hard to piece one together for 2k unless you find a used rubicon complete with the proper gears.
Honestly, for a bit more you can have a fully built prorock 44. Then you don't need to mess with a truss and what not. Just my opinion.
If you're gonna do Super duty axles in a year, then just buy another 30. Your an idiot to buy a Rubicon axle if you're just gonna replace it in a year. Its not worth it
Not just your opinion. 3 others have already told him that too. Lol.
Edit: Make that 4.
If I drop the coin for a 44, the super duty project will be pushed back until something severe breaks
I don't think they will let you order the stock front end in anything greater than a 4.10 based on the linked Mopar pamphlet...which is why I will be looking for a cheaper takeoff 44 to have 4.88 installed in or keep saving and just do the PR44
bump, back on the market for a front axle. Mostly looking at whats out there for used options. Edited the original post to reflect that.
so I found one here for $2100. I tried another source and they say the axle is back ordered. So Im waiting for a response
http://www.moparamerica.com/oe-mopar/p5153825ag
Also, has anyone noticed the new heavy duty housing?
from the mopar parts catalog:
Heavy-Duty Rubicon Dana 44 Tm
Front Axle Housing
This heavy-duty axle housing is a direct replacement for your Rubicon
front axle. This housing features thicker wall tubes and improved bending
strength over stock. This is a bare housing, ready to accept the gears,
locker and shafts from your housing.
P/N P5160036 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$995.00
http://www.mopar.com/assets/pdf/performance/catalog/JeepPerformancePartsCatalog.pdf