Axle deal?

[kujito]

What would/have you guys pay for a NEW factory Rubicon D44 axle setup.
I've seen tons of posts that talk about these for $1400.00, stealership in Thornton sells 'em for $1100 apiece. As an XJ/Jeep noob I don't know what a decent new D44 should cost. As a broke-azz college student, it's kind of a moot point, just trying to get her to run right/better. Looking forward though, I'd rather not hit the trails on 30/35 axles. If I was still stuck in Las Cruces I wouldn't worry about em in the sand, rock crawlin tho...

 

[Stang5lgt]

1400 isn't bad for those axles. Considering they stronger, come with elec lockers, and 4.10 gears. Only thing is I don't know if the front is bolt on. You might have to cut the mounts off and weld XJ ones on. I know the rear will have to have mounts cut off and spring perches and shock mounts welded on.
Your front 30 can take alot abuse if you build it right. The rear is only axle I would change out for better one. I just put Ford 8.8 in mine. I bought it with Disc brakes for 60 bucks. Came from a 98 Explorer. Jeep stops alot better with Disc brakes on all corners.

 

[Stang5lgt]

Also they are different bolt pattern. 5x5 instead of 5x4.5

 

[Kittrell]

The front CA mounts line up. You have to relocate the coil buckets, shock mounts, and trac bar mount. Most of them have a factory defect in the tube though. People are breaking the tubes in half, in the same spot. It's a nice axle, but I'd retube it personally. Which then it loses its appeal to most people.

 

[Frank Z]

Better off with a set of alloys in your Dana30.

 

[kujito]

I just read about snapping tubes. That sucks!

On a slightly different note, I know that mid-90's Dakota 4x4s could be had with ChryCo 9.25 rears. Any idea if one of those might fit. Width mostly, I understand that there is always some fab work (shock mounts, etc.) to be done. My 95 SoCal 2wd Dak is sitting in the driveway(she can be had CHEAP) and I was able to swap the MOPAR reciever hitch to the XJ. It was a perfect fit on the frame rails! Pretty sure those trucks came w/D30 fronts too. I even have the stock alloys so I wouldn't have to worry about bolt pattern. Tried searching on this to no avail. Any thoughts?

 

[jragan]

Better off with a set of alloys in your Dana30.

x2. Understand the U Joint is the same in the 30 as it is the Rubicon 44.