So I've read the posts about sleeve and gusseting the front rubicon axle. It's fairly inexpensive and seems like a great way to add strength and peace of mind. What I'm wondering about is would it be worth while to install RCV's as well as sleeve and gusset the front axle? Or should the money be saved and better spent on an aftermarket 44 front axle? I figure your looking at about 2,500 to beef up the Rubicon axle which is considerably cheaper then the 4,000-5,000 for an aftermarket axle. When you beef up the rubi axle how much stronger is it going to be? Is it comparable to the Prorock or Teraflex 44?

 

new shafts would be needed depending on your driving style and tire size, not necessarily dependent on your axle shaft.


if you are on 40s, beat the hell out of your wrangler offroad you will need to upgrade your shafts. if its a daily driver that sees moderate trails only and on 35s factory should be good to go.

 

How large of a tire are you planning on running? You're not going to be able to beef up the stock Dana 44 axle to be comparable to the Prorock 44 or Teraflex 44. You just can't compete with the larger tube diameters. You're also far more likely to break an axle shaft (especially u-joints) than the actual housing tube. Installing RCV shafts with gussets/sleeves will give you a pretty strong setup for most situations. Go with an aftermarket axle housing for more hardcore use.

 

Right now my Jeep is a daily driver that sees the trails about every 2 weeks. Based on what you guys have said so far I think that beefing up my Rubi axle will be the way to go. Sleeves, gussets and RCV shafts should keep me running for a while. Maybe someday I'll put 37's or bigger on but right now I am very content with my 35's. Thanks for the feedback

 

I would say that the stock rubi axle should be just fine with what you plan on doing. If you had said that you had a D30 and where wanting to sleave and gusset it I would say dont waste your money and just save it for a Proroc 44. I've seen a few members post that they have sleaved and gusseted their D30 for less than $600 which I don't know how true that it is or what parts they used either. Your price seems on the high side just for parts but if thats for a shop to put them in your probably not to bad but I would get a couple of bids.

 

I used the Teraflex Sleeve & Gusset kit and put in RCV axles. I strongly recommend it! I also used Teraflex's diff cover too.

One suggestion I have is to add a N'th (AEV) rear diff skid plate. It is well worth the $189 to protect the rear diff if you rock crawl any. This is mine after running Liberty in Colorado last Saturday. Can you imagine what the diff would have looked like without this?

 

The D30 and D44 have the same exact C's, so you'll want to get the gussetts for sure. Sleeves aren't really necessary. Also, ask WoL what he thinks about RCV shafts, Haha. Cromoly is cheaper and doesn't fail, so there's no reason to spend more money on the RCVs when cromoly will be more than sufficient.

 

Wrong. EVO C2 sleeve, gussett, and LCA skid package from Northridge: $260 delivered. Install, welding and painting at local mechanic: $300. Total: $560.

 

I am leaning towards Offroad Evo's kit but my dilemma is that I don't trust any of the local shops in my area. The nearest shop would be down near Albany which is about 3 hours away. Here is my plan I have already talked to an offroad shop in Moab so that while I'm there in August I can take the Jeep in and have them take care of the axle and only lose one day on the trails. I'll look at the chromoly shafts as well.

 

I tried to find WoL to see what happend to his RCV shafts??? Can you fill me in?? Nothing comes up when I search that name?

Dave