D60 overkill for 2 door?
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
From: Denver
D60 overkill for 2 door?
I am starting with a previously modified 2012 JK 2-door Rubicon. The previous owner had the following modifications done to the front Dana 44.
- 4.88 gears
- Axle sleeves
- C-Gussets
- Dynatrac Ball Joints and diff cover
- HD tie Rod and Drag link
- HD track bar and mount + Sector shaft reinforcement kit
These mods were installed by the previous owner to run 37" tires. The axle shafts were never upgraded because he was waiting to break them prior to replacing and he sold it before it happened.
This is primarily an off-road rig, its rarely street driven. I am in the process of researching axle shaft upgrades and I am starting to get the itch to replace the axle with something else. I keep reading that Dana 44s cant hold up to 37" tires so I am paranoid. Jeep is currently wearing 37X13.5 STT Pros.
I am considering the following options:
Alloy USA Chromolly shafts + Nitro Excalibur U-Joints ~ $800 (local sale deal)
RCVs - Retail prices
D44/D60 and sell my current axles - Retail prices
D60/D60 and sell my current axles - Retail prices
I can afford any of the options above, however before I spend any money on my front axle, I want to weigh all my options. I don't plan on going larger than 37" tires. What do you think is the best way for me to spend my money considering what has already been done to the Jeep?
- 4.88 gears
- Axle sleeves
- C-Gussets
- Dynatrac Ball Joints and diff cover
- HD tie Rod and Drag link
- HD track bar and mount + Sector shaft reinforcement kit
These mods were installed by the previous owner to run 37" tires. The axle shafts were never upgraded because he was waiting to break them prior to replacing and he sold it before it happened.
This is primarily an off-road rig, its rarely street driven. I am in the process of researching axle shaft upgrades and I am starting to get the itch to replace the axle with something else. I keep reading that Dana 44s cant hold up to 37" tires so I am paranoid. Jeep is currently wearing 37X13.5 STT Pros.
I am considering the following options:
Alloy USA Chromolly shafts + Nitro Excalibur U-Joints ~ $800 (local sale deal)
RCVs - Retail prices
D44/D60 and sell my current axles - Retail prices
D60/D60 and sell my current axles - Retail prices
I can afford any of the options above, however before I spend any money on my front axle, I want to weigh all my options. I don't plan on going larger than 37" tires. What do you think is the best way for me to spend my money considering what has already been done to the Jeep?
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
Unless you're out running baja crap and jumping dunes, I'm not sure why you think the D44s are gonna blow up. Until my last axle swap, I'd been on rubi alxes I built up with 37s for the last 5+ years, and I wheeled the heck outta that. I had a locker die, but that was not tire related at all. If you have the money and are in it for the build, then by all means. Sure depends on what kinda of wheelin you do I. Just sayin'. Not sure what you're thinking "retail" is on those rubi axles, but factor in ~$3500 maybe considering geared with those pos ball joints 
(effing hate those things....had em, still have em on new axle). In fact, moving on past the D30/44 BJ issue is the big reason to change IMO. $4k if all the stars align and you find the right buyer (I've seen it more than once), but that is pretty rare around me.
Best of luck with your build. Call fusion and price out a package so you have firm numbers to base a decision from. 2dr or 4dr with D60s....doesn't matter. It's all about use. Sounds like a fun build.
(effing hate those things....had em, still have em on new axle). In fact, moving on past the D30/44 BJ issue is the big reason to change IMO. $4k if all the stars align and you find the right buyer (I've seen it more than once), but that is pretty rare around me. Best of luck with your build. Call fusion and price out a package so you have firm numbers to base a decision from. 2dr or 4dr with D60s....doesn't matter. It's all about use. Sounds like a fun build.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
From: Denver
Unless you're out running baja crap and jumping dunes, I'm not sure why you think the D44s are gonna blow up. Until my last axle swap, I'd been on rubi alxes I built up with 37s for the last 5+ years, and I wheeled the heck outta that. I had a locker die, but that was not tire related at all. If you have the money and are in it for the build, then by all means. Sure depends on what kinda of wheelin you do I. Just sayin'. Not sure what you're thinking "retail" is on those rubi axles, but factor in ~$3500 maybe considering geared with those pos ball joints (effing hate those things....had em, still have em on new axle). In fact, moving on past the D30/44 BJ issue is the big reason to change IMO. $4k if all the stars align and you find the right buyer (I've seen it more than once), but that is pretty rare around me.
Best of luck with your build. Call fusion and price out a package so you have firm numbers to base a decision from. 2dr or 4dr with D60s....doesn't matter. It's all about use. Sounds like a fun build.
(effing hate those things....had em, still have em on new axle). In fact, moving on past the D30/44 BJ issue is the big reason to change IMO. $4k if all the stars align and you find the right buyer (I've seen it more than once), but that is pretty rare around me.Best of luck with your build. Call fusion and price out a package so you have firm numbers to base a decision from. 2dr or 4dr with D60s....doesn't matter. It's all about use. Sounds like a fun build.
JK Jedi
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 11,363
Likes: 2,089
From: Willow Park, TX
Here's my experience -
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...ebuild-347721/
The "rebuild" is just a joke IMO. Happy reading.
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/modi...ebuild-347721/
The "rebuild" is just a joke IMO. Happy reading.