I can get a front Dana 44 rubicon stock axle with a locker for 2,500 when a normal customer would have to pay 3,600 dollars for it thanks to my employe discount. I have a Dana 30 for my front axle and it is worth 2,600 right now and I could sell it for half that since it is used and put it towards the new axle. All and all I would be getting a stronger axle with a locker for 1,200 when a locker alone costs 800. So talk me into this or talk me out of this. This is a lot of money.(dana 30) It's practically a new direct bolt in replacement for someone who needs it for half the price of a new one. Do you think it would be hard to sell that? And is getting a Dana 44 in the front with a locker really important? Do I need something like that? :Ijustdontknow:

 

I don;t see many d30's for sale or in the wanted section. Usually when people break their d30's they upgrade. You might be better off parting it out for people looing for axles shafts and such. Maybe I am wrong but I haven't seen much demand for used d30's.

As for the Rubi 44, it is bolt in but not sure how the factory locker will work unless you add all the wiring and stuff. As for "do you need it", it depends. what are you build plans and your wheeling habits. Most people I know just run their dana 30's until they either break and need to upgrade or have enough money for a prorock upgrade (a true dana 44....not the hybrid Jeep gives us).

 

It's about 60% driving on road and 40% driving off road for me. So I like to wheel and I want to get into rock crawling with my jk.

 

I might add that I am sitting 2.5'' of lift and rolling on 35's

 

If you don't plan on getting bigger than 35's or a pro rock 44 it might be a waste. On the rubi 44 you will still need to gusset, sleeves, skids and maybe gears. Here is what is getting done to my jeep as we speak

2012 Dana 30 currently 3.21

Chromoly ball joints $150
Chromoly Yukon 27 spline shafts $300
Yukon zip air locker $700
Lac weld on skids $25
Synergy weld in sleeves $100
Evo gussets $50
Labor $600
Nitro 4.56 gears & instal kits 275

Total cost $2200

I considered getting a rubi 44 and pr44 but this was the break down for those

Rubi 44 $2200 w/4.10 or 3.73's (which I did not want)
Gears $300
Ball joints $150
Lac skids $25
Sleeves $100
Gussets $50
Chromo shafts $450
Labor $800 gear install welding and axle swap
Selling Dana 30 est -350

Total cost $3725 after selling d30

Built PR 44 $4850 installed 4.56 gears locker
Sell d30 -$350

Total cost $4500 after selling d30

For me the rubi 44 was a waste as I would only gain some pinion strength and slight shaft strength for $1500 more
The pr at $2300 more would have made sense if I plan on going over 35" tires which I do not now

Everyone has an opinion this is just mine

 

I was way off on how much the Dana would be sold off for. Money is not to big of an issue I just want to make wise decisions with purchases over a grand. I do not plan going over 35's as of now, but would like to build up my rig like vengeance from offroad evolution. Anyways, getting a bit off topic I suppose this deal that I came up with doesn't sound like its worth it. I think it Is wise to go on the route that you are taking right now.

 

I bought a near new (1500 miles no wheeling) D44 from a member on here and paid $1500. I had to pay $300 shipping (should've been $700 shipping... long story...) and got sleeve, gussets, and a Riddler diff cover. Everything installed ended up being about $2200 total. Is the $2500 installed price or just for the axle?

I then sold my D30, think I got $400 for it and took a few months to sell.

The wiring is easy, it's just a 12v wire and you need a switch to turn it on. A cheap switch is like $5.

 

$2500 brand new from the factory and I don't need to pay labor I can install it myself at the dealer I work at.

 

Seems like a pretty good deal considering it will be brand new.

You'd save money getting used. But if there's not any available in your area that are in excellent shape, might as well go with a new one. Especially if you're doing the work yourself and not paying labor.

 

I would rather have a PR44, even running 35's. The factory D44 is overpriced IMO for what you get, but if you can get a warranty on that setup, might not be a bad deal