Just like the title says, how dependable are the stock D44 Rubicon lockers? I previously owned a TJ and now own a 2 door JK Rubicon and was just wondering how dependable the lockers are? Planning on running 35s and out here in SoCal doing some rocky trails. Thanks for any input!

 

I’ve had my jk for about 2.5 years now and have run it with 35’s and now 37’s. I haven’t had any issues with my lockers. I try about every obstacle I come across so it gets wheeled pretty well. I think the dependability question always lies on how much you abuse it, how well you maintain it, and a bit of luck.

 

IMO, they are good enough for what their intended purpose in a factory rubicon was. For extra traction on light trails with a lightly modified rig they're just fine. The issue for me isn't so much strength as reliability and two points of failure. First is the magnet actuator that fails and then your locker won't work. You can replace this part, though it doesn't make a lot of financial sense. Way back in the day they didn't even make them and the only option was to replace the whole locker. Then they hit the market and I want to say they were ~$160, and quickly shot up over $360. Replacement then means tearing the entire axle apart to pull the carrier, remove carrier bearings, remove crapped out actuator and press on all new stuff. At the end of the day you're left with the same rubi locker with same cruddy part that is bound to fail. The second way they can fail is the wave spring that separates the dog clutch when the locker is turned off. I've had one of these go and it is really, REALLY frustrating because it's not a replaceable part. It simply turns your locker into a paperweight.

To add insult to injury, that rear locker is 32-spline. Most of the time you will have upgraded to chromoly shafts. If you're locker craps out and you decided to put something else back there you'd be disheartened to see what your options are. I would rather take a non-rubi D44 rear axle and stick a 35-spline locker and shafts in it if you were going to stick with a D44 back there. Just my opinion.

Just like many things.....they are just fine, until they aren't....then they are a headache. To be completely fair, I've seen Eaton lockers fail and ARB air lockers have their own various issues from time to time with air lines and actuators. I'd say I wouldn't let something like that stop someone from buying a Rubicon but I would tell someone that was buying a set of Rubi axles for a swap that they might be better off keeping their non-rubi rear axle and upgrading it. For you, I wouldn't worry about it with the Rubicon you own. Go out and have fun with it with no need to stress. Those lockers will get you through a lot of stuff with 35s. If you ever noticed it taking longer and longer to unlock, or it's not locking, then you'll have to start thinking about this stuff more. You are much more likely to have issues with the dumb electronics than the mechanical aspect of the lockers.

 

You should be fine on 35's

 

Been running the stock D44 lockers on the black one for 11yrs...not a single problem with them and I've regeared them both (black one twice regeared). I wheel them both on 39s and daily the black on one 39s and the JT on 37s. Aside from adding a Pro Rock 44 up front on the JK...its really just the housing and ball joints. I relocated the stock axle shafts and locker over to it.


CNs - I wouldn't hesitate to rely on them.

 

Thanks for the response everyone, being that i enjoy playing in the rocks here in SoCal I understand their good until they “aren’t” but I think they should hold up in the following terrain, thoughts?

 

Your locker doesn’t care about flex, climbs, or being tippy. It only cares about stress it’s under, that only happens when there’s a force on it from large tires or a heavy right foot. Bottom line, be easy on the gas and don’t race over obstacles and you’ll be fine.

 

Thanks for the input dude, I thought maybe the stress of one tire going over a boulder or crawling thru rock gardens with uneven pressure on each side of the axle would have some influence on the stress on the lockers, I've only had auto lockers in my previous TJ so I may need to understand selectable lockers better. I appreciate the response dude!

 

Did you see the pics I posted? Similar stuff...for years. All lockers can be problematic.

 

14 years and 161k miles with LOTS of off-roading and I've never had an issue with my D44 lockers. The big thing is to engage them periodically when you haven't been going off road to keep them engaging and disengaging easily and quickly. Get 'em on a gravel road or driveway once a month and engage/disengage them.