I find it interesting how a some have posted on here that the stealership will not honor the warranty because of signs of off road use. To me, this is false advertising on Jeeps part. I know my Jeep and most all others have a trail rated badge on the drivers side and in the owners manual tells you how to work the Jeep off-road. Heck even when the new Wrangler first came out all the commercials were of it off-road (i.e. not on pavement).

 

Yeah i'm going to try to bring it to another dealer nearby and tell them the situation. This dealer basically threatened me by saying that if the regional rep comes out, they could void the entire warranty and not cover anything ever. I dont care, they arent covering it anyway! So i'll go to another dealer who will get my business from now on.

 

Looks like you are looking at 5.13s for an older D44. The JK axles were substancially reengineered for the JKs, generally increasing the strength. The rear pinion gear is much larger than the old D44 for the TJ and will not work. I've seem them starting around $200/axle. You'll likely need shims at a minimum (since your Jeep is fairly new) or another $200 for a rebuild kit, or over $400/axle for parts alone. The install is not a garage job unless you are experienced in gear swaps and have all the nessasary tools such as bearing pullers and a decent press. $1000 would be a killer deal for parts and an install, but you're more likely looking at 1400-1800 bucks to have a competent shop regear, parts included.

That's the bad news. The good news is that in order to keep the costs down, you could swap out the 3.73s in the rear for 4.10s. In fact you'll likely be able to pick up a set up of used gears from a JKer going from 4.10s to 4.88s or higher. I've seen them going on ebay for $50-$150. Add some shims and you could get by for less than $500.

GL

 

Your jeep must be busted....your gearing is LOWER than his, and you can't maintain speed.



Your speedometer, what tire size is it calibrated to?

 

I think there is good sense to what you're saying numbers-wise. The only thing I would add is the subjective nature of the gearing issue. For example, IMO the 4.10's and 32's on the JK are adequate, I don't think I would be all that content with 35's and my current 4.10's, at least with an auto.

The other factor regarding this is the added weight/rolling resistence of larger tires, although this seems to be another issue of debate from all I have read.

 

I was going to post this same thing. I have also done the swap in my X and it's not that bad. I made my own wiring harness and switch. Good luck.

 

I was thinking the 5.13 would be better anyway since i'll end up with a 4.5" lift, 35s and lots of weight from the skid plates and 12000 HD winch.

So the plan is to get the D44 with new gearing front and back 5.13 delivered for $2500. Now I need to find a tech with the skill and tools to install it. Friends in the Jeep club said they could do it but we dont have a press and its tricky to calibrate loads without the right gauges.

 

I thought that the JK D30 and D44 used the same outer axels and ujoint size? I see plenty of people on here with busted D44 ujoints. You will get a larger ring/pion going to the 44 but I am not sure that this swap will fix the ujoint issue?

 

how have you had 2 U-joint failures under 10,000 miles, with only a 2" spacer lift and 33's???

do you have the lifetime powertrain warranty?

 

The 44 has larger inner shafts and larger u-joints. Tubes and knuckles are the same. The u-joints still have the tendency to lose the clips unless modified for full-sircle clips or tack welded.