I'm planning on re-gearing to 5.13 soon and going to put an ARB locker in my non-rubicon rear 44. I see that there's a kit for chromoly 35 spline shafts with ARB locker. It's a $400 price increase but would give me stouter axles in the rear for 37 tires (running 35s now) when I can afford them. I'm a moderate wheeler, mostly rock crawling, but looking to do more challenging stuff in the future. My budget is tight but do you think I should spring for the upgraded axle shafts since I'm doing the gearing?

 

if you can afford it, i would do it.

 

I would go for it too. Just remember that if and when you decied to up grade later that you will have to buy a new ARB to do it. My 2 cents would be to do the up grade right the first time and have a little peace of mind when you do put the 37's on.

 

Yea, this is what I was thinking too. Those lockers are expensive. Thanks for the input guys!

 

Sure if budget allows... But i'd also look at trussing it.

On another note what about the front axle? The D30 running 5.13's is going to grenade way long before the rear D44 even running the stock D44 shafts...

 

this is true. the pinion on a d30 5.13 is very very small and will be a weak point. if you go this route, i would not lock up the front.

 

Yea, I'm not gonna run a locker in the d30 or bother doing anything other than the gussets I already have b/c i believe it would be a waste of money. PR 44 (with ARB locker) is in future for the front but that won't be for at least a year.