Disclaimer, some really dumb questions with what may seem like obvious answers to some may and likely will be asked. If you plan to troll or generally enjoy being a weiner, please move along.

Ok, so here's the deal. Back in Feb. of 2009 I got a SWEET deal on my 2007 13,500 mile Sahara JKU. It was a great deal regardless but part of the low price was due to the fact that she was/is missing some pretty important parts. A few of those being, front diff, t-case, front drive shaft. Yes, for a few years, Jeep made a 2x4 Wrangler. Now, I've toyed with the idea of trading her in, after all, I've got a good deal of positive equity. It's just that my credit just isn't what it used to be, I'm dang close to payoff and I guess we've kinda bonded a bit. So, after much debate and more teasing than I'd care to mention, I've decided to put her under the knife, err, wrench and give her the life she was destined for. Converting "her" to a "him".
I've done some research and it seems easy enough of a conversion but I do have some questions. This is uncharted territory for me so you will have to please forgive me if some of my questions seem dumb. I've searched other forums, pm'd others but I can't seem to get straight answers from people that don't have something smart ass to say. Trade in is not an option and I plan on doing this with mostly OE parts. Budget is key. I know some will see it better to pro rock 60 and atlas it but if I had that cash flow, I'd just pay someone else to work out the details.

To start I know (please correct me on any of this if I'm wrong)
I'll need a front axel/housing to match my 4.10, likely rubi because of gearing but I hear tale of the 07 Sahara's having stock 4.10's in a D30 up front.

I'll need a transfer case, rubi crawler prefered but not necessary.

I'll need a tail shaft adapter from mopar to make it work with my transmission.

I'll need the 4wd shifter and linkage.

Will stock drive shafts work still or will I need custom shafts? I am figuring I'll get a custom front shaft eventually anyways since it has 3" lift and will likely end up 3.5-4" lifted on 35's. (to save the boot) but will stock work until then or not at all?

Let's try to keep speculation to a minimum. Thanks for any help.



-Nathan

 

Budget being key, and the fact that i don't know for certain that dc put 4.10 in a d30, my opinion is this...
Either look on e bay or at local scrap yards for the front axle and transfer case non rubi will probably be easier accessible and less expensive. check your prices and availability, it may be cheaper to find a front axle, whether it be a d30 or a d44 and take it with whatever gears are in it and either replace your rear gears to match the new axle, or buy the front gears to match your rear and install them before installing the new front axle. With light wheeling and nothing bigger than 35's the d30 would be fine, and will probably be easier to find since a lot of jeepers swap that out for a d44 and it will also mostly likely be less expensive. as long as you don't disco your front end a stock oem drive shaft should be fine for a while even after you rip the boot! As far as anything that will have to be fabbed up i couldn't tell ya, and I'm not sure how you would go about mounting the t case...I've never been underneath a 2x4 so i don't know what that would involve?

 

Try the wanted section of the forum for parts

 

I agree: call salvage yards and ask if they have any JKs. Also, searching eBay within a close radius of you is good as well as Craigslist.

 

My 07 X came with 4.10 up front in the Dana 30. The only ones that have it, besides the rubicon of course, are the ones that came with the tow package. Just backing up the tales your hearing.

 

Awsome, keep info coming. Also, how would I be able to tell gearing on a junkyard axel? What all should I get as far as the axel goes? What will transfer from mine? I plan on installing the front end first and rolling that way until I buy more goodies. I've named it "Hammy" cuz it's gonna use some hammydown parts lol.

As it sits currently.


3" lift on stock with dipped OE 18's.
Capped OE stubby and 35's with dipped OE 17's in garage awaiting install.

-Nathan

 

Think I'd be looking for a complete totalled JK. As you are looking for a lot of front end parts, one that had been hit in the rear would be good. Also, it would not matter if the total was a JK or JKU. (if its a JK, you'd need to find a JKU rear drive shaft) When you have what you need, sell the rest for scrap.

 

Were are you located at. I have a frend that gets all kinds of jk parts

 

SE Texas.

-Nathan

 

Seems like that would be a lot more money and effort when I can just buy what I need from the salvage yard.

-Nathan