I made the mistake asking this question on a different forum and hope yall can help. Let's say I have $6k to spend on a front axle...this is approximate. I want to replace the Dana 30 however I was thinking I'd run the Dana 30 until it broke. I don't mind keeping the new axle in the garage for a little while but have to get it before I get married in June haha. My ultimate goal would be to run 40's but next step might be 37's. I baby the heck out of the 30 and want to push my rig more and not worry about driving home (obviously keeping my wheeling sensible)

So....

ProRock 44 : $5200 (regear rear at time of install)
Dana ultimate 60: $6700 (sit in the garage for a little while until I buy rear and wheels)
ProRock 60: $7900 (would build this in stages--I'd get as much as I could for $6k and then build the rest...learn how to install wheel ends ext)--I'd use the Dana 44 for a while after upgrading it to 35 spline/arb combo

I think the ultimate 60 is a great option but I wish there was an ARB option or the e locker was the 4 pin that is supposedly coming out this year.

 

Out of that line up, I think the D60 is the most sensible. Most would argue that the PR44 isn't up to the challenge that 40's pose and if you're going to a D60, you'll need to get new wheels and other things so you might as well go with the Dana Ultimate instead of the PR. Heck, you may even want to do a different suspension set up and I can't think of a reason you should do so on a PR instead of the D60. Good luck!

 

Thanks! I haven't come a crossed anyone that has actually seen an ultimate 60. I saw a thread that someone used them in their build but haven't been able to find it. Also, can someone share their knowledge between the 2 pin setup currently in the ultimate 60 vs the 4-pin that is supposedly coming out? I've always heard go with ARB...maybe it's something I could upgrade to later on if I wanted. It does look like east coast gears has an ARB option but I've never heard of them and not sure if they Are reputable.

Other thing I like about the ultimate 60 is I can run them on my current setup (3.5" X factor lift). It seems that people automatically are supposed to have coilovers if running the PR60.

Although it sounds dumb, the fiancée doesn't understand the Jeep hobby so I've been told to buy it before we get married lol and honestly I'm okay with something packed in the garage for a little while as I recover and buy the rear. For anyone that wonders, I'm doing this in stages so I keep my liquidity up while house hunting.

 

I am from the dfw area. I will give you a hand if you want to go with junk yard axles. It is a great learning experience, and for 5k, you can get both axles, gears, lockers and a welder.

 

Thought I would expand on that and check my math, I may have been a little low.
front axle... 700
rear axle... 300
gears..... 500
lockers.... 2000
install kit.... 300
brakets.... 500
diff covers... 300
welder... 700
total... 5,300.

I would add 200 for other stuff., so that is $5,500 for two axles. Am I missing anything?

crap, drive shafts... $1,000. So now its $6,500

 

Just do the PR 44 worth the money..

 

Not if he is going to 40's. I would say yes if he was going to do 37's and be done but if your going to play you have to pay I say do a PR60 and be done but that's just the front on 40's the rear needs to be changed too.

 

Oh yea missed the 40's part,eek. IDK for the money I think I'd go with the ultimate 60's.
You have to take into account the width of 60's vs 44's also