I am heading in the direction of Rock Jock 60's front and rear. With the tilted cover they are only 5/8" less ground clearance than the D44's I have now, or so I'm told. Currently running 35" but will go to 37" tires with the Rock Jock installed. I see two ways to go, stock width or something like the 70" wide sets. Curry has the front without the outer knuckles and you can use your Dana 44 knuckles and keep the 5x5 bolt pattern and brakes and keeps the stock width. Option two is the follow route
https://www.g2axle.com/pages/view/RockJock60_JK_Front
They are wider, 6 lug, manual locking hubs and bigger brakes I think. Means new wheels which is not that big of deal. Can I run a little more back space to regain some of the width they add? I like the stock width but the wider set up should have tougher stronger knuckles and bigger outer shafts?
The Currie stock width is here.
https://www.currieenterprises.com/cu...con-width-copy

Which way would you go and why?

 

Especially if going to 37's or bigger the wider axles and more backspacing on the wheels is a stronger setup with less stress on bearings etc.

I considered going with a stock width rear after I destroyed my Rubicon 44. I managed to get a great deal on a takeoff so I went with that instead. I plan on staying on 35s so the extra width is no as big an advantage.

 

You would Ideally go with a 68-70" WMS with 37" tires. Better scrub radius, less stress on the outers, more room on the axle tube for bracket placement. Get it caster corrected for at least 4" of lift.

 

Yes - You can run a wheel with a little more backspacing since the axle will be wider.

I am installing UD60s now, 69in wide, currently have a 35x12.5 duratracs and can fit a 4.75 backspaced wheel with the UD60. The 35s are nearly done and I plan on running a 37x12.5 next, something like the STT Pro or KM3 which are both offered in a 37x13.5 and 37x12.5. 4.75 is the deepest you can go and you may want to consider a 4.5 or even a 4 but I do have the 4.75 fitting now with a 12.5in wide tire.

If/when the time comes for 40s I'd have to run a 3.5 backspaced wheel with the UD60. If 40s are seriously in your future you will really want to consider a full width 72in axle from Fusion or Dynatrac so you can run a deep backspaced wheel with that 40in tire for the optimal scrub radius up front.

I'll just add, I would not spend on the money on semi-float axles which is one of the paths you are considering, reusing your knuckles and 5x5 wheels. You are so close to the cost of full float axles that I believe it is worth saving for them.


Edit:
Also want to add that "Mike's Jeep" was a great resource for me. He is running UD60s, 37s, 4.75in wheels, etc.. Some of the articles are a bit dated especially price-wise and it doesn't factor newer options on the market since then like G2 Rockjock or Fusion 4x4.
His articles and install are all a great read
https://mikesjeep.com/articles/dana-60-shoot-out

 

Thanks, That is info to consider. I will have to read through the "Mikes Jeep" stuff. I've been surviving with Dana 44's but want the extra safety factor. Well that and the "Cool" factor! I will look at the UD60 since I have not really considered them.

 

Yea, what I like about Mike's jeep build is that he was just running 37s and wanted the safety factor too. So many posts with guys going to 60s/tons and are immediately pulled into the heavy off-road, rock crawling on stickies crowd. 37s are where I'll be for a few years and I needed a new front axle, decided to invest in the UD60s now to have the assurance moving forward.

There will be others who may tell you to just build up the 44s if 37s is the biggest you'll run.
Its your jeep, your budget, its taken me years to get to this point reading tons of articles, forum posts, Facebook 1 ton groups etc... You'll have to make the decisions that fit you.

Once you start looking at UD60s you'll start to look a Fusion too.
If I had to buy tons right this minute it would likely be Fusion axles. The UD60s have increased in price making them not as much of a deal as they once were compared to what else is on the market. I'm, happy with my UD60s and what I paid but its a different market now.

If you are on Facebook check out the "1 Ton Jeeps" and "Jeeps on Tons" groups.
I'm upset with how Facebook Groups has destroyed the popularity of forums but it is currently has the most active place for discussions on this topic.

 

I know 3 folks that have or had UD60 sets, and I've seen them blown up several times. Seen rear tubes totally rotate and seen carriers/gears blown. One finally scrapped that axle and built a 14b after 4-5 blowups. These are fully capable people too, not just crappy gear jobs. That axle doesn't seem to handle 40s and extra HP when it comes down to it (I realize you're not talking that kinda set up here....just saying).

Totally agree there is no sense spending money on a semi-float axle. If you're gonna spend the jack, just do it right. I've got a rear full float PR60 but primarily cuz it was a complete steal of a deal that I got in an axle/wheel package. It's got a damn leak where the tube is pressed into the pumpkin now . If I was flat out investing in axles it would be Fusion and be done.

 

One of the things I want to consider also is the caster to pinion angle. I know some of the D44 after market housings account for a little better caster with the pinion tilted up as well. I dont see it mentioned on the UD60,G2 or Currie

 

All of the 1-Ton bolt-in axles do account for this even though it is not specifically advertised. You're not finding folks who are sticking these axles into jeeps without any lift.
You may have to reach out to those brand's product reps specifically if you want the details of what the degrees of separation are but these are built with for lifted jeeps.

 

Definitely wider. 68-70. Im at 69 with 4in BS wheels.