Jaysd

Wuebben.2

Yes you can swap a rubi D44 in the front of your JK very easily. As far as the locker, you'd have to wire it to your own switch but that too seems pretty easy as well.

I'm planning to do this exact swap your asking about once I find a reasonably priced axle or set of axles close to me.

Jaysd

nthinuf

Yep, same mounts, same dimensions, same hubs and brakes, no problem to bolt up a rubi44 instead. There have been quite a few posts about wiring the locker, but I didn't save any of the links - shouldn't be hard to find though. What gear ratio are you running now? Newer rubi axles can come with either 3.73 or 4.10, but not 3.21.

And you might want to price out some of the aftermarket D44's as well, (Dynatrac, Teraflex, G2, etc) especially if the insurance company is just handing you a check.

Jaysd

nthinuf

I went to a PR44 and regeared the rear instead of replacing my broke d30 with another one. I would guess that most here would probably say to go for it as well, especially since you are in a situation of replacing the entire front axle anyway. Just list out the prices for both routes and see where you end up.

Think about things that might sway your opinion one way or the other, like: how do you feel about the performance now? Could it use a little more pep from going to a numerically higher gear ratio? Do you take it offroad? Planning on a lift and/or bigger tires? Any thoughts of adding a rear traction device? Is it still under warranty, and how will that be affected by whatever you choose? ... Whatever other questions I forgot about.

jk_southwest

These are the questions you need to ask yourself. Swapping the D30 for the D44 is a pretty straight forward process. Depending on tire size, just regear the rear end to match.

resharp001

I swapped to Rubi axles several years back. I ended up building up the front, all 1/4" bracketry, truss, gussets, DT ball joints, regeared to 5.13 (with my 3.6L). Be honest with yourself how you use your jeep. If you don't offroad much, stick a used D30 under there as they should be a dime a dozen in most places. If you feel like you need a locker up front, just do yourself a favor and go aftermarket axle like nuthinuf. I got a great deal on a crated axle, did almost all the work myself or at fraction of cost. I've done the math in a different thread.....most people that go my route will end up spending almost as much as just buying an aftermarket axle, and they'll still end up with a significantly weaker axle. That said, if you get an aftermarket front, or you slap a rubi in, you're looking at probably another $750 +/- to regear the rear end....and then you'll be asking yourself if you should add a locker or lsd in the rear at the same time. It's going to cost more than you planned.

There was someone selling a SET to rubi axles with 4.10's for $2700 on the Marketplace. Looks like those sold while I was out of town. Someone got a great deal!