Anyone on here build a JK dana44 HD .. Buddy and I just picked up 2 D44HD housings with J8 tubes, from Mopar Performance. Just wondering if there were and little things to watch for. They are suppose to be a direct Rubicon fit.
My scratch build will consist of 5.38 and an OX locker with factory axles (for now).
The Cs are also different and it appears, so far, that the bracketry is a little heavier and welded better. I will confirm this latter in the week when I get back to the shop.
the C's don't look as beefy as I was hoping they would be. Might be a good time to gusset and slap some better then stock ball joints in. I am about 80% sure this is they way I am going to go when I bend mine. Is the pumpkin drilled for wiring for the stock rubi locker?
Of all the bent front ends I've seen its never been the actual C that bends but rather the tube where it is welded into the C. The gusset supports that joint .. In this case with stronger tube I doubt the gusset is required.
good to know. now I am 85% sure going this way Is it drilled and milled for the sensor and the locker wire? Thinking a guy could probably get the stock gears set in for ~300-$500 or so in most places, in my area only one shop that does it and on new gear installs they charge freaking $500 per axle labor. Still comes out to a nice axle compared to anything else.
I will skip the axle trusses but still most likely do the C's . I am guessing the ball joints are stock d44 ball joints so that would make it even more likely if they are better ball joints maybe I would take a gamble. thanks keep us posted.
Yes a friend and I will be doing the build. Since this will be a bench top build and no rush there will be lots of time to set it up right.
Gears can be scary when you are in a rush to get it done. Lots of great info available.
Yes a friend and I will be doing the build. Since this will be a bench top build and no rush there will be lots of time to set it up right.
Gears can be scary when you are in a rush to get it done. Lots of great info available.
This axle is looking better and better to me for the future.
I've been pricing out upgrading my current 44 and the quotes have made me literally sick. Got a 1200 quote for gussets, lca skids and sleeves and ball joints put in. The only thing that was included in that price besides labor was the sleeves, as I have everything else already bought. I still don't know what I really need to do.uke:
Was thinking sleeves were not worth it and was looking into a truss today. The dilemma and confusion continues..
Can you weld or know someone that does? If not wait 'til you hear quotes for a truss install. Significant labor involved in doing something like the artec setup.
Welding was the easy part. Pulling the axle and putting it back in took the most time.
I know with gearing, shops will charge a lot less if
you pull the axle. Just something to think about.
Priced out having my rubicon innards installed into this housing today at a reputable axle shop.
300 if they have to drop and install the axle and 450 to swap and set everything up.
I also found a cheaper price on the housing at 910 to my door.
1660 total and ill still be able to sell my stock housing after to recoup funds.
Build has begun and for me it is a complete build from scratch to replace my D30. Balljoints and axle seals are already installed in housing. Mopar overstock . Com had the D44HD housing for $865. But I got mine from my local dealer for roughly the same price (Jeep club discount).
With the axles out of the jeep the extra cost to punch out the old Ball Joints and put the new ones in should be about $110 buck at $75.00 and hour plus the cost of the BJ's.
The price to pull your axles and R&R BJ would run about $600 plus the price of the BJ's.
If they are charging you $550 with the axles out, you are being robbed and they are double dipping on the labor cost!
You should put the DynaTrac's in now and you won't have to do it again, and if you did it would be much cheaper because they are rebuildable
Yes. Shims are all set up pattern pre-check done. Getting new pinion bearing pressed onto pinion shaft today. Hopefully the final set up tomorrow the prep for instal into the Jeep.
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