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Rear Axle and Diff Removal 98 TJ

6K views 3 replies 4 participants last post by  Water Dog 
#1 ·
Hey guys I'm in some deep trouble. So I was driving in the rain the other day and accidentally dropped the clutch thinking it would get kinda loose but it ended up breaking off two teeth on the spider gears in the rear differential. It's a stock limited slip diff and I'm new to working on cars but I need help determining exactly how to go about rebuilding my back axle. I currently am running Dana 35's and want to upgrade to 44's on the back as well as go to a ARB air locker differential. I have drum brakes on the rear and also need to replace the drive shafts in front and back due to getting high centered while wheeling and putting them off center (Need all new Ujoints and front drive shaft for sure due to groove and and offcenter). Around 3.5k budget and can do all labor with my neighbor who had car lift and was mechanic.

So in conclusion I need to buy a new rear axle with a locking diff (3.73 ratio so I hopefully don't have to regear) and Dana 44's ASAP. How should I go about buying a new rear axle and diff and drive shafts?

PS:
98 TJ 4.0
33" with 4" lift
 
#2 ·
Lots of options for bolts in axle and drive shafts. Tom wood or adams make good driveshafts. For bolt in axles ECGS.com Northridge, car-parts.com,tons of our forum vendors sell axles as wel. Call a few local shops if there are any in your area and price shop. Might need to increase your budget a bit though with all you are wanting. also might want to consider runing some lower gears if your going to spend that much on a axle. granted you would need to change the front gears too.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Buying a new D44 with a locker will eat up your budget.
A lot depends on your plans for the future. If you eventually plan on going to larger tires at some point, you will need to regear both axles at that time, so it may pay you to wait on the locker until that time.

Another option may be to keep your D35 and install a super 35 kit from revolution gear and axle. That will make your d35 strong enough to not only handle a locker, but 35" tires as well.

You may be able to find a used D44 axle on cl, but they are getting harder and harder to find, and are pricey when you do find them, but if you can, that could be a good way to go. There are D44's out there out of wranglers that came geared 3.73 from the factory, but the rubi D44's had 4.10's in them.

I agree with Dextreme, just replace the spiders, and it will buy you time to shop for another axle.

BTW, if you are looking to wheel with a great group of guys, check out Bayside Adventure Sports in Granite Bay....http://www.baysideadventuresports.com/4x4.html
 
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