JK front axle options

[Elkhunter96]

Back in the jeep game, picked up a wrecked JK that needs a new front axle. What are your recommendations? I know the standard, Teraflex, Currie and Dynatrac. Anyone in the Wasatch Front that I should check out or may be a bit cheaper than the big three for better than stock axles?

 

[RockChucker]

A lot of it depends on what you are after. If you are after a bolt in stock replacement housing or a bolt in 60 then one of those 3 is the way to go. (I'm partial to TeraFlex because they are local and work there but that is beside the point). I have heard of JK guys using super duty axles. Apparently they have very similar teeth count on the tone rings that can be adjusted for with an AEV procal or similar gadget. Torq also offers a bolt in dropout 14 bolt for front and rear of the JK.

There isn't really a super cheap option for the JK. It isn't as easy to put in non OEM axles because of all the electronics that make your JK "safer"

 

[Elkhunter96]

I am not looking for extreme, but something like a heavy duty Dana 44. I will be running 35s and will eventually put some type of locker in the front like an arb. It will be mostly street, hunting in the mountains, with a Moab mixed in. When I go extreme, it will be with an older jeep like a yj as the base.

I have been looking at the Teraflex 44 for the housing and it is high on the list, I just want to know what else is out there or other options guys have used for their JK. Thanks.

 

[mbryson]

For 35" tires, a stock D30 or Rubicon D44 (same as a D30 except the centersection) housing is strong enough with some of the aftermarket gusset kits (at least that's internet lore---I'm going there myself but have no wheeling experience with my JK yet) for most people's use. In my opinion, a Tera D30 or D44 replacement housing would be a good way to go if you don't have a welder or access to one. They seem to have addressed the weaknesses I've seen in the stock housings. I'm not familiar with the Currie or Dynatrac options, but they should be good just based on their corp histories.

 

[BCGPER]

If I were in your situation, I’d be looking for a used JK 30. I would say go with a used 44, but they bring a premium. Before installing it, sleeve or truss the tubes, and add knuckle gussets. Install new trick ball joints (Synergy, Tera, ect) while it’s apart. Reuse your old gears if needed, and you’ll have all the anti-lock crap already in place. Fairly cheap swap, and plenty strong for 35” tires.

 

[frieed]

I think I remember hearing the D30 has a smaller ring that limits gearing options.

 

[Elkhunter96]

The d30 is a bit small for 35s, the only one I would even consider with be the Tera 30. . I took out one stock 30 when I had my TJ, not to mention several d35s. I would like to use a d44 as a min, either a stock one or a heavier duty one...like the t44.

 

[OB1]

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=24420767&cat=&lpid=&search=JK wrangler&ad_cid=1
I don't know if this will help but I just found it on KSL

 

[corbin.black]

right now im in the process of beefing up a JK 44 front and they are easy to work on. so far it is trussed and im getting ready to upgrade the ball joints (like mentioned above) then when I can, im going to sleeve it as well and plan on running 37's on my grand cherokee. if you can find a JK rubi 44 front end for the right price, they arent a bad option. although the t44 would be my choice if I had the $$

 

[Kssting]

The ring and pinion are smaller on the 30's and the inner shafts are smaller diameter as well. I have a truss and gussets on my 44 and can't imagine breaking it now but a TF44 still would have been nice.

 

[mesha]

Building a Tera 44 housing that is the standard carrier version would be pretty awesome.

 

[Navigator]

Talk to Mitch at Unlimited Fabrication, he's got what you need.

 

[skippy]

PM me or mesha we can get you a killer price on a Tera44 if you decide to go that route.

For the record I am running a JK Dana 30 with 37s, I will be building a Tera 44 any day now

 

[Elkhunter96]

Pm sent skippy