Opinions wanted on rear diff options

Richard1958

Richard1958

Bonded at the wallet
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2018
Messages
56
Location
Berwick, ME, USA
Greetings from southern Maine!
I’m getting ready to have differential service done on my 02 TJ and I’d appreciate some opinions on options. The previous owner blew up this Dana 44 at some point and rebuilt it but left the chewed-up spider gears. Now that I’ve put the Jeep up for the winter, I want to have the whole thing replaced and maybe upgraded. I’m basically doing Class 6 roads and maybe occasionally something a bit rougher off the logging roads, that’s about it. I’d like to hear your opinions on what you think the best upgrade option would be, if any.
 
Richard1958 said:
Greetings from southern Maine!
I’m getting ready to have differential service done on my 02 TJ and I’d appreciate some opinions on options. The previous owner blew up this Dana 44 at some point and rebuilt it but left the chewed-up spider gears. Now that I’ve put the Jeep up for the winter, I want to have the whole thing replaced and maybe upgraded. I’m basically doing Class 6 roads and maybe occasionally something a bit rougher off the logging roads, that’s about it. I’d like to hear your opinions on what you think the best upgrade option would be, if any.
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what size tire are you running or plan to run?
 
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Richard1958 said:
Greetings from southern Maine!
I’m getting ready to have differential service done on my 02 TJ and I’d appreciate some opinions on options. The previous owner blew up this Dana 44 at some point and rebuilt it but left the chewed-up spider gears. Now that I’ve put the Jeep up for the winter, I want to have the whole thing replaced and maybe upgraded. I’m basically doing Class 6 roads and maybe occasionally something a bit rougher off the logging roads, that’s about it. I’d like to hear your opinions on what you think the best upgrade option would be, if any.
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Is the diff making noise or otherwise giving you problems? Dana 44 is a good axle. Its worth rebuilding
 
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Rickyd said:
Is the diff making noise or otherwise giving you problems? Dana 44 is a good axle. Its worth rebuilding
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Nah, it’s just fine otherwise. I’m just wondering if maybe I should upgrade to a TrueTrac or similar if it makes sense. I’m always hearing about “TrashLoc” and if that’s the case, why not upgrade? Or are TracLoc diffs not so bad?
 
Stay with the Dana 44, if you have the coin I’d definitely spring for a limited slip true-trac. The LSD may be best if you’re daily driving through the winter Maine conditions. If it’s more of a summer trail rig, a selectable locker would be even better
 
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IPerkWVU said:
Stay with the Dana 44, if you have the coin I’d definitely spring for a limited slip true-trac. The LSD may be best if you’re daily driving through the winter Maine conditions. If it’s more of a summer trail rig, a selectable locker would be even better
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Yup, I was leaning toward the True Trac but wanted to get other opinions.
 
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I guess it depends on what you use it for and if the trakloc is worn out? If the trakloc is tight it could give you years of dirt road service. My father's tj has a Dana 44 trakloc he uses for hunting with 150k that works fine.
Truetrac is cool because there are no clutches to wear out inside. So you can get a tire up in the air spinning and it won't get smoked like the clutch pack type( but you'll still be stuck) Locking diff would be better for any terrain where the axles are flexed enough to lose traction. Selectable locker being the most expensive of all choices.
 
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