Sorry, but it's an axle thread

Buchi_Mang

Buchi_Mang

New Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2024
Messages
1
Location
South Dakota
Hello all,

Long time lurker, recently found a dream Jeep of mine and picked up a 2005 Jeep TJ Unlimited for a way less then a deserved!

The previous owner installed a 5.5” Rock Krawler long arm lift (triangulated), 4.88 gears, a Detroit rear locker, a ton of Fish bone armor (to be replaced with Gen Right stuff), and 37” tires on stock axles.

Currently my biggest concern is the fact I have 37” tires on a stock Dana 30 up front and a not so great Dana 44 in the rear. I would like to continue running the 37” tires, and maybe several years (or whenever my wife decides she’s had enough of my hobbies and divorces me) to jump up to 40’s

I am not a fabricator, I have never dealt with axles, and I have little to no desire to learn how to weld at this point in my life. With that being said, I have searched and read to the point my head feels like it is going to explode. I know my first priority is to replace the front Dana 30. I would like to go with a Currie 44, or a “bolt in” Dana 60 up front.

I understand the Dana 30 and Dana 44 utilize the same ball joints and it would be unwise to continue to run 37’s due to having to consistently replace the not up to par ball joints. As I was searching for Dana 60’s, it appears no manufacturer makes a “Bolt in” front Dana 60 with the stock TJ 60.5” WMS.

I have found a front Dana 60 that is “Bolt in” and has a WMS of 63”.

My question is can I run a Dana 60 upfront that is wider then my rear axle without any negative side affects? I would eventually be replacing the rear axle, but it’d likely be 2-years or so after the front is done.

I feel like I am overthinking this, but I don’t want to spend this amount of money, install everything, and have to put all the stock parts back on.

This build is used as a daily driver and weekended warrior. I intend to rock crawl out here in South Dakota and eventually make a run at Moab when I feel like the Jeep is capable of keeping up with my friends.

Very sorry for the long post.
 
Welcome!
Tom Hanks Hello GIF
 
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Buchi_Mang said:
I understand the Dana 30 and Dana 44 utilize the same ball joints and it would be unwise to continue to run 37’s due to having to consistently replace the not up to par ball joints. As I was searching for Dana 60’s, it appears no manufacturer makes a “Bolt in” front Dana 60 with the stock TJ 60.5” WMS.

I have found a front Dana 60 that is “Bolt in” and has a WMS of 63”.

My question is can I run a Dana 60 upfront that is wider then my rear axle without any negative side affects? I would eventually be replacing the rear axle, but it’d likely be 2-years or so after the front is done.
Click to expand...

Welcome

(And gave your question a bump.)
 
Buchi_Mang said:
Hello all,

Long time lurker, recently found a dream Jeep of mine and picked up a 2005 Jeep TJ Unlimited for a way less then a deserved!

The previous owner installed a 5.5” Rock Krawler long arm lift (triangulated), 4.88 gears, a Detroit rear locker, a ton of Fish bone armor (to be replaced with Gen Right stuff), and 37” tires on stock axles.

Currently my biggest concern is the fact I have 37” tires on a stock Dana 30 up front and a not so great Dana 44 in the rear. I would like to continue running the 37” tires, and maybe several years (or whenever my wife decides she’s had enough of my hobbies and divorces me) to jump up to 40’s

I am not a fabricator, I have never dealt with axles, and I have little to no desire to learn how to weld at this point in my life. With that being said, I have searched and read to the point my head feels like it is going to explode. I know my first priority is to replace the front Dana 30. I would like to go with a Currie 44, or a “bolt in” Dana 60 up front.

I understand the Dana 30 and Dana 44 utilize the same ball joints and it would be unwise to continue to run 37’s due to having to consistently replace the not up to par ball joints. As I was searching for Dana 60’s, it appears no manufacturer makes a “Bolt in” front Dana 60 with the stock TJ 60.5” WMS.

I have found a front Dana 60 that is “Bolt in” and has a WMS of 63”.

My question is can I run a Dana 60 upfront that is wider then my rear axle without any negative side affects? I would eventually be replacing the rear axle, but it’d likely be 2-years or so after the front is done.

I feel like I am overthinking this, but I don’t want to spend this amount of money, install everything, and have to put all the stock parts back on.

This build is used as a daily driver and weekended warrior. I intend to rock crawl out here in South Dakota and eventually make a run at Moab when I feel like the Jeep is capable of keeping up with my friends.

Very sorry for the long post.
Click to expand...

Although I wouldn’t advise it, if you are set on doing the 60 up front first, to answer your question it will not cause any problems running a wider axle in front. You can easily add 1.25” spacers in the back to get close to the front.

There is a reason no one offers a stock width dana 60 for a TJ.

Which axle are you considering?
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Although I wouldn’t advise it, if you are set on doing the 60 up front first, to answer your question it will not cause any problems running a wider axle in front. You can easily add 1.25” spacers in the back to get close to the front.

There is a reason no one offers a stock width dana 60 for a TJ.

Which axle are you considering?
Click to expand...

Who wants a stock width front Dana 60?!!

Get the fuck out?!!
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Although I wouldn’t advise it, if you are set on doing the 60 up front first, to answer your question it will not cause any problems running a wider axle in front. You can easily add 1.25” spacers in the back to get close to the front.

There is a reason no one offers a stock width dana 60 for a TJ.

Which axle are you considering?
Click to expand...

Sir, this member can help you-

And you are on the right forum. We wrench.
 
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Buchi_Mang said:
or whenever my wife decides she’s had enough of my hobbies and divorces me)
Click to expand...

This only took 45 years for me, she tells me she hates everything I've worked my whole life for, I told her.......maybe you should have mentioned that a bit earlier, I would be a lot further along with my new life if you would have shared that bit of information with me. , bye bye.
 
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MutantNinjaTJ said:
This only took 45 years for me, she tells me she hates everything I've worked my whole life for, I told her.......maybe you should have mentioned that a bit earlier, I would be a lot further along with my new life if you would have shared that bit of information with me. , bye bye.
Click to expand...

Did her life get better?
 
MutantNinjaTJ said:
Well she just got out of a month of alcohol rehab if that's any indication of how it's going for her.
Click to expand...

You know that kind of goes in the category of “ Are you happy now”

In other words people do all kinds of things and say all kinds of things thinking that the other person is making them miserable and for the most part we all end up seeing that happiness is an inside job.

People take them selves with them when they go.
 
Currie doesn't want my business. I tried to give them my money three times, but they aren't having it. This quote is off their website.... and it is bullshit.. "So no matter what the application, bring us your problem and Currie Enterprises will create the perfect solution for your needs."
What were my outrageous demands? I asked that the studs on their rear low pinion be installed in the 5x5.5 holes and be 9/16" NO and NO was curries answer. Ok, so just leave the studs out....... NOPE. Fine, I'll buy the HP60!! Yeah, that's 5x4.5 only.

At this point, Only Fusion and ECGS are left. I checked with Teraflex but they only do 63.5", and I ONLY want stock width, plus their centers are cast in China and since covid they still are having supply chain issues.
I have decided on Fusions Dana 60. It's expensive, I'd say overpriced except for there are so few options left for us TJ/ LJ hold outs.
 
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Old Pueblo said:
Currie doesn't want my business. I tried to give them my money three times, but they aren't having it. This quote is off their website.... and it is bullshit.. "So no matter what the application, bring us your problem and Currie Enterprises will create the perfect solution for your needs."
What were my outrageous demands? I asked that the studs on their rear low pinion be installed in the 5x5.5 holes and be 9/16" NO and NO was curries answer. Ok, so just leave the studs out....... NOPE. Fine, I'll buy the HP60!! Yeah, that's 5x4.5 only.

At this point, Only Fusion and ECGS are left. I checked with Teraflex but they only do 63.5", and I ONLY want stock width, plus their centers are cast in China and since covid they still are having supply chain issues.
I have decided on Fusions Dana 60. It's expensive, I'd say overpriced except for there are so few options left for us TJ/ LJ hold outs.
Click to expand...

I'm not surprised. The person I originally tried to get my Curries from actually refused to sell Currie's because of having to deal with them.

I eventually ordered them through a member here. I got mine with 5 x 5.5 with 5/8" studs.
 
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Old Pueblo said:
Currie doesn't want my business. I tried to give them my money three times, but they aren't having it. This quote is off their website.... and it is bullshit.. "So no matter what the application, bring us your problem and Currie Enterprises will create the perfect solution for your needs."
What were my outrageous demands? I asked that the studs on their rear low pinion be installed in the 5x5.5 holes and be 9/16" NO and NO was curries answer. Ok, so just leave the studs out....... NOPE. Fine, I'll buy the HP60!! Yeah, that's 5x4.5 only.

At this point, Only Fusion and ECGS are left. I checked with Teraflex but they only do 63.5", and I ONLY want stock width, plus their centers are cast in China and since covid they still are having supply chain issues.
I have decided on Fusions Dana 60. It's expensive, I'd say overpriced except for there are so few options left for us TJ/ LJ hold outs.
Click to expand...

I don't understand why you want that size stud and that is a silly hill to die on. Stock width should be something that G2 can do off the shelf but not with that stud diameter. Stock width is bizarre but they should be able to do it or very close to it. Why stock width?
 
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Apparition said:
I'm not surprised. The person I originally tried to get my Curries from actually refused to sell Currie's because of having to deal with them.

I eventually ordered them through a member here. I got mine with 5 x 5.5 with 5/8" studs.
Click to expand...

What do you figure the chances are for getting another one just like the one you have?
 
mrblaine said:
What do you figure the chances are for getting another one just like the one you have?
Click to expand...

Probably slim. But it goes to show they could do it if they wanted too.

I assume the person who I ordered them through is no longer a source or I'd have suggested it. You'd know better than I.
 
Apparition said:
Probably slim. But it goes to show they could do it if they wanted too.

I assume the person who I ordered them through is no longer a source or I'd have suggested it. You'd know better than I.
Click to expand...

Slim left a long time ago. And no, they don't want to which means it won't happen. I'm working on a set of axle that were done right after yours. The front is not the width we ordered because they don't do that any more. It is an Extreme 60 because we don't do the regular 60 any more. They do off the shelf. If it isn't on the shelf, you don't get it and in case anyone is not connecting the dots, that is 100% why Rockjock 4x4 exists.
 
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mrblaine said:
Slim left a long time ago. And no, they don't want to which means it won't happen. I'm working on a set of axle that were done right after yours. The front is not the width we ordered because they don't do that any more. It is an Extreme 60 because we don't do the regular 60 any more. They do off the shelf. If it isn't on the shelf, you don't get it and in case anyone is not connecting the dots, that is 100% why Rockjock 4x4 exists.
Click to expand...

My axles are the extremes. I didn't know what that was when ordered them. In looking at their site they still sell the unit bearings with 5 x 5.5 and 5/8" studs.
 
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