I'm surprised an article like this didn't already exist on the site, especially given the number of people who ask how to identify which axles they have on their Jeep Wrangler TJ.
The goal here is to give future TJ owners and new TJ owners a guide on how to identify which axles they have under their TJ.
FRONT AXLES
Dana 30
REAR AXLES
Dana 35c
Aside from the differential covers, the biggest difference between the axles is the size. The number in the name (Dana 30, Dana 44, etc.) is in reference to the sizes of the axle.
Dana 30: This axle the front axle most commonly used on all non-Rubicon model TJs. There was no other front axle option available for the TJs other than the Dana 30, unless you got the Rubicon model, which has the Dana 44 front axle. The Dana 30 came with either 3.07, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56 gears.
Dana 35: This was the rear axle most commonly used on the TJ non-Rubicon models. The Dana 35 came with either 3.07, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56 gears (the 4.56 gears only came in the late model TJ SE's with automagic transmissions).
Dana 44: This axle was used both front and rear on all Rubicon model TJs (03-06), and was also used as an optional rear axle for 97-06 non-Rubicon model TJs. Finding a non-Rubicon model TJ with a Dana 44 rear axle is not very common, and certainly commands a higher resale value. All Rubicon Dana 44s had 4.10 gears, while non-Rubicon model Dana 44 rear axles had 3.55 (97 only) and 3.73 gears.
The goal here is to give future TJ owners and new TJ owners a guide on how to identify which axles they have under their TJ.
FRONT AXLES
Dana 30
- Front axle used on all TJs except the Rubicon model
- Stock gear ratio options = 3.07, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56
- Carrier break = 3.55 / 3.73
- Open carrier - no Trac-Lok limited slip option
- Ring gear diameter = 7.2"
- Ring gear bolts = (10) 3/8 x 20 RH
- Low pinion (short pinion)
- Pinion shaft diameter = 1.376"
- Pinion shaft spline count = 26
- Axle shaft diameter = 1.18"
- Axle shaft spline count = 27 both inner and outer
- Axle shaft u-joints = 5-760x / 5-297x
- WMS-WMS = approximately 60.5"
- 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern
- 181mm
- Standard front axle used on all Rubicon model TJs
- 4.10 gears
- Tru-Lok selectable pneumatic locker - open differential when unlocked
- Ring gear diameter = 8.5"
- Ring gear bolts = (10) 5/16 x 18
- Low pinion
- Pinion shaft diameter = 1.376"
- Pinion shaft spline count = 26
- Axle shaft diameter = 1.31"
- Axle shaft spline count = 30 inner / 27 outer
- Axle shaft u-joints = 5-760x / 5-297x
- WMS-WMS = approximately 60.5"
- 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern
- 194mm
- Note: The outer axle shafts, unit bearings (hubs), knuckles, and brakes are the same as those found on the TJ Dana 30.
REAR AXLES
Dana 35c
- Standard rear axle used on all TJs except the Rubicon model
- Stock gear ratio options = 3.07, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10, 4.56
- Carrier break = 3.31 / 3.55
- Optional Trac-Lok limited slip differential
- Ring gear diameter = 7.5625"
- Ring gear bolts = (8) 3/8 x 24 RH - NOTE: 7/16" x 20 RH used on later model TJs
- Low pinion
- Pinion shaft diameter = 1.406"
- Pinion shaft spline count = 26
- Axle shaft diameter = 1.18"
- Axle shaft spline count = 27
- WMS-WMS = approximately 60.5"
- 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern
- Rubber pressed-in fill plug
- 194mm
- Optional rear axle used on 6 cyl models except the Rubicon model
- Standard on all TJ Unlimited (LJ) models
- Stock gear ratio options - 3.55 (97 only), 3.73
- Carrier Break = 3.73 / 3.92
- Standard Trac-Lok limited slip differential on early model TJs / Optional on later model TJs
- Ring gear diameter = 8.5"
- Ring gear bolts = (10) 3/8 x 24 RH - Note: 7/16" x 20 RH used on later model TJs
- Low pinion
- Pinion shaft diameter = 1.376"
- Pinion shaft spline count = 26
- Axle shaft diameter = 1.31"
- Axle shaft spline count = 30
- WMS-WMS = approximately 60.5"
- 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern
- Available for the 1997 and newer 4.0L TJs only after 7/7/96
- Threaded 3/8" fill plug
- 216mm
- Standard rear axle used on all Rubicon model TJs
- 4.10 gears
- Tru-Lok selectable pneumatic locker - limited slip differential when unlocked
- Ring gear diameter = 8.5"
- Ring gear bolts = (10) 7/16" x ??
- Low pinion
- Pinion shaft diameter = 1.376"
- Pinion shaft spline count = 26
- Axle shaft diameter = 1.31"
- Axle shaft spline count = 30
- WMS-WMS = approximately 60.5"
- 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern
- 216mm
Aside from the differential covers, the biggest difference between the axles is the size. The number in the name (Dana 30, Dana 44, etc.) is in reference to the sizes of the axle.
Dana 30: This axle the front axle most commonly used on all non-Rubicon model TJs. There was no other front axle option available for the TJs other than the Dana 30, unless you got the Rubicon model, which has the Dana 44 front axle. The Dana 30 came with either 3.07, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56 gears.
Dana 35: This was the rear axle most commonly used on the TJ non-Rubicon models. The Dana 35 came with either 3.07, 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 or 4.56 gears (the 4.56 gears only came in the late model TJ SE's with automagic transmissions).
Dana 44: This axle was used both front and rear on all Rubicon model TJs (03-06), and was also used as an optional rear axle for 97-06 non-Rubicon model TJs. Finding a non-Rubicon model TJ with a Dana 44 rear axle is not very common, and certainly commands a higher resale value. All Rubicon Dana 44s had 4.10 gears, while non-Rubicon model Dana 44 rear axles had 3.55 (97 only) and 3.73 gears.
