Axle assembly options

[ChadH]

So after receiving a quote for my OEM Dana 30 and Dana 44 axles for a re-gear to 4.88 and install of Eaton E-lockers came back at just under $9,500, I'm exploring a simple bolt on axle assembly application.

Currie has some options as well as Fusion. A similar setup between the two options is within $500. I am sure Currie makes a good axle, I am unfamiliar with Fusion.

Are there other companies to consider? Rebuilding my existing axles would make future replacement parts potentially easier if the aftermarket axle assembly option uses specific in house component which may be less available in rural areas. However, aftermarket axle assemblies I'm sure are significantly stronger - it is worth noting I do NOT do hard core off road trails.

An axle assembly would have a higher total cost with shipping and install, but labor would obviously be less than a rebuild, and one would think a shop assembled assembly would be less likely to have issues than a rebuilt OEM axle. It would also reduce down time in the shop from maybe a week to just a couple days, in theory

 

[Lou]

You need to find a more reasonable shop. 9500 is absurd. How much of that is labor?

 

[ChadH]

You need to find a more reasonable shop. 9500 is absurd. How much of that is labor?

It is my only shop option unless I want to drive 4 hours..... The labor rate for both axles is $3,500. Prices in my area are absolutely outrageous. So much so I just got quoted $200K for a 20x32 shop with second floor apartment - from the only builder that will come to my little town.

 

[voodooridr]

If you're going complete there's East Coast Gear supply

 

[ChadH]

If you're going complete there's East Coast Gear supply

I'm undecided... Just looking at options. I didnt expect a 10K price tag so it's gonna be probably a year till that happens. I looked at ECGS earlier but I only saw a Dana 30 and 489 option for the front. I didnt see a Dana 44 front option. Not sure what a 489 is to be honest - time to google.

 

[Apparition]

How about do it yourself?

 

[ChadH]

How about do it yourself?

My body hates me, and I dont have a solid surface to work on. Just grass and dirt, which right now is mud and puddles and snow, and I dont have access to a press for bearings, or a compressor for my air tools, etc... If I had a shop I would be more likely to do just that - hence the reason I got a quote to build one. Anything that requires I be on the ground is difficult at best though. And I dont want to have a vehicle down for a month to get it done either.

 

[Apparition]

My body hates me, and I dont have a solid surface to work on. Just grass and dirt, which right now is mud and puddles and snow, and I dont have access to a press for bearings, or a compressor for my air tools, etc... If I had a shop I would be more likely to do just that - hence the reason I got a quote to build one. Anything that requires I be on the ground is difficult at best though. And I dont want to have a vehicle down for a month to get it done either.

Do you have a garage?

If you are willing to axle swap then you are able to pull an axle.

Pull one at a time, move it inside and do it. You can buy everything you need to do it for a fraction of that quote.

Plus there are members here willing to help.

 

[NskLJ]

I'm undecided... Just looking at options. I didnt expect a 10K price tag so it's gonna be probably a year till that happens. I looked at ECGS earlier but I only saw a Dana 30 and 489 option for the front. I didnt see a Dana 44 front option. Not sure what a 489 is to be honest - time to google.

Typo of 4:88 ratio

 

[Lou]

It is my only shop option unless I want to drive 4 hours..... The labor rate for both axles is $3,500. Prices in my area are absolutely outrageous. So much so I just got quoted $200K for a 20x32 shop with second floor apartment - from the only builder that will come to my little town.

that is just insane. When I worked at the dealer book time for a regear was 6 hours an axle. That’s generous. Adding lockers is not much extra work running the wiring and switch.

It is very realistic for 2 competent dudes to properly set up a pair of axles within a day. The sad part is that $3500 labor charge likely would yield you with improperly set up gears.

 

[ChadH]

Do you have a garage?

If you are willing to axle swap then you are able to pull an axle.

Pull one at a time, move it inside and do it. You can buy everything you need to do it for a fraction of that quote.

Plus there are members here willing to help.

No no garage. No covered space, my tools are in the basement but thats not a place I can reasonably bring the axle into without a couple strong bodies to hand carry it. Everything is totally out in the open with whatever weather that day happens to bring. I'm also a 3 hour round trip drive to town - so if I need a part or something, it's an all day event.... No such thing as running down the road 10 minutes to the local hardware store here. That doesnt exist for me unfortunately.

If I did an axle swap, I would also have the shop probably do that. They have lifts, tools, materials, access to parts, all kinds of things I just dont have access to. not that I'm unable to do it. But I dont want it to take forever, would rather be out enjoying it than wrenching. There are a couple members here that are a 3 hour drive from me. But I kinda wanted to explore options before asking for assistance like that since it would occupy somebodies weekend or two.

Typo of 4:88 ratio

What's the Typo?? ECGS advertises the axle as "Dana 489NR high pinion...." They dont list a Dana 44 option for the front, only the Dana 30 or the 489. https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-2...ion-tj-xj-zj-front-bolt-in-axle-assembly.html

 

[Noslo65]

Holy shit that’s expensive. My dumb ass was able to re-gear my Dana35/30 myself. It just takes some research and a few extra tools.

 

[Lou]

No no garage. No covered space, my tools are in the basement but thats not a place I can reasonably bring the axle into without a couple strong bodies to hand carry it. Everything is totally out in the open with whatever weather that day happens to bring. I'm also a 3 hour round trip drive to town - so if I need a part or something, it's an all day event.... No such thing as running down the road 10 minutes to the local hardware store here. That doesnt exist for me unfortunately.

If I did an axle swap, I would also have the shop probably do that. They have lifts, tools, materials, access to parts, all kinds of things I just dont have access to. not that I'm unable to do it. But I dont want it to take forever, would rather be out enjoying it than wrenching. There are a couple members here that are a 3 hour drive from me. But I kinda wanted to explore options before asking for assistance like that since it would occupy somebodies weekend or two.




What's the Typo?? ECGS advertises the axle as "Dana 489NR high pinion...." They dont list a Dana 44 option for the front, only the Dana 30 or the 489. https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-2...ion-tj-xj-zj-front-bolt-in-axle-assembly.html

The 489 is a Dana 44 center section from a jk which uses a 8.9” ring gear instead of a 8.5” ring gear from our old school Dana 44.

 

[ChadH]

that is just insane. When I worked at the dealer book time for a regear was 6 hours an axle. That’s generous. Adding lockers is not much extra work running the wiring and switch.

It is very realistic for 2 competent dudes to properly set up a pair of axles within a day. The sad part is that $3500 labor charge likely would yield you with improperly set up gears.

I agree fully. Economics in this state has gone totally wacko. I also agree that the gears might have issues on install. I already experienced that with the TJ and a small local shop in my area 'forgetting' to refill the axle after a simple drain/refill, which resulted in the fiasco on the TJ the last 4 months at the only good shop in town but even they screwed up a couple things before getting it right. it still has a mild vibration too. Hence the reason I am exploring a bolt in option after seeing the price for re-gear and lockers. Not to mention the Dodge dealer screwed up a warranty repair, twice, on my Gladiator before I sold it for fear of incompetence of future warranty related issues.

You dont even want to know what I just saw a 1 bed 1 bath apartment list for, an hour away from a 'major town'. it's laughable.

 

[ChadH]

The 489 is a Dana 44 center section from a jk which uses a 8.9” ring gear instead of a 8.5” ring gear from our old school Dana 44.

Oh gotcha ok, that explains it. Thank you for the info! I was just about to look this up too.

 

[ChadH]

Well it looks like I will just need a axle assembly replacement. The shop just finished another waranty replacement of, this time the pinyon seal, only a week later its leaking yet again. And there is still a deep heavy vibration at 70 and above. This is after the gears and carrier have already been replaced and driveshaft rebuilt balanced and straightened.

I cannot afford the time and inconvenience of continuing to take the TJ to the shop every couple of weeks, this is getting ridiculous.

So my current thought process is take the axles from the LJ and put them in the TJ, then toss in new axles in the LJ which was pretty much my long term plan already. I just didnt want to drop 12 G’s at the moment


So. Any recommendations for axle options? There are a couple companies to choose from, all about the same price. Im just going with a Dana 44 on both ends with eaton e lockers, no need for larger I will only be running 31’s or 32’s on the LJ

What is irritating is this means I just tossed 10k down the drain for rebuilding and regearing the axles on the TJ

 

[inkedrose]

I do NOT do hard core off road trails.

Then why ad lockers? Skipping E-lockers will save $3k off the top. That still is $6500 for gearing which is crazy. Make an appointment 4 hours away, rent a hotel for the day they do it. You'll get a vacation and still save money

 

[ChadH]

Then why ad lockers? Skipping E-lockers will save $3k off the top. That still is $6500 for gearing which is crazy. Make an appointment 4 hours away, rent a hotel for the day they do it. You'll get a vacation and still save money

In the event I wind up in a situation that necessitates them. Be prepared right? Going 4 hours and taking time off of work is not an option at the moment. I'm restricted to the shop an hour from me. But you should read the rest of the thread. I have since had both axles rebuilt, but the rear axle is still giving problems. Thus the contemplation of putting full assemblies under the LJ, and putting the LJ axles under the TJ. Pretty darn irritated about the money lost though thats for darn sure.

 

[LakeBeard]

Thats crazy expensive. I dropped 16k for Currie axles front and rear w/ ARB lockers and a few other add items.

 

[Apparition]

Thats crazy expensive. I dropped 16k for Currie axles front and rear w/ ARB lockers and a few other add items.

View attachment 595909

Why is the front 5.13 and the rear 5.38?