Axle Swap Questions

Qsplash

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Mesa, AZ
I have a 99 TJ with Dana 30 and 35 3.73 gears. I came across some used Rubicon axles from a 2005 for a great price, they have 4.10 gears. and all the wires and a compressor. Can i get them installed and have everything work or should I not waste my time and go with after market lockers ? Also are 4.10 gears fine or do i need to re-gear i have 285/70/17 tires atm but will prob go up to 35s next tire purchase. The jeep came with a 3 or 4 inch lift . the previous owner couldn't remember what he had installed the 285s fit fine but i may have to do a body lift to fit the 35s.
 
I have a 99 TJ with Dana 30 and 35 3.73 gears. I came across some used Rubicon axles from a 2005 for a great price, they have 4.10 gears. and all the wires and a compressor. Can i get them installed and have everything work or should I not waste my time and go with after market lockers ? Also are 4.10 gears fine or do i need to re-gear i have 285/70/17 tires atm but will prob go up to 35s next tire purchase. The jeep came with a 3 or 4 inch lift . the previous owner couldn't remember what he had installed the 285s fit fine but i may have to do a body lift to fit the 35s.

What transmission do you have? 4.10 gears won't be ideal for 35s, but you'll be better off with them if you have the auto than you would with the 5 speed.
 
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I have 35s with the 32rh and 4.10s. It is okay, but definitely under geared. I will be regearing soon.

The worst is pulling grades with how it is now.

Depending on the price and if the locker pumps etc are functional. You probably have a good deal.
 
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I have a 99 TJ with Dana 30 and 35 3.73 gears. I came across some used Rubicon axles from a 2005 for a great price, they have 4.10 gears. and all the wires and a compressor. Can i get them installed and have everything work or should I not waste my time and go with after market lockers ? Also are 4.10 gears fine or do i need to re-gear i have 285/70/17 tires atm but will prob go up to 35s next tire purchase. The jeep came with a 3 or 4 inch lift . the previous owner couldn't remember what he had installed the 285s fit fine but i may have to do a body lift to fit the 35s.

It depends on how much the Rubicon Dana 44 axles cost. As a straight swap and run the 4.10 gears with 33’s and the 32rh you’d have a really nice setup.

If you’re going to run 35’s you’ll eventually need to regear to 4.56. At that point I think you would be better off building the Dana 30 and an S35.
 
It depends on how much the Rubicon Dana 44 axles cost. As a straight swap and run the 4.10 gears with 33’s and the 32rh you’d have a really nice setup.

If you’re going to run 35’s you’ll eventually need to regear to 4.56. At that point I think you would be better off building the Dana 30 and an S35.

axles were a steal got front and rear axle with disc breaks and calipers wiring and compressor for 2100.
 
looked over the axles a little better how screwed am I with this hole ? Seems the PO cut off some brackets and burned a hole through the housing. Is this patch-able or will I need a new tube ?

jeep rear axle1.webp


jeep rear axle2.webp


jeep rear axle3.webp
 
Ouch.. No wonder you got it for a steal... I wouldn't run it if it was patched, but that's just me. You will probably need to have it re tubed, or maybe get an aftermarket housing.
 
any idea how much a re tube is or a aftermarket housing? I knew I would have to put some $ into the rear because he cut off some brackets but didn't see the hole.
 
I would strip down the axles and see what else is wrong with it. That hole and associated shit welds around it are concerning. Getting a new tube put it can be done a couple different ways, but will likely be expensive since it needs to be perfectly straight.

If it were me, I would clean all that shit up, fill that hole with weld, clean that up and then find a bigger piece of pipe. Cut that pipe up to about 4"-6" and weld that piece on top of the hole. You would need to fab the CA mount you plan to mount on there to fit over the patch.

All of that would maybe work. Based on the rust I see in the pictures, there maybe other issues elsewhere that would make all that work worthless. Take the brakes, backing plates, axle shafts and carrier all out and really inspect everything before doing anything else. That's my $0.02