Rubicon Trail Trip Spare Axles?

[Stinkbug]

Edit: I ran the Rubicon Trail several years ago in the Jeep described below with Jeep Jamboree and didn’t recall finding it as difficult as I thought it would be but my memory may not be the best and everything seems easier when enough time has passed. Likely that was due to some great spotting by locals. I am getting ready to run it again with a new club I joined and don’t want to be “that guy” so…

I am getting my stuff together for a trip down the Rubicon Trail. Since a mechanical issue that would require parts is not just a quick run down the road to a local auto parts store or back to a tow rig at a base camp, I am considering what trail spare parts to bring and still leave room for me, my copilot and necessary camping gear. I would appreciate the input from other that have run this trail or ones like it where parts are not easily accessible.

1. I am running 35” tires with lockers at each axle.
2. The front axles are 30 spline chromoly with 27 spline outers.
3. The rear is a G2 aftermarket Dana 44 with 30 spline axles and disc brakes. I am unsure if the Dana 44 has chromoly axles or not. It is still on the shafts that came with it.
4. I have Curry currectlync steering
5. I am geared at 4.56 with the 32Rh transmission.

Here are a few questions to get the conversation started….

1) It seems likely that if a front shaft breaks, it will likely be the ears of the stub shaft. If that is the case does it make sense that I only need to carry a fresh stub shaft? Worst case if the main shaft the breaks or it’s ears are damaged, I can pull it leaving the stub to hold the unit bearing together and 3 wheel it out?

2) I think I have read that one of the Dana 44 shafts is slightly shorter than the other. If I just carry the shorter, is it long enough to work on the longer side in a pinch?

3) Any options for 3 wheeling it out with a Dana 44 if a shaft breaks and I pull the broken portion or dies the bearing rely on the other end of the shaft for support?

Thoughts?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I don't consider the Rubicon Trail tough enough to need spare axle shafts for your setup.

 

[Duck Doctor]

If you have room for extra gear then bring the axle shafts. I am participating in the Jeepers Jamboree later this month and carry a trunk with all the spare steering/axle parts I removed when upgrading. Definitely overkill but I have an LJ so there’s plenty of extra space.

 

[Rubeyu]

How do you plan on running the trail? You gonna run the obstacles or take the bypasses.
How loaded down will you be? How much experience do you have?
If you’re a smart experienced wheeler and know your vehicle limits just carry the bare minimum. If your the type who wants to run all hard lines be prepared. I’ve ran the trail three times seen people with carnage 1 mile in
broken axles, broken bolts on the steering box even saw a Toyota that rolled off Cadlilac Hill.

 

[JMT]

Edit: I ran the Rubicon Trail several years ago in the Jeep described below with Jeep Jamboree and didn’t recall finding it as difficult as I thought it would be but my memory may not be the best. Likely that was due to some great spotting by locals. I am getting ready to run it again with a new club I joined and don’t want to be “that guy” so…

I am getting my stuff together for a trip down the Rubicon Trail. Since a mechanical issue that would require parts is not just a quick run down the road to a local auto parts store or back to a tow rig at a base camp, I am considering what trail spare parts to bring and still leave room for me, my copilot and necessary camping gear. I would appreciate the input from other that have run this trail or ones like it where parts are not easily accessible.

1. I am running 35” tires with lockers at each axle.
2. The front axles are 30 spline chromoly with 27 spline outers.
3. The rear is a G2 aftermarket Dana 44 with 30 spline axles and disc brakes. I am unsure if the Dana 44 has chromoly axles or not. It is still on the shafts that came with it.
4. I am geared at 4.56 with the 32Rh transmission.

Here are a few questions to get the conversation started….

1) It seems likely that if a front shaft breaks, it will likely be the ears of the stub shaft. If that is the case does it make sense that I only need to carry a fresh stub shaft? Worst case if the main shaft the breaks or it’s ears are damaged, I can pull it leaving the stub to hold the unit bearing together and 3 wheel it out?

2) I think I have read that one of the Dana 44 shafts is slightly shorter than the other. If I just carry the shorter, is it long enough to work on the longer side in a pinch?

3) Any options for 3 wheeling it out with a Dana 44 if a shaft breaks and I pull the broken portion or dies the bearing rely on the other end of the shaft for support?

Thoughts?

1) I wouldn’t worry about the front axle shafts

2) yes, the shorter will partially engage the splines on the longer side, so it will work for either side in a pinch.

3) see #1. But yes, you can 3 wheel out.

 

[Ken Perkins]

tie rod and ends are probably the most damaged parts...I'll be on the jamboree also..

 

[Stinkbug]

tie rod and ends are probably the most damaged parts...I'll be on the jamboree also..

I have Curry currectlync steering with pretty beefy TREs. I haven’t seen one fail but I am sure they do in some circumstances. At $100 per, they get expensive to have as spares but maybe at some point (now might be the time) adding a set as spares might make sense.

 

[02GreenTJ]

I don’t want want to jinx myself but I’ve run the rubicon five times as well as many jv trips on stock shafts with 760x u joints front locked on 35s never had an issue. That being said I always carry a full set of spares for both sides with unit bearings so a change would be quick and easy to not hold up the group. I also bring spare upper ball joints in case the ear takes out the ball joint which I’ve seen happen in jv. The added weight sucks but better than 3 wheel drive if you have a long trek out. I would think you’d be fine with the chromolys though. I didn’t do 30 spline inners for the sole reason I have so many stock 27 spline shafts.

 

[mrblaine]

I don't consider the Rubicon Trail tough enough to need spare axle shafts for your setup.

A couple of buddies ran it 2 years ago. One was a very nicely built TJ Unlimited.


The other was a 2 dr JL on 37's. That guy got in a little bind, broke a front shaft. It wasn't in a good spot and was blocking the trail without a bypass, so they tried to get off the trail and unstuck, broke the other side in the front. While continuing with a winch to get out of the way, they broke a rear axle. No one had spares. The guy with the TJ, left them to watch the rig, drove into the springs, out Cadillac, over to Tahoe, and then finally to Truckee before he rounded up enough parts to get the rig put back together. About 200 miles on the highway and then back from the beginning of the trail to come up behind his friend and get him all fixed up. And that's why you build street friendly rigs on 40's.

 

[Danarch]

While it’s been a long time I ran it three times with a club and no one broke an axle. Not saying it can’t happen, but I think a big part of it is dependent on how one drives their Jeep. We did have a few damage tie rods, a drive shaft , and u joints. I always carried spare u-joints with me (and mics other parts). I know some people we went with would brag about how strong of u joints they had. My dad looked at me and said “Remember this, better to break a u-joint then something else. Easy to bring along and easy to repair”. I’ve always kept that in mind.

 

[Lou]

While it’s been a long time I ran it three times with a club and no one broke an axle. Not saying it can’t happen, but I think a big part of it is dependent on how one drives their Jeep. We did have a few damage tie rods, a drive shaft , and u joints. I always carried spare u-joints with me (and mics other parts). I know some people we went with would brag about how strong of u joints they had. My dad looked at me and said “Remember this, better to break a u-joint then something else. Easy to bring along and easy to repair”. I’ve always kept that in mind.

Personally, I have never seen an axle u joint break where all you needed to do is replace the u joint to keep going. There has always been damage to the ears. (My experience).

 

[mrblaine]

Personally, I have never seen an axle u joint break where all you needed to do is replace the u joint to keep going. There has always been damage to the ears. (My experience).

You just aren't used to the weakest joints possible.

 

[Danarch]

Personally, I have never seen an axle u joint break where all you needed to do is replace the u joint to keep going. There has always been damage to the ears. (My experience).

We had that happen down at Pismo Beach (long story). The next thing you know my dad disappeared. He found a welding shop, they welded on a tab to the yoke. I drove around a while that way, then kept it as spare in the parts box for years.

If the ears did break one just needs to get creative. Just easier then replacing something else.

 

[Lou]

You just aren't used to the weakest joints possible.

That’s a good point I hadn’t considered.

We had that happen down at Pismo Beach (long story). The next thing you know my dad disappeared. He found a welding shop, they welded on a tab to the yoke. I drove around a while that way, then kept it as spare in the parts box for years.

If the ears did break one just needs to get creative. Just easier then replacing something else.

I can install a spare axle shaft much much faster than trying to change a u joint on a trail.

 

[mrblaine]

I can install a spare axle shaft much much faster than trying to change a u joint on a trail.

But can you change one faster than hunting down a welding shop and getting them to fabricate a new yoke side? I'm gonna go with YES, yes you can.

 

[LONGJP2]

I am participating in the Jeepers Jamboree later this month

I'll be on the jamboree also..

I'll be there too.
Assuming my jeep survives the 2500 mile trek there.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Your front 4340 Chromoly 30 spline shafts with 35's will have no problem on the Rubicon. I doubt your rear G2 Dana 44 will have any problems either.

 

[mrblaine]

Your front 4340 Chromoly 30 spline shafts with 35's will have no problem on the Rubicon. I doubt your rear G2 Dana 44 will have any problems either.

And I would have said the same about anyone's steering gear on Sledge. Good damn thing there was a spare to be had.

 

[Lonewolf]

I ran it last weekend with @Alex01 , we didn't do any of the bypasses and we had no problem. But stuff can happen. The only spares I carried was a rear driveshaft , fluids , and ignition parts. I usually don’t use much skinny pedal and try my best to crawl everything but I have seen a TJ on 35s blow a rear ring and pinion and a front axle shaft on a 2 foot ledge so I think it will come down to your driving style.

 

[Rubeyu]

The Sluices are all part of the Trail.
My opinion if you didn't run them you did a By Pass.

Old Sluice looks kinda difficult to me but I'm just a web wheeler.