So some things come up and it looks like i won't be wheeling a jeep til next spring...good news is depending what I can sell the yellow car for, I can possible budget $7k for a jeep, maybe up to $9k. Today, I got a chance to drive my wife grandparents' brand new wrangler sport. I LOVE IT!
I know I want a 5 speed, 4wd, Dana 44's, 4L straight six...in a TJ. So what years are best between $7k-$9k price range? I also noted that wranglers had several differentials, which is best?
D44s front and rear from the factory are Rubicons. Those are still a little more than 9k.
Look at the axles and transfer case. Dana 44's front and rear w/4.10 gear ratio and selectable lockers (switches on the dash) + NVG241OR transfer case and no slip yoke on the back of the t-case, slip yoke is in the driveshaft where God intended + steel rocker protection = Rubicon.
Some others could be ordered with a Dana 44 rear but had a low-pinion Dana 30 front and came with 3.73 gears.
About a month ago I saw a TJ with Rubicon stickers for sale. D35 and D30, no sliders, wrong T-case. I was gone a few days later. Some poor schmuck probably got taken.
How much to perform a front and rear Dana 44 swap including beefy drive shafts? Is it cheaper to find a sport and swap in Dana 44's or to just buy a rubie?
Depends....
New D44 axles can be found for anywhere from $1500 to $2500 each. If you do the labor yourself...
Then there are junkyard swaps were you can pull a D44 out from under something and slide it under yours jeep fairly affordably. Drive shafts depend on what you want to mount under the jeep as far as pricing goes.
We have not talked yokes or lockers either...
so if I pull two d44 axles(front and rear) from a junkyard, would I be able to rebuild them and install lockers myself? how much to go that route?
and by yokes, you mean driveshafts? how much for that?
When I get back to a computer I'll be able to give you a better idea on options and prices....
If you make a Jeep more rugged, that just means you'll break it on a tougher obstacle.
Just get a TJ and wheel within your wallet.