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Axle Info: NEW Front and Rear Axles for 2018 JL Wrangler Sport, Sahara & Rubicon

JAY

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We've just verified the new front/rear axles for the 2018 JL/JLU!

There will be a total of five new standard axles (3 front, 2 rear) and an optional packaged rear axle for the Sahara. Here's how it breaks down by trim:

JL Sport (standard)
M186 Front Axle / M200 Rear Axle

JL Sahara (standard)
M186 Front Axle / M200 Rear Axle

JL Rubicon (standard)
Dana M210 Wide Front Axle / Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle

JL Sahara (optional package)
M186 Front Axle / Dana Wide M220 Rear Axle

Also previous info from our Info Compilation thread.
  • CV joints on front axle of Selec-Trac (AWD) models
  • U-joints on front axle of Rubicon
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Ian cj10

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hi is anything known about the strengths of these new axles or is it going to be wait and see
 

The Great Grape Ape

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Would be nice to know what axle,ratios they are going to go with.

Range Rover had 3.31, 3.55 and later 3.73 axle ratios on their M220 rear.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see similar 3.55 / 3.73 for the Sahara / Rubicon and 3.07/3.08 for the Sport thanks to the higher ratio/spread of the ZF 8-speed.

Though it would be a nice PR move to keep the 4.10:1 to give the Rubi-Auto an 82:1 crawl ratio, but the auto with a 3.73 axle would still have a higher crawl ratio than the current NSG 6spd with 4.10s, and all across the range the 3.08 / 3.55 / 3.73 would best the 3.21 / 3.73 / 4.10 with the auto, and versus the old 5spd Auto even more so where the ZF8 with a 3.08 axle would have a higher crawl ratio than the NAG1 with a 3.73 axle.

The only question mark remains the new manual transmission whose 1st gear and spread are likely less than the NSG370, so those axle ratios might be most noticeable on the 6spd vs 8spd, and where a 4.10 isn't only desirable, but needed to overcome the taller first gear and shorter spread.
 

The Great Grape Ape

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hi is anything known about the strengths of these new axles or is it going to be wait and see
Input/output torque ratings for each varaint is listed in Dana's AdvanTek literature assuming no 'HD/Ultimate version';

http://www.dana.com/~/media/danacom...les-featuring-advantek-gearing-spec-sheet.pdf

For comparison, IIRC the regular Dana 44 is ~3,500lbft ( 4,750NM ) 44HD is ~4,000lb-ft ( 5,500NM ) Ulimate44 is more than 4,000+ and Dana 60 is ~5,000lb-ft ( 6800NM).

So putting the 220mm at about 450lb-ft stronger torque rating than the typical D60, however that isn't all that matters, as there are other aspects for payload like the axle tube diameter and wall thickness, and I suspect those will be below the D60 specs, and closer to the U44 specs. For that we'll likely have to wait and see the real thing up close & personal with a micrometer/calliper.
 

WXman

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Confusing. Why would you order the "wide" rear axle on Sahara if you're getting the standard front axle to go with it?

Also, I guess this means that JL will have to get all new ring and pinion sets from the aftermarket, and that JK stuff will not work.
 

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chuck h

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So for us non-tekkie people, what can we take out of this? What does this tell us about their intentions for tire sizes, for ride comfort, etc. Does it give us any peek under the hood at all about what they are trying to do?
 

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Confusing. Why would you order the "wide" rear axle on Sahara if you're getting the standard front axle to go with it?

Also, I guess this means that JL will have to get all new ring and pinion sets from the aftermarket, and that JK stuff will not work.
Assuming it's not a typo or omission, it looks like there are two variants of the new M220 rear axle - a 'wide' version for the Rubicon and a 'standard' version used in the Sahara. The JL Sahara option package says "Dana M220 Rear Axle", vs the JL Rubicon which says "Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle".
 
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JAY

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Assuming it's not a typo or omission, it looks like there are two variants of the new M220 rear axle - a 'wide' version for the Rubicon and a 'standard' version used in the Sahara. The JL Sahara option package says "Dana M220 Rear Axle", vs the JL Rubicon which says "Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle".
Correct.
 

Jeepsterfreak

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I'm most likely a Base customer.

How does the M186 compare to the current Dana 30? Is it an upgrade? The rear stays the same?

Regarding the Rubi, it now has a wider track than all other JL models?

What does that do for wheel/tire compatibility between JK base/rubi and JL base/rubi models? Does the JL rubi simply have wider fenders or is there now wheel offset differences? I'm assuming body panels are the same.

Will the aftermarket have to supply different wheels for base models vs rubi? I suppose suspension parts will also be different between base/rubi.

I guess we still don't know if Jeep is keeping the same bolt pattern.

Jeep just added another reason to shell out more money for Rubicon upgrade!
 
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JaybearWL

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I'm most likely a Base customer.

How does the M186 compare to the current Dana 30? Is it an upgrade like the rear?

Regarding the Rubi, it now has a wider track than all other JL models?

What does that do for wheel/tire compatibility between JK and JL base models? Does the JL rubi simply have wider fenders or is there now wheel offset differences?

Will the aftermarket have to supply different wheels for base modes vs rubi? I suppose suspension parts will also be different.
The aftermarket supplies everything that our goofy little hearts can imagine, and if it doesn't then it will once you enter the aftermarket as a supplier to solve your own problem!
 

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Job listing from 2016.....

Employer Name:
Dana Limited
Job Title: Aftermarket Product / Applications Engineer - 431

Job Description:

Desired Skills/Duties:
Aftermarket Product / Applications Engineer - 431 Position: Aftermarket Product / Applications Engineer Department: Aftermarket Engineering Supervisor: Senior Manager - Aftermarket Engineering The main responsibilities of this position include design, analysis, and product validation of light vehicle (through class 6) axle and driveshaft components, sub-assemblies, and top level assemblies. These products are part of a ¿first to market¿ initiative in support of a high volume OE 4X4 sport utility vehicle launch in 2017. Targeted end users are off-road 4X4 enthusiasts. Primary Duties: * Primary work location is Maumee, OH at the Dana World Headquarters & Maumee Technical Center (¿WHMTC¿) building * Position requires some travel to customers, suppliers, trade shows, and Dana manufacturing sites * Work directly with Dana engineering in U.S. and India to develop light axle M186, M200, M210, and M220 aftermarket products and assemblies...
 

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There is some good info on the differentials here:

http://media.spicerparts.com/cfs/files/media/ZRLmmABCZxsjboevx/axsm-8810.pdf?store=original

Interesting the model number indicates max towing capacity..

Im not sure if the low/high range differential selection will be carried over into the JL. But it would be nice to see the mentioned "Full float" option discussed in the PDF.

Four different axle options seems to be a bit overkill. In a perfect world I would standardize on a either 2 axle options, or standardize the entire fleet on the heavy duty axles. Interesting that they selected the same axles as the colorado/canyon...
 

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We've just verified the new front/rear axles for the 2018 JL/JLU!

There will be a total of five new standard axles (3 front, 2 rear) and an optional packaged rear axle for the Sahara. Here's how it breaks down by trim:

JL Sport (standard)
M186 Front Axle / Next Generation Dana 44 HD Rear Axle

JL Sahara (standard)
205MM Front Axle / Next Generation Dana 44 HD Rear Axle

JL Rubicon (standard)
Dana M210 Wide Front Axle / Dana M220 Wide Rear Axle

JL Sahara (optional package)
205MM Front Axle / Dana M220 Rear Axle

These dimensions are referring to the ring gear diameter, correct?
 

The Great Grape Ape

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There is some good info on the differentials here:
No, that's the old heavy commercial truck axles, not the newer Advantek commuter vehicle axles.
The Rubicon axle is not going to have a 22,000lb payload capacity.
 

The Great Grape Ape

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These dimensions are referring to the ring gear diameter, correct?
Yes, look at my link above and it show the ring gear size vs specs.
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