21' JLU Willys Wheeler vs JLU Rubicon axle width question

[L06An_5]

Hoping someone can help me with this.

I am looking into replacing the stock Dana 30 front axle with a Dana 44. I know that the Willys Wheeler comes with the Dana 44 LSD rear. The question is, is the axle width the same as the Rubicon, which I believe is 67.9" or does the Willys have a 66.4" (Sport, Sahara) axle width even though it comes with the Heavy Duty Dana 44? I am assuming the width matters and I need a front axle with the same width, & gearing, as the rear.

Any help is appreciated.



My Build sheet only says:
- Dana M186 Front Axle
- 3.45 Overall Top Gear Ratio
- Dana M220 Rear Axle
- Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
- Conventional Differential Frt Axle

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[The Last Cowboy]

Willys has the narrower axle. Your Jeep won’t care if you put the wider axle in. You could also get a D44 front axle from a diesel model. It won’t have the locker though and will have 3.73s.

The best deal is to get both axles. Everything is there and then you will have 4.10s front and rear. By the time you regear the existing rear axle the cost won’t be much different.

 

[L06An_5]

Thanks for the quick reply..

 

[JINO]

Sorry for resurrection.
Is the 2024 willys front axle the same as the 392?
My buddy says the 4x4 shop told him this information.
Also, how does the diesel (rubicon) axle differ? Or is the same as gas rubicon?

 

[Zeddy]

I’m in the same position. I have a 18 JLUS, It has the 30/35 conventional 3:45 ratio. I’m currently on Rubicon take offs and a 2” lift. I would like to run 37’s. I was looking at a set of Dana 44 off a JTRD. From what I undertstand the mounts are different and I’d have to run 4xe control arms or something like that? Can anyone confirm.

 

[GATORB8]

I’m in the same position. I have a 18 JLUS, It has the 30/35 conventional 3:45 ratio. I’m currently on Rubicon take offs and a 2” lift. I would like to run 37’s. I was looking at a set of Dana 44 off a JTRD. From what I undertstand the mounts are different and I’d have to run 4xe control arms or something like that? Can anyone confirm.

Front should be the same. Rear will be the issue, to my knowledge the rear JT suspension is significantly different than the JL.

 

[Zeddy]

Front should be the same. Rear will be the issue, to my knowledge the rear JT suspension is significantly different than the JL.

YES Sorry only the rear will be an issue. I heard they use the same mounting as the 4xe so you could use the suspension links from one of those but I wanted to confirm as it will make it messy while trying to buy a new lift kit? I guess I’d busy one for an 4xe and swap the axles in at the same time.

I’m just trying to find some cheap Dana 44 take offs but with all the options ands widths I’m trying to ensure I have the same width from front to rear.

 

[GATORB8]

YES Sorry only the rear will be an issue. I heard they use the same mounting as the 4xe so you could use the suspension links from one of those but I wanted to confirm as it will make it messy while trying to buy a new lift kit? I guess I’d busy one for an 4xe and swap the axles in at the same time.

I’m just trying to find some cheap Dana 44 take offs but with all the options ands widths I’m trying to ensure I have the same width from front to rear.

Negative. The axle/housing tubes of the 4xe utilized the JT setup, but the 4xe has the JL suspension setup, not the JT setup.

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