is the current JL rear a three-quarter floating or semi-floating axle?

[STW]

So is there any downsides to full floating axles?

only downsides I can think of are extra cost and extra weight

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[digimark]

Swapping axles on a pre-2024 Wrangler wouldn't buy you the enhanced tow weight rating either, legally, since it wouldn't get re-rated to match. If its something you need, buying a 2024 Rubicon would be the move.

 

[OSCAR II]

only downsides I can think of are extra cost and extra weight

I don't think the weight would be much but yeah cost.

You'd have to swap the whole rear but unless they changed the mounts should be a very easy swap that anyone could do.

In all my years and even schooling I've never heard of a 3/4 floating. Thats an oddball.
Just about every vehicle on the road under 3/4 ton has semi floating axles, 3/4 ton and up have full floating.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Peace of mind - less stress on the axles when carrying weight at or above the GVWR.
But you're correct that it's probably not worth doing if it's a really expensive and/or difficult process. I would only consider it if it could be done for, say, less than $2k and a weekend and a 12 pack of beer. If it's any harder than that then it would be easier just to trade in my 23 for a 24, or just live with my axles the way they are (which hasn't been a problem so far, and may never be one)

A rear axle swap can be done in a couple hours with jack stands, the $2k…um no. For the price Mopar will likely want for minimal gain, I‘d upgrade to a fusion semi float Dana 60 rear axle if I was worried about the rear 44. Of course you’re looking at $7k for that upgrade.

 

[STW]

...In all my years and even schooling I've never heard of a 3/4 floating...

I had not heard of 3/4 floating axles either.

I wonder if 3/4 was an evolutionary development on the way to full floating, so some old trucks had it but you'd never run into it unless working on that era vehicle?

Mine is a 2door Rubicon on 35s that doesn't tow anything, and doesn't get overloaded so the D44 semi-floating is probably all it needs. Still, that full-floater announcement is the first "upgrade" in spec from my 22MY I've heard about I would have wanted. So I'm just doing regret-management like others, haha.

 

[OSCAR II]

Obviously I haven't seen it yet but most FFers have the large hub for the bearings with the axle bolts showing. Might take a different wheel.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

So is there any downsides to full floating axles?

Most people wont need them. It's a nice thing to have if your tires are larger than 35s, or if you're one of those people who build over accessorized overland rigs. The other good thing about a full float is if you break an axle shaft in the middle of nowhere, you can still drive it out.

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