Re Gear vs Axle Swap

[Beach Nut]

I have a 2020 Sahara 3.6 Automatic and it has open differentials Dana 30 and 35…I’m running 35s and my gear ratio is 3.45. I want e lockers front and rear and either a 4.56 or 4.88 ratio. Looking at the Dana Spicer 44/60 crate package vs regearing and adding e lockers. This is a daily driver that gets some decent trail use. Input?

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[Blues Fan 30]

Imo just axle swap it. I dont think it's worth sinking a bunch of money into a subpar axle compared to rubi axles. You'll also get wider axles that way which you cant do with the Sahara axles.

 

[c20040215]

I dont know the price between the two options. I would assume adding lockers and gear job would run you $3-4K nowadays? How much is 44/60 combo? I am guessing $10K to $12K?

A third option is Rubicon takeoffs. You might be able to get 4.56 gear ratio. They are about $5K street price.

 

[grimmjeeper]

I dont know the price between the two options. I would assume adding lockers and gear job would run you $3-4K nowadays? How much is 44/60 combo? I am guessing $10K to $12K?

A third option is Rubicon takeoffs. You might be able to get 4.56 gear ratio. They are about $5K street price.

I'd bet the aftermarket 44/60 is way more than $12K.

Finding a set of used Rubicon axles would be a budget friendly way to get some upgraded strength, lockers, and a gear ratio change.

4.10 would fall under "adequate" for 35" tires.

 

[c20040215]

I'd bet the aftermarket 44/60 is way more than $12K.

Finding a set of used Rubicon axles would be a budget friendly way to get some upgraded strength, lockers, and a gear ratio change.

4.10 would fall under "adequate" for 35" tires.

It got me curious so looked, axles themselves are around $12K to 15K depends on the brand. And Rear drive shaft is another $1K.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

IMO it's better to upgrade axles than to put lipstick on the pig.

 

[Gregj]

IMO look for a set of Rubicon axles, if you find 4.56’s even better. I looked for a while and found a set with 4.10’s for a good price and then had the gears swapped to 5.13’s.
Gregj

 

[stretch-bsn]

I was in the same boat…30 front 35 rear…with regear and lockers + labor you are looking at basic the same price for a swap with a weaker platform.

You can find a decent pair of barely used rubicon xR axles with 4.56 gears for under 6k. That’s a bolt on job. Only thing is they would both be Dana 44 instead of the 60. But they would come with lockers and all.

Just remember steering components and all. I didn’t factor that into price and it surprised me.

 

[Cips]

I recently got a quote to axle swap and wire up the lockers. The axle swap was quoted at $1,500 and the wiring up the lockers with some kind of fancy switch panel was almost the same - between $1K and $1,500.

If your engine, trans, and tire size would be okay with 4.56 gearing I'd wait for a used set off a Rubicon/392.

 

[Deen]

I have a '21 JLURD and did the axle swap to the Dana 44/60 package. I had the 3.73 gearing but changed to 4.88's, which to me was too low for the diesel so when the Dana sale was going on I ordered the new axles with 4.10's..
Did the swap in my driveway with just a few minutes of help from a neighbor. The swap was not easy for a 78 yr old but I did get it done. Took me 12 days because I had to stop and rest.
Yes, my old axles with 4.88's are for sale and much cheaper than the Dana 44/60 package.

 

[Beach Nut]

It got me curious so looked, axles themselves are around $12K to 15K depends on the brand. And Rear drive shaft is another $1K.

That’s about right, around 13k for axles, another $1600 for driveshafts…but it’s brand new upgrade from Dana Spicer…with the 4.56/4.88 gears and lockers. It’s a considerable price point, but will likely outlast the 3.6, and would be able to handle a 5.7 Hemi swap in the future. Darn near bulletproof! The Rubicon axles are a good idea also…if I can find them!

 

[Cips]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1676652526...VwonvSxsNna2/+2USyPFs7yNM=|tkp:Bk9SR-S8mrONZg

 

[Blues Fan 30]

I recently got a quote to axle swap and wire up the lockers. The axle swap was quoted at $1,500 and the wiring up the lockers with some kind of fancy switch panel was almost the same - between $1K and $1,500.

If your engine, trans, and tire size would be okay with 4.56 gearing I'd wait for a used set off a Rubicon/392.

That quote for wiring lockers is wild. I bought some amazon wiring for my lockers for like $30, then the voswitch was just over $200. The install of the box and the locker wiring should be no more than a 3 hour job for even someone completely inexperienced. Even if you paid $200 for the mopar branded 2 wire setup for the lockers youre still only in it for just over $400 and then a shop shouldn't be charging but 2 hours labor imo. Silly that theyre quoting you the same as swapping entire axles for such an easy job.

 

[Cips]

That quote for wiring lockers is wild. I bought some amazon wiring for my lockers for like $30, then the voswitch was just over $200. The install of the box and the locker wiring should be no more than a 3 hour job for even someone completely inexperienced. Even if you paid $200 for the mopar branded 2 wire setup for the lockers youre still only in it for just over $400 and then a shop shouldn't be charging but 2 hours labor imo. Silly that theyre quoting you the same as swapping entire axles for such an easy job.

A lot of that was parts. I don't remember the brand, but the switch panel alone was like $600-$700.

 

[grimmjeeper]

A lot of that was parts. I don't remember the brand, but the switch panel alone was like $600-$700.

Way overkill

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