I was wondering how much work would have to be done to put the new Rubicon Dana 44 axles in to a TJ. Quadratec has a deal on them $1479.99 for the front and $1349.99 for the rear. They have the electronic locker and are fully Assembled. So I was wondering are they the same length, same bolt pattern, and are the axle shaft lengths different? If it's not a direct bolt in what would I have to do to make it work?

If it helps I have a 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
4.0L I6
3-Speed Auto
Dana 30 Front
Dana 35 Rear
NP Model 231 Transfer Case  

I thought I saw some 03-06 factory replacements, now I can't find them...hmmm. well maybe I can't read these are for the 07-08.....I'm sure all or most of the control arm mounts are incorrect for the TJ??????

front replacement

rear replacement  

Yeah I figured. Mopar couldn't have made things easy. Fabrication of mounts isn't that bad, but is the length and everything else the same?  

They are JK axles. They are a little wider (about an inch), have a different wheel lug pattern and totally different brackets. It's way doable and a good bargain still. The brackets will need to be cut off and replaced with TJ style brackets (Dynatrac, Rubicon Express, and others have good ones), you can get wheel adapters to match your wheels or simply get new wheels, although I doubt the new axles will allow the use of 15-inch wheels. The lockers can be actuated with 12-volts instead of air like on the old Rubicons.  

Thanks a lot! I was thinking of going with the New Rubicon rim also. Again thanks for the info. I guess I would have to get wider fender flares too.  

not sure how much fabrication you are interested in doing, but as stated, the JK axle would have to be stripped and new brackets mounted. JK owners have fitted 15" steel wheels. the thing is that there is very little room between the rim and brake assembly... add mud or the errant rock or two and who knows.

I also think that the axle is about 2-3" wider WMS-WMS... but I may be off on that. The JK is really a much wider rig. Using factory JK wheels will help keep the tires under the Jeep unless you want that "full width axle look". Another point.. the JK axles use flanges on the driveshaft instead of yokes... so new driveshafts, too.

good luck.... but I'd check ebay for TJ rubi axles first. Much less of a headache.  

What you guys are saying isn't exactly correct, but don't worry - I'll clear it all up for you.

I'm working on swapping a JK front axle into a TJ for the June '08 issue of Jp.  I'm including all relavant measurements of both axles, several ways to go about the install, and a couple different bolt pattern solutions.  It's gonna be packed full of info, so if it's something you're interested in you'll want to grab that issue.

Sorry, but I'm not working on the rear.  Maybe if the front generates enough interest we'll consider covering a rear swap.  

Steering is different on the JK too.

Looking forward to reading the article since I've been planning this swap since Mopar first made the axles available.  

Glad to see that the Rubicon Dana 44's can be fitted into a TJ, do you think I can get them to work in a CJ frame? I'm building a CJ-8 fron sctatch and wanted to use these axles.  

I've been looking at this swap myself. Here's what I know. People have been buying the JK 44's cutting off all the brackets and putting them under YJ's.  Not to long ago a 4x4 magazine did a step by step on this. The axles are wider and do have a different wheel bolt pattern.  NOW for the good news , at least for TJ owners. I read in another mag this month that Mopar has had such great sales with the 44's ,..that after the first of the year they are going to offer the JK 44's with the TJ brackets on them.  I'm assuming they are going to still be wider (stock JK width) BUT you will be able to simply bolt them up to your TJ.  So, give it a little time and keep checking and putting JK 44's under your TJ could be an afternoon project.  

I didn't even look at the dates on this post,...lol.....old new now ,....oh well , just trying to help.  

This is awesome...I just joined this morning and had the same questions as I own an 06LJ, 4.0L, automatic w/OD...! It all started wih the research on getting bigger tires than stock...ie from 30x9.50-15's (29" actual hgt) to sy 33x9.50...BFG KM2's say 285x75x16" to get to 32.8 or so...new wheels optional. I am not a rock crawler but want more tire which means gears, and so-on...so why not go with new axles...then sticker shock until JP article on MOPAR JK Ruby axles...so please let your reference be true and comming soon! Thank YOU!  

Please see my response as I forgot to reply to you directly...an add'l thought, however, will Chysler make it through this financial issue long enough to mfgr the axles for the TJ?

All the excitement for the TJ'rs wanting the axles may just be a MOOT point.