I recently purchased a 2007 Wrangler Unlimited X (from a suburbanite who’d put 36’s and at 4” lift for “looks”- sucker!)  and I plan on wheeling it in my local mountains on rock gardens and some 3-4 rated trails.  I’m concerned about the front axle holding up, and I’d like to re-gear and throw in a locker too.  Here’s my question:  can a guy with average (well, better then average I guess- I’ve rebuild a few engines, but not done a lot on the drive train side) swap in the MOPAR Performance OEM Rubicon Dana 44 Complete Front Axle Assembly with little fuss?  I’m not worried about the required wiring harness and switch pod; that’s easy stuff.  And I’ve done my fair share of caliper rebuilds and replacements, so I’m not worried about that or the shocks.  Mostly, I’m concerned about the trailing arm installation and the steering stuff.  Is this hard to do?  The shop I’ve looked at is charging about $2,500 for the install, and I could tell you that if I could do it, then that’s cash that could go into skids and winch and such.

Anyone care to enlighten me?  Thanks!  

http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/drivetrain/131_0804_jeep_wrangler_jk_dana_4x4_axles/index.html  

If you're willing to chase down the little things, the axle will bolt right up. Maybe things like drive shaft length, or incompatibility of the yoke/flange setup.

I put a TJ Rubi 44 under my TJ. But I swapped from the knuckles out with my original stuff. My housing did not come as complete as the JK one. And it cost more. Go figure.  

wow they get 2500s buck for a swap that'll take 2hrs to do? that must include the axle....cause it's about 1400.  

Yes indeed, it did include the axle- but still, that's a grand I can save, if I do it myself.  Seems simple enough.  I think I'll give it a try in the coming weeks.

I'll keep you posted as to if it’s really a "bolt in" installation.  

From what I can tell, the front drive shafts are the same. Can't find anything that says there is a difference between the flanges of the 241 vs the 241OR, or the flanges on the D30 vs D44.

The D44 snout is longer, but with a lift it might be the same distance as stock.

Lots of talk about short lived JK cv drivline joints on lifted JKs though.  

This doesn't really apply to the JK swap but interesting as far as strength concerns.

I was thinking this axle was the ticket, no questions asked, but maybe not??

http://blogs.4wdandsportutility.com/6251949/editorials/jk-rubicon-frontend/index.html