NOT your average d44 question.. please help

**vindicated** · 11-20-2009, 05:57 PM

Ok,

heres the scenario. I have a 2006 TJ, with a D35. I was thinking about the Super 35 with an Eaton e-locker, which would put me at about $2k installed. I would really much rather opt for the D44, but I cant find it with the gears for cheaper than about $1.9k. Everyone is saying that the d44 swap is the same price as the super 35? I am unable to weld so an 8.8 is out because of the cost factor of getting it installed. I have done alot of research on here and the internet. Am I missing something? Does a D44 bolt right onto the TJ or is there pre-fab that needs to happen. Also, why is everyone saying they can get the d44 installed with ARB for 1k? Is that cause everyone is doing all the installation themselves? I really need some help here guys. I am going to be doing this around February (tax refund) and want to save as much money as possible.

EDIT: I will also be installing TruTrac on the front D30.. or do you think I should do something else? this is my daily driver and I dont do any serious offroading. Lets just say fire roads for now. :-)

Jeepster83 · 11-20-2009, 06:12 PM

look on craigslist and salvage yards for a used TJ D44. if it came out of a TJ then there wont be any problem putting it into another TJ.

FWIW i got my S35 for a little more than $800. but i saved on the install since i did it myself. it would have been at least another few hundred to have it installed.

never monday · 11-20-2009, 06:20 PM

2k is robbery

**vindicated** · 11-20-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by never monday

2k is robbery

Well I can find the Super35 for 1300 and the eaton for around 600. So do you guys know something I dont?

bama27 · 11-20-2009, 06:38 PM

Not sure about the eaton but the S35 comes with a full time or selectable locker in the kit.

krawler00 · 11-20-2009, 06:45 PM

x2, it comes with a detroit or arb, your choice. I paid under $1500 for everything, including install. Good luck finding a 44, they don't last long on the market. An 8.8 is a good deal if you can get someone to weld the brackets and such. Just get the S35 kit and be done. But no way it should cost 2k!

**vindicated** · 11-20-2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bama27

Not sure about the eaton but the S35 comes with a full time or selectable locker in the kit.

Really? Where can I buy it with an option for an elocker? All I have seen is either tru trac or Detroit locker? Some ARB..

**Jerry Bransford** · 11-20-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedavidfield

Well I can find the Super35 for 1300 and the eaton for around 600. So do you guys know something I dont?

What Super 35 are you talking about? If you're talking about the real thing as made by Superior Axle, the price you see for it includes a locker. You don't pay extra for a locker. The Super 35 kit from Superior Axle includes a choice of several lockers including the ARB Air Locker, Detroit Locker, Eaton E-Locker (I think) and Ox-Locker (I think). The prices aren't the same but if you found a Superior Axle Super 35 kit for sale for $1300, rest assured it includes a locker. A Detroit Truetrac limited slip differential is not available with the Super 35 however.

**vindicated** · 11-20-2009, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krawler00

x2, it comes with a detroit or arb, your choice. I paid under $1500 for everything, including install. Good luck finding a 44, they don't last long on the market. An 8.8 is a good deal if you can get someone to weld the brackets and such. Just get the S35 kit and be done. But no way it should cost 2k!

What is X2? Where did you buy it?

**Jerry Bransford** · 11-20-2009, 06:51 PM

X2 means he is agreeing with another poster. X3 means you are agreeing with two other posters, etc..

**vindicated** · 11-20-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

What Super 35 are you talking about? If you're talking about the real thing as made by Superior Axle, the price you see for it includes a locker. You don't pay extra for a locker. The Super 35 kit from Superior Axle includes a choice of several lockers including the ARB Air Locker, Detroit Locker, Eaton E-Locker (I think) and Ox-Locker (I think). The prices aren't the same but if you found a Superior Axle Super 35 kit for sale for $1300, rest assured it includes a locker. A Detroit Truetrac limited slip differential is not available with the Super 35 however.

Thanks Jerry! I was hoping I would hear from you. I havent seen it being offered with the elocker. I need to do some more digging. Thanks!!!

Oh And yeah, I have heard only good things about Superior, and since they started it, I will more thank likely go with their kit..

**vindicated** · 11-20-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

X2 means he is agreeing with another poster. X3 means you are agreeing with two other posters, etc..

Wow, I really am a noob.. ha ha

to me.. lol

**vindicated** · 11-20-2009, 06:59 PM

oh and your right. I was mistakent about it being offered with TrueTrac... :-(

Niceface · 11-20-2009, 07:07 PM

Your location plays a roll in pricing as well. I'm guessing Riverside Cali... If so, your probably more expensive, than say back woods arkansas. (no offense ark peeps).

My advise is simply have patience. You never know what you'll find. Look around at local jeep clubs in the areas. Everyone's upgrading at some point.

I was about to drop $1600 for a d44, then another 300 to get it regeared, but I kept looking around. A few weeks later I met a guy from a jeep club here in Houston who sold me a killer deal. He upgraded to d60's and he sold me his d30 front and d44 rear with matched gears (4.56), OX lockers, and alloy shafts for $2,000!!!

Then to make the deal even sweeter, I sold my stock axles for $400 bucks!!!

I did the install myself to save on labor, and I learned a TON about my jeep. There isn't a bolt under the body that I haven't put a wrench too now, and that's priceless knowledge.

Have patience. A deal will come....

**crqflier** · 11-20-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedavidfield

EDIT: I will also be installing TruTrac on the front D30.. or do you think I should do something else? this is my daily driver and I dont do any serious offroading. Lets just say fire roads for now. :-)

I'd get the drop in locker up front rather than the tru trac. Easy install, inexpensive, and better performance once you realize you're going to do more than fire roads. I've got the Powertrax no-slip, but a bunch of folks on here like the aussie.