[ChrisTJCO]

Ok, so here's the situation. Currently, all my Jeep has is 2.5" OME springs and Skyjacker Hydro Shocks. I'm running 245/75/16s for the time being with 4.10 gears on open Dana 30/35 axles. I have the 4.0L with a 5-speed AX-15.

A friend of mine is very active in four wheel driving. He has his own shop in his house (with a pit, lift, all the tools, etc). He is a very skilled fabricator and mechanic.

He has a set of axles he has offered to give me for me free. They are a front Dana 44 with a spool and hubs and a rear Ford 9-Inch with a detroit locker. They both have 4.88 gears in them. They are not set up for a TJ right now, but he could easily weld on the proper brackets.

As I said, he has offered to give them to me for free and would weld the brackets for free. I'd have to buy the brackets.

I'm wondering if I should do this. I'd wait a little while so I could save up the money to put on 35 inch tires with the 4.88 gears. I'd clearly have to do some kind of tube fenders or a high-line kit. I know I'd also need to at least upgrade my drag link and tie rod as well to run 35s offroad at all.

My jeep is my daily driver. Would having these axles be a terrible idea? They are FREE and my cheap self can't help but like that idea, but I don't want to get into a money pit.

What do you all think?

 

[ChrisTJCO]

It has locking hubs - if I unlocked them, would that not work?

 

[ChrisTJCO]

I didnt see that. I think that will be fine then since the front wont be spinning in 2wd but let someone more experienced give you a definite answer.

Gotcha - what about the other considerations?

 

[ChrisTJCO]

all you have to do is buy the brackets? that is a total of $450.
steering would be another $400, maybe.
with the hubs unlocked, you WILL NOT notice the spool on the street.

i think that is one helluva deal. DO IT!
even if you had to pay someone to pull the spool out, you would still be money ahead.

K, there's one in the DO IT category.

If I added 1.25" BL and did some fender trimming, it seems like I could run 35s without too much issue.

 

[ChrisTJCO]

the currie steering wont work with the front D44. unless it is TJ width, which i doubt that the axles are. the front should be a high pinion, which is a plus.

the SYE and DC DS can wait, but that should be the next thing you buy.

So would my stock steering not work with the front Dana 44 then?

 

[ChrisTJCO]

you need to factor in the purchase of new rims with the CJ/ford bolt pattern of 5x5.5". you should still be able to keep 15" and 16" rims.
Currie Enterprises has a rear disc brake kit that uses the Exploder rear disc brake setup, for $500.

True. I could also get spidertrax adapters. I have a friend that works there and I can get 4.5-5.5 adapters for reaaaally cheap.

 

[ChrisTJCO]

nope. this is your opportunity to upgrade. look into a "one ton steering" setup. here is an example. i dont think you can run crossover, but the inverted T setup is pretty popular.

Gotcha - this is kinda what I was afraid of - a bunch of stuff adding up.