Differential replacement for Rubicon front Dana 44

[Gabe T]

My front locker is bad on my 2004 Rubicon and I can’t seem to find a loaded open diff to replace it with that specifies it will fit a front Dana 44 for my year model. Can anyone help me figure out which open differential carriers are compatible with the front Dana 44?

 

[macleanflood]

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-23993139-dana-44hd-open-loaded-carrier.html

 

[L J]

Just out of curiosity ... why replace it with an open diff?

 

[Gabe T]

Just out of curiosity ... why replace it with an open diff?

Price point. With the kind of wheeling I do it doesn’t make sense to pay $1000+ dollars for another locker, when I can get an open diff for a quarter of that.

 

[Abendage]

I’m pretty sure you can use any non-JK carrier 3.73 or lower, numerically, carrier. The rubicon gears are thick cut and use the lower carrier. My rear locker went out and I put in a full case Detroit meant for the lower numeric gears and it fit just fine. Didn’t even need to change any shims from stock, backlash was a match.

 

[Abendage]

Rubicon Resurrection looks like they have some front factory lockers in stock right now though. I’d go that route over an open carrier.

https://sites.google.com/view/rubiconresurrection/home

 

[Gabe T]

I’m pretty sure you can use any non-JK carrier 3.73 or lower, numerically, carrier. The rubicon gears are thick cut and use the lower carrier. My rear locker went out and I put in a full case Detroit meant for the lower numeric gears and it fit just fine. Didn’t even need to change any shims from stock, backlash was a match.

If im not mistaken this should work correct?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2315277961...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[Abendage]

If im not mistaken this should work correct?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2315277961...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

No, that’s the wrong carrier break if you still have the factory 4.10’s.

 

[Gabe T]

No, that’s the wrong carrier break if you still have the factory 4.10’s.

Yeah still the factory 4.10 gears. So what does carrier break mean?

 

[Abendage]

The one you posted is for 3.92 or higher, you need the one for 3.73 and lower. The Rubicon 4.10’s are a thick cut gear that uses a different carrier than normal.

 

[Gabe T]

Oh ok, I knew my gear ratio was 4.10 but I had no idea about the "thick cut" gears. Thank you so much brother.

 

[Gabe T]

The one you posted is for 3.92 or higher, you need the one for 3.73 and lower. The Rubicon 4.10’s are a thick cut gear that uses a different carrier than normal.

So this one should work then right?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2310932748...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[Abendage]

So this one should work then right?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2310932748...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

No, that’s not even for the right axle. No offense, but this isn’t the same as changing brake pads. If you’re going to do this yourself I’d spend some time researching and learning what you are looking at and what it takes to do this. Swapping carriers is going to take some specialized tools that I’m guessing you aren’t familiar with let alone have if you don’t know what a carrier break is.

 

[Gabe T]

No, that’s not even for the right axle. No offense, but this isn’t the same as changing brake pads. If you’re going to do this yourself I’d spend some time researching and learning what you are looking at and what it takes to do this. Swapping carriers is going to take some specialized tools that I’m guessing you aren’t familiar with let alone have if you don’t know what a carrier break is.

Sorry I copied the wrong link, I meant to send this one.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2357042692...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[macleanflood]

30 spline, lower carrier break... everything looks good but I've never heard of elite.

-Mac