Drivetrain Warehouse TJ Dana 44 Assembly
* Assembled axle with Alloy USA 30-spline shafts, ARB, 4.56 gears: $2,469.99
* ARB compact compressor: $159.99
Pros: Strong Dana 44 ring-and-pinion, 1.31-inch, 30-spline alloy shafts, 760-X U-joints, and selectable locker for excellent street manners. Shipped with brackets ready to bolt in your Jeep, allowing you to sell most of your old axle to offset cost. Stronger than stock Rubicon axles.
Cons: Reuses D30 knuckles, brakes, and unit bearings. Axletubes are Dana 30-size diameter and wall thickness. Requires source of compressed air for locker.
Currie High-Pinion 9-Inch
* Complete assembled unit with TJ suspension brackets, 4.56 gears, ARB locker: $3,399.99
* ARB compact compressor: $159.99
Total: $3,559.98
Pros: Lightweight, 31-spline shafts good for 36-inch tires and decent horsepower; strong tubes compared with D30 or Rubicon D44; relatively high clearance and high pinion for tall lifts. Can sell parts of old axle to offset cost.
Cons: Reuses stock D30 knuckles, brakes, unit bearings. Requires source of compressed air for locker.
Dynatrac Pro Rock Dana 60
* Pro Rock high-clearance centersection, 4.56 gears, ARB locker: $6,800
* ARB compact compressor: $159.99
Total: $6,959.99
Pros: Incredibly strong with 1.5-inch, 35-spline shafts, huge 9 3/4-inch ring gear, and precisely manufactured. High-clearance centersection and high-strength diff cover. Suspension brackets and mounts among the nicest available. High-pinion design and monstrously strong tubes and housing.
Cons: Somewhat overkill for the average guy running 35s or 36s. Large front hubs don't allow 5x4.5 bolt pattern, so rear will need to be changed to 5x5.5, 6x5.5, or 8x6.5 pattern to match Dynatrac's options. Source of compressed air required for locker
Sunray Engineering 1550 9-Inch
* Complete assembly with TJ brackets and steering components, 4.56 gears, ARB locker: $7,370
* ARB mini compressor: $159.99
Total: $7,529.99
Pros: Lightweight, shaved-and-plated housing. Insanely strong 1550 U-joints with 1.5-inch, 35-spline inner and outer shafts. High-strength knuckles for use with hydroboost or hydraulic steering. Huge strength without much ground clearance penalty.
Cons: Low-pinion 9-inch gears riding on coast side of teeth when used as front axle. Way overkill for low horsepower or tires smaller than 37s. Source of compressed air required for locker.
(Note: prices marked with * sourced through 4 Wheel Drive Hardware as of press time.)