Last month we showed you some of our thoughts on rear axle upgrades for our '97 TJ project. Like the majority of our readers, this Jeep serves much of its time pulling commuting duties, with only the occasional foray off-road. That's why most ofour optionsare geared more toward affordability and reasonability and not just throwing darts at the strongest stuff out there.
This month we'll show you some front axle upgrades that make sense to a broad swath of TJ and XJ owners-from the guy running on the street most of the time to the complete trail killer. Tune in next month to find out which choices we made. The answer might surprise you.
Dana 30 Alloy USA 27-spline shafts and Ox Locker
* Alloy USA 27-spline alloy stock replacement shafts with U-joints: $564.99
* Alloy USA 4.56 ring-and-pinion: $149.99
* Ring-and-pinion installation kit: $82.99
* 30-spline D30 OX Locker: $739.99
* 78-inch OX cable shifter: $95.99
* Gear setup and install labor: $500(estimate)
Total: $2,133.95
Pros: Gets larger Dana 44-sized 760X U-joints (for earlier XJ D30 fronts). Selectable locker for zero handling quirks on-road and tighter turning capability off-road than full-time locker. Upgrades can be performed over time and as budget allows since uses same shaft spline as stock carrier.
Cons: Retains stock size 1.16-inch, 27-spline axleshaft size with little cost savings over 30-spline shaft conversion.
Dana 30 Alloy USA 30-Spline Shafts And Ox Locker
* Alloy USA 30-spline D30 shafts with U-joints: $564.99
* Alloy USA 4.56 ring-and-pinion: $149.99
* Ring-and-pinion installation kit: $82.99
* 30-spline D30 OX Locker: $799.99
* 78-inch OX cable shifter: $95.99
* Gear setup and install labor: $500(estimate)
Total: $2,193.95
Pros: Gets 1.31-inch, 30-spline shafts, and larger Dana 44-sized 760X U-joints. No air compressor needed and no drilling of housing for air fitting simplifies installation. Allows retention of housing modifications like high steering or relocated track bar brackets, if so equipped.
Cons: Retains relatively weak D30 ring-and-pinion. Axletubes still vulnerable to bending.
Dana 30 Superior Super 30 Kit With ARB Air Locker
* Super 30 kit with ARB pneumatic locker: $1,589.99
* Superior 4.56 ring-and-pinion: $169.99
* Ring-and-pinion installation kit: $82.99
* Gear setup and install labor: $550(estimate)
* ARB compact compressor: $159.99
Total: $2,552.96
Pros: Allows retention of housing modifications like high steering or relocated track bar brackets, if so equipped. Selectable locker for zero handling quirks on-road and tighter turning capability off-road than full-time locker. Dana 44-sized shafts.
Cons: Retains somewhat weak D30 ring-and-pinion. Stock axletubes can be vulnerable to bending. Requires source of compressed air for locker.