Jeep Wranglers are extremely capable off-road in stock form and feature solid front axles for excellent strength and articulation. While Rubicon models come from the factory with lockers front and rear, all other models would benefit greatly from a pair of aftermarket Eaton E-Lockers or OX Lockers.
Jeep Wrangler YJ (1987 - 1995)
The following gears, lockers and install kits are available for the 1987 to 1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ with Dana 30 solid front axles and Dana 35 / Model 35 solid rear axles. These axles are good for mild to moderate off-roading with up to 35" tires when properly upgraded, however, anything more than that would justify a Dana 44 or one-ton axle swap. All differentials and gears used 3/8" ring gear bolts so all aftermarket gears and differentials are compatible with OEM equipment.
Front: Dana 30 27 Spline / Full Floating
3/8" R.G. Bolts / Non-Crush Sleeve
Reverse Rotation
Uses standard Dana 35 / M35 gears.
1987-89 axles use bolt-in axle shafts.
1990-95 axles use c-clip axle shafts.
1988-96 a Dana 44 was available (rare).
Jeep Wrangler TJ / LJ / Unlimited (1997 - 2006)
The following gears, lockers and install kits are available for the 1997 to 2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ (Non-Rubicon) with a Dana 30 solid front axle and either a Dana 35 or Dana 44 rear axle. The Dana 30 and Dana 35 axles are adequate for mild to moderate off-roading with up to 35" tires when properly equipped while the optional Dana 44 rear axle can be built to handle up to 40" tires under more aggressive use.
When changing gears or differentials in these axles you will need to pay attention to the ring gear bolt sizes as they changed from 3/8" to 7/16" between 2002 and 2003. Ring gear bolt sleeves may be needed for some differentials while others may need to have their bolt holes enlarged slightly.
Front: Dana 30 TJ 27 Spline / Crush Sleeve
3/8" R.G. Bolts / Short Pinion
Standard Rotation
Uses standard Dana 35 / M35 gears.
1987-89 axles use bolt-in axle shafts.
1990-95 axles use c-clip axle shafts.
1988-96 a Dana 44 was available (rare).
1997-02 axles have 3/8" ring gear bolts.
2003-06 axles have 7/16" ring gear bolts.
OEM ratios: 3.07, 3.55, 3.73, 4.11, 4.56.
5 x 4.5" bolt pattern.
Rear: Dana 44 (Optional) 30 Spline / Full-Float
3/8" & 7/16" R.G. Bolts
Standard Rotation
Uses standard Dana 44 gears.
1997-02 axles have 3/8" ring gear bolts.
2003-06 axles have 7/16" ring gear bolts.
1997 OEM gear ratio 3.55
1998-06 OEM gear ratio 3.73
5 x 4.5" bolt pattern.
Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon (2003 - 2006)
The following gears, lockers and install kits are available for the 2003 to 2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon with Dana 44 solid front and rear axles. The front axle is equipped with a factory e-locker that switches between an open differential and a locked differential while the rear axle features a locker that switches from a limited slip differential to a locked differential. These axles are very strong and can handle moderate to aggressive off-roading with up to 40" tires.
When changing gears or differentials in these axles you will need to pay attention to the ring gear bolt sizes as the factory equipment uses 7/16" bolts while most aftermarket gears and differentials use 3/8" ring gear bolts. The OEM lockers are also lower carriers that require the use of "thick" gears.
A popular upgrade is to source another front OEM locker and use it to replace the less desirable OEM rear locker..
Front: Dana 44 TJ Rubicon 30 Spline / Full-Float
7/16" Ring Gear Bolts
Standard Rotation
Uses standard Dana 44 gears.
OEM locker requires "thick" gears.
OEM gear ratio: 4.10
5 x 4.5" bolt pattern.
Jeep Wrangler JK / JK Unlimted (2007 - 2017)
The following gears, lockers and install kits are available for the 2007 to 2017 Jeep Wrangler JK (Non-Rubicon) with a Dana 30 solid front axle and Dana 44 rear axle. The Dana 30 front axle is the weak link in this combination and good for mild to moderate off-roading with up to 35" tires when properly built, whereas the rear axle can manage up to 40" tires under more aggressive use.
When changing gears or differentials in these axles you will need to pay attention to the ring gear bolt sizes. The front axles use 7/16" ring gear bolts while most aftermarket differentials and gears are designed for 3/8" bolts. The rear axle features 1/2" ring gear bolts that require specific ring and pinion gears or enlarging the ring gear bolt holes in an aftermarket differential to fit the OEM gears. When changing both the gears and the differential, standard Dana 44 components with 3/8" ring gear bolts will fit.
Front: Dana 30 JK 27 Spline / Crush Sleeve
7/16" R.G. Bolts / Short Pinion
Standard Rotation
Uses JK specific Dana 44 thick gears.
OEM ratios: 3.21 (3.73, 4.11)
5 x 5" bolt pattern.
Jeep Wrangler JK / JK Unlimted Rubicon (2007 - 2017)
The following gears, lockers and install kits are available for the 2007 to 2017 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon with Dana 44 solid front and rear axles. These axles feature oversized pinion gears and heavy duty electric lockers that are good for moderate to aggressive off-roading with up to 40" tires when properly equipped. Other than changing gear ratios to accommodate the larger tires, the only other worthwhile upgrade would be RCV axle shafts to handle competition compound tires for race use.
Jeep JK Rubicon axles require JK Rubicon specific gears.
Front Axle: Dana 44 JK Rubicon 30 Spline / 1/2" R.G. Bolts
Large O.D. Short Pinion
Reverse Rotation
Uses JK specific Dana 44 thick gears.
OEM gear ratio: 4.11
5 x 5" bolt pattern.
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