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Gold Hills Posse 4×4 Club · Folsom, CA

97 TJ Rubicon?

  1. BLTJeep Subscriber
    #123 Feb 2018, 6:04 AM

    So, after looking and waiting for the right deal, I finally have a set of 04 TJ Rubicon axles lined up for my broken down money pit. They are coming off a local, low-mileage, stock pavement pounder. Pumps and everything included. This will be the easiest (and cheapest) in the long run for me to get back on the road reliably (and pretty much bolt in). 4.10 gears are not optimal, but that can be worked out later.

    Anything I need to know or look out for before I lay the cash down? They should be pulled in 2-3 weeks and ready for pickup.

  2. Gilbert & Betty Member Joined: September 2014
    #223 Feb 2018, 10:34 AM

    Make sure when you change the oil use the oil with limited slip additive.

  3. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #323 Feb 2018, 10:36 AM

    What size tires do you plan on running with them?  This will be a solid upgrade but they are still only 30 spline shafts so don't expect 37s to be trouble free speed running the con.

    Stock tire size should give you no issues on current conditions, just standard wear questions.  Note that these axles use low pressure air lockers and the rear is both a torsen limited slip and air locker.  It is great for use with stock up to 35" tires but hard use on 35s and general use on 37s is known to cause the locking portion of the locker to fail.  It failed on me on the rubicon on my 36s but i was still able to easily exit the trail because the limited slip function is retained.  The front lockers are generally pretty strong and trouble free.

    You will need to get both front and rear drivelines shortened and while the rear axle is out I suggest gusseting up the rear track bar bracket.  The rear is disc and so you will want the e-brake cables to come with the axle and should consider ordering the correct proportioning valve.  (proportioning valve isnt mandatory but drums have higher residual pressure settings in the valve and will drag the disc brakes very slightly after each use.  Long term is slightly faster rear brake wear.  I am unsure if the valves provide different rear pressures between disc and drum but unlikely in this size vehicle)

  4. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #423 Feb 2018, 10:41 AM
    Gilbert & Betty said Make sure when you change the oil use the oil with limited slip additive.    

    This is incorrect. The TJ Rubicon rear 44 uses a gear style limited slip combined with a locker, no friction disks, I have had one apart. A limited slip will do no harm but since there is not a clutch pack, it isnt needed.  Limited slip additive is only needed for the LJ non-rubicon 44 which had a Trak-Lok limited slip which uses clutch packs.

  5. BLTJeep started this Subscriber
    #526 May 2018, 10:39 AM

    Rear went in without any issues. Drove it to ADCO in front wheel drive to have them shorten the rear driveshaft. It has a U Joint converter joint at the axle now.

    Lower Track bar bolt did not want to spin trying to remove the old front. Ended up cutting the mount up to get in and cut the bolt end off. Got a new bushing sleeve and bolt, front went in pretty smooth after that. Going back to ADCO this next week to have the front driveshaft shortened and the conversion joint installed.

    Air pumps and lines are going in tomorrow.

    I picked up a used matching set of 4.88 gears that were pulled to install 5.13s. With the 4 banger, I am going to need these installed soon. I had 4.88's in the old axles, and know that was just about right. 5.13's would be nice, but they aren't free like these 4.88's...

  6. Mike G Subscriber
    #627 May 2018, 2:17 AM

    Sounds like she's coming together nicely!

    Mike G
  7. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #728 May 2018, 2:27 AM

    Nice. Be sure to carry one of those conversion joints in your parts bag as almost nobody will have one on the trail. I might have one that you can have so I will check my parts pile. (Used to run one with the 8.😎

    I think the front axle yoke might also be a 1330 so you might have conversion joint up there too but it has been a couple years since I have touched one so don't quote me

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