I bought mine from doug at extreme axle sales for 300. Then took it to Dave at full circle and had him cut it down to grand wagoneer length. The axle is a F250 out of a 78 ford 4x4. Its a high pinion so there is strength and keeps the driveshaft up out of harms way. The outers are F150 nuckles milled and drilled for high steer arms. I also used all the all ford brake parts that worked perfect with the extended brake lines that I already had. At the moment I'm running stock waggy shafts but I plan on buying the chromo shafts when I get the money together. It was a task getting all the parts together but I did it all for around 1600 bucks. I think Dave wanted 2500 installed with locker. Your locker will cost more cause I only went with lockrights.

With that said you should have plenty left over to buy a atlas transfercase.

We are not trying to talk you out of the stronger axle. We are just giving you our opinions and knowledge that we have gained.

Oh yeah, I think mine were done the same way. dual drilled. that makes it easy to switch.

LUVMYYJ wrote:

This is what I found on the Currie site for a rear 9" housing and axle package for a YJ: Features the 9-Plus notch back heavy duty housing and 31 spline performance axle package built to the stock overall width and pinion offset specs. of the vehicle. Axles include the 5 on 4 ½” and 5 on 5 ½” wheel bolt patterns drilled in them, and wheel studs installed in the stock 5 on 4 ½” pattern, ¼” thick heavy duty bearing retainer plates, and tapered Timken style wheel bearings pressed on. I'm glad I looked this up because it looks I may be able to change the bolt pattern on the Currie shafts I have and not have to buy new ones - I'll have to get them out and take a look.

Ok Kat I found you an Atlas with 5:1 gear set for 2k If you don't buy it I will. please act fast though.

http://www.rc4x4.org/rcforum/index.php/topic,3284.0.html

Ok - so I talked to both Mike at Appalacian Offroad and Dave at Full Circle about what to build up front and gave them the options of a D44, D60 or 9".

Mike and Dave both steered me away from the 44. Neither one recommended it. I told them what you all have said and they agreed that it would be stronger than what I have and would do pretty well but basically said to only do it if $ was an issue. Mike knows someone with a 93 YJ that did the 44 and has broken axles twice and also ripped up the Detroit locker in it. That guy is going to a Rockjock 60. I don't know if he had chromolly shafts ot not.

They both recommended the D60 or the 609 though both said that the problem with the 60 is the clearance. Dave specifically said the cost difference between a new 60 and a 9" is only a few hundred dollars and between a used 60 and a 9" is only about $1000. The conversion to 5 on 5.5 wheels is one of the reasons for that - around $1500.00 for either choice. They both said that the Spidertrax 609 is the best option - comparable in strength to the 60 and not as large - especially since I plan on staying on 36s.

What does this mean? It means I listened and took into consideration everything you all have said, spent 40 minutes talking to Mike and Dave, and hours talking to Bill about all sorts of possibilities (thanks again Bill). I then talked to my husband and my father and both of them said the same thing...build the 609. So that is what I am going to do.

I got an estimate from Mike for $7500 and am waiting on estimates from Dave (he said he would give me some options) but I am expecting numbers lower than Mike's. I let you guys know what he is going to build and if there are any options I need help deciding on and then, per Bill's wonderful recommendation, I will call Randy and have him try to get a better price from Dave.

Along with the axle build I am still planning on getting the 2 speed Atlas and for anybody that didn't know...the warranty is only good for the original owner - it is not transferrable - so I will get that new...again through Randy if I can but I am going to wait to see what the time frame is for getting the axle built before buying it.

Oh - 1 more thing...the Currie spare shafts that I have DO NOT have the 5 on 5.5 holes in them so I will probably just sell them when the build is complete.

That's it for now. I'll post more info as I get it. Thanks for all the input. It is much appreciated.

i thought you did have the 5.5 pattern on your axles, what are the other holes in the picture

OMFG Kat. I just looked at the invoice. prices have gone up since I bought mine. Hell for that price I'd sell you mine and put a D60 under there. HOLY CHIT!

Front and rear D60 built with 35 spline axleshafts and 5:13 gears with yukon shafts and joints and ARB in front $3700. Then to compensate for the extra inch of pumpkin you just put 39 inch tires on. oh yeah and you can still afford an atlas even with the price of 39" tires. sorry but I had to do a reality check.

you could just buy this one already completed for a few dollars more.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ROCK-CRAWLER-MUD-JEEP-BUGGY-RAIL-2-5-ROCKWELL_W0QQitemZ180304694526QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_Vehicles_Everything_Else?hash=item180304694526&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A3%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ht_936wt_0

OK you have to look at the pictures of this one. you could have evil twins! and it is already built with tera 60's front and rear and the Atlas. or you could buy this and part it out and be waaay ahead.

Ends in 2 days. keep your current jeep on the road and beat the snot out of this one. now at $8600
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___2003-Jeep-Wrangler-TJ-Rock-Crawler-Dana-60s_W0QQitemZ110309173295QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item110309173295&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

kat i am sorry but i really think that you do need to rethink the spending on your jeep when you can get one already built for what you are willing to spend. and like bill said you can buy a buggy that is offroad only so you have no more insurance and road fees to spend then keep yours on the road or for a backup rig. also looking at that link bill put out that jeep is assume with only 44 k miles on it

that one is just an example but I've seen very good rigs sell for about 8k. the comp rig that placed 3rd in the series at RCRocs was selling for about 8k. After a lot of thought I would seriously consider finding a rig you can feel good about destroying.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_Other-Vehicles-Everything-Else__ROCK-CRAWLER-MUD-JEEP-BUGGY-RAIL-2-5-ROCKWELL_W0QQitemZ180304694526QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ20Q26Q20TrailersQQadiZ2830QQddiZ2828QQadnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ20Q2dQ20EverythingQ20ElseQQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_Vehicles_Everything_Else?hash=item180304694526&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318#ht_936wt_0


$9k