OffroadAdmin
Many customers flock to Jeep Wranglers because of their high customizability, and the Jeep Wrangler axles are one part of the vehicle that can be modified or pre-selected to suit your needs. There is a wide range of different axles that can come directly from the factory.
Many Jeep Wranglers might not even leave the factory with the same axle they were built with. For the people who aren’t too familiar with the parts of a vehicle, figuring out the Jeep Wrangler axle specs might raise some confusion.
Jeep Wrangler Axle Types
Ever since the first Jeep Wrangler YJ was released to the market in 1987, there have been three standard axle types. They are known as the Dana 30, the Dana 35, and the Dana 44. Most of the Jeep JK axles will come loaded with one of these axles.
Dana 30
The most common axle found in Jeep JK stock axles is known as Dana 30. Dana 30 is easier to recognize because it has a differential cover on it with a flat side. The top and bottom are more of a round shape as well.
Dana 30 was the axle installed in the front of Jeep Wranglers, so before going to the rear of your vehicle and thinking you’ll be able to find it there, you won’t. If you do find an axle there, it won’t be a Dana 30 axle.
Dana 35
The Dana 35 axle can be easily recognized by its differential cover, which comes in an oval shape. The cover will be wider than its height, and the Dana 35 is an axle that you can only find in the rear of a Jeep Wrangler, so if you’re looking at the back of your vehicle and see a rear axle, there’s a very good chance that it’s a Dana 35 axle.
Dana 44
The Dana 44 axle is situated right under the front or rear end of the Jeep. The differential cover will consist of flat sides with an angle-shaped top and bottom. On the Rubicon Wrangler trim level, the Dana 44 will come factory-installed. For those who like the bigger tires and wheels on their Jeep Wrangler, many flock to the Dana 44.
60 Series Axle
There is also a 60 series axle that Jeep lovers will enjoy because of its heightened off-road performance. The 60 series axle works well with bigger wheels and tires between 38-40” or more. People who seek a Jeep Wrangler with the 60 series axle usually know precisely what they are buying it for.
For those who aren’t aware if their Jeep has a 60 series axle, there will be a model number that’s stamped near the bottom right area of the center part of the axle. 60 series axles also have a bigger center section to store all of the gearing involved.
How to Choose the Right Axle for Your Jeep?
Jeep Wrangler axle specs vary in shape and size. If you’re still confused about your axle after attempting to identify it by the vehicle year and your Jeep model, you can always just take a look at what is known as the axle’s bill of materials number.
The bill of the material number will be located alongside the long tube of the axle shaft. The bill of material number is six digits long, with another two near the end of the tube. Once you get that number, you simply go to Dana’s website and plug that number in to figure out what axle you possess.
Jeep Wrangler YJ axles
Considering the overall stock breakdowns, if you have a Jeep YJ that was built anywhere between 1987 – 1995, then these will have a Dana 30 in the front and Dana 35 in the rear. Jeep only used a single axle factory combination during those years.
Jeep Wrangler TJ axles
If you have a Jeep Wrangler TJ built between 1998 – 2006, the Dana 30 will still be in the front, and most likely a Dana 35 in the back. One thing to note is that Jeep had an option for those driving a manual transmission to have a Dana 44 rear axle.
Jeep Wrangler LJ axles
When 2003 rolled around, there was a Rubicon trim level that had a Dana 44 in the front and back. For those who purchased the LJ between 2003 – 2006, the Dana 30 will be in the front with the Dana 44 in the rear.
Jeep Wrangler JK axles
Between the years of 2007 – 2018, Dana 30 axles will be in the front, aside from those that have a Rubicon trim level. For those who have an early two-door JK model, the Dana 35 will be in the rear. Jeep switched to Dana 44 for the rear axles swiftly. The four-door JK Wranglers have the Dana 44s in the rear.
New JL Wranglers
I’ve you bought a new JL Wrangler, the Dana 30 will be in the front and Dana 35 in the back, unless you decide to upgrade to the Dana 44 axle. The Rubicon JL will have Dana 44 in the front and back. The newer axles present in these vehicles aren’t like the ones your Dad might have had in his old Jeep. These are much lighter and stronger than any axle produced prior. The newer axles also aren’t interchangeable with the axles of previous generations.
Jeep Wrangler Axle Specs
If you want to save yourself the headache of searching around your vehicle for which axle you have, there is a simple way to do that. You’ll just have to locate your vehicle identification number and then pop that in on Jeep’s website.
Most people will be completely content with the Dana 30/35 combination of axles for daily driving and some minor off-roading. If you’re heavy into the off-roading component of Jeep driving, it makes sense to upgrade the axles, and even more so if you’re driving with bigger tires and wheels.
When people switch to bigger tires, many YJ, TJ, and even JK Jeep owners will get the Dana 44 axles installed. No one wants to deal with bent factory axles, so it makes sense to do this upgrade.
Jeep Wrangler Axles FAQ
How do I know when it’s time to upgrade my Jeep Wrangler axles?
If you run larger tires (35″+), go rock crawling often, or hear clicking, whining, or grinding from the differential, it may be time to upgrade. Frequent breakage of axle shafts or bending under heavy load is also a clear sign that your current axles can’t handle your setup.
Can I run 37-inch tires on stock Jeep axles?
You can, but you probably shouldn’t. Stock Dana 30 and Dana 35 axles are not designed for the stress of 37s. Most Jeep owners upgrade to Dana 44 or a 60-series axle before moving to 37-inch tires. Running them on stock axles greatly increases your risk of breakage.
Are Rubicon axles really stronger than standard Jeep Wrangler axles?
Yes. Rubicon trims generally come with upgraded Dana 44 axles front and rear, with stronger housings, beefier tubes, and locking differentials. They can handle larger tires and more intense off-road use right from the factory.
Can I mix axle brands or types on my Jeep?
Yes, but they must match in gear ratio. Running mismatched ratios between front and rear axles can damage the drivetrain. Most owners upgrade one axle at a time, but always re-gear both to the same ratio.
What’s the best axle for extreme off-roading?
For hardcore rock crawling or running 40-inch tires, a 60-series axle is the gold standard. These axles offer massive strength, thicker tubes, and heavy-duty components designed to handle extreme terrain and high loads.
