I'm looking at picking up a Dana 44 front axle out of a 2005 TJ Rubicon, with 4.10 gears and a Tru Lok locker. My understanding is that the axle itself will bolt right in to my XJ. I'm more concerned about the Tru Lok and I'm hoping someone can shed some light for me... I understand that it is an air locker, and my question is that if I install the axle without immediately installing On Board Air, will the Tru Lok behave as an open diff? Or will it be constantly locked?


Thanks for your help. I searched but didn't find anything on this.

If I remember correctly, the front Rubicon axle is fully open when the locker is not engaged. So it's a bit of "all or nothing". It will certainly not be a fully locked at all times kind of arrangement. It should be unlocked when there is no air being fed to the locker. Applying compressed air is what causes the locker to lock. It's a safety thing. You want a failure in the air system to leave you with an open differential. You certainly wouldn't want the locker to lock suddenly when you're driving down the road and the air line burst.

I do remember something about the rear locker being a limited slip when not locked. At least in the TJ. And it's possible that the front is the same. But other experts would have to chime in.


Be sure to seal the connection if you run it before you install air to the axle. You don't want gunk to get in there. And it's a good idea while the axle is out to do a few minor upgrades like C-gussets and maybe a truss or axle sleeves. After all, the TJ (and JK) Rubicon axle has the same tubes and knuckles as a Dana 30 which aren't all that strong.

Bolt it up, worry about the air later

As far as I know there was not on board air from the factory and Rubi's are electric "e-locker" Wire it up and have a blast.

Thanks for the input, guys. I assumed the locker would be "unlocked" until I set up the OBA, but you know what they say about assuming...



aka"dude", my internet research led me to believe the Tru Lok was an air locker. When I go to pick it up I will inspect it and ask the seller.



This is good advice, thank you. I've been considering the WJ brake upgrade for a while, and reading that the TJ/JK rubi 44 has the same tubes and knuckles as the Dana 30 has me wondering... Would the WJ brake upgrade work on a TJ Dana 44?

Incorrect.
The TJ Rubicon has a tiny compressor somewhere around the belly pan. The lockers require single digit psi to work.
The JK has E lockers.

Thanks for the info Big David. Any idea if the WJ brake conversion would work on the TJ front Dana 44?

Yes it will

X2

I picked it up tonight.





The previous owner claimed the locker is electric. You can see that the connector is broken, and the PO said he had never used the locker. The axle didn't come with the knuckles but that's okay. It did come with a heavy duty diff cover. All in all, I paid $100 for the axle and shafts, so I think I did okay.

What year or years of the Rubicon will the front axle bolt onto a XJ?

It was a steal

'97 to '06.

Thanks! Now I have to decide which knuckles I want to use and I have to figure out how to hookup the locker.

Any knuckle that will fit a D30 will work on the Rubi.

Thanks for the info.

Does anyone have any tips for how to hookup the locker?

I found this link for what appears to be the OEM air pump used on the TJ's.

Would that be the way to go or would buying something like an ARB air compressor with some switches be better/easier?