Bornindesert Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 There's a 2006 Rubicon Air Locker for a D44 for sale locally. Does anyone know or have experience with installing this thick gear carrier in a 1988 Comanche D44? or Similar vintage D44... Any sources - greatly appreciated, thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted July 18, 2013 Share Posted July 18, 2013 I have the same locker (got for free from a fellow TJ Rubi owner) and plan to install it in an MJ D44. As I understand it, the housings are identical as are the install parts with one exception: a shim needs notched for Rubi air fitting clearance. Then you also need to drill a hole in the housing for the air fitting. Remember, these rear lockers only require about 5psi to operate. They are also weak in comparison to the Rubi front locker and comparable to an aluminum can when put up against an ARB. Buy gears and an install kit for a TJ Rubi and there should be no issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bornindesert Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Makes sense - a feed through and a notch in the shim pack. At $500 or so as listed, probably a good value compared to an ARB. My plan for this next project is no bigger than 33's, do you think Rubi locker is a weak point in the rear at that size tire? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 Some folks have issues with the Rubi locker, others don't. I have put 100k lifted and wheeled miles on my '03 Rubi with the stock locker with at least 33's. The last 40k of those miles have included 5.13 gears, Superior shafts and 35's. The locker and limited slip are still working great. It seems that most failures have occurred when there was a serious shock load to the differential (spinning up a slick rock ledge with the throttle down and then grabbing traction). I was mistaken regarding the shim notch. Here is a fellow much smarter than me discussing installing the Rubi locker in a non Rubi 44. The Rubi carrier is a 3 series, so gears that are higher numerically than 3.73 must be thick cut. You will need to install an NPT low pressure nipple for the air tubing into the housing center section and will need to create a small notch the into the right side bearing cap for the locker air diaphragm. You will also need to supply wiring and a switch for the low pressure air pump and the tube between connection points. If none of that scares you, you should be fine with the install.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bornindesert Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Got it, thanks - that was the description I was looking for in terms of how rugged the carrier would stand up. Obviously, the feller selling his must want to romp and stomp. I'm going to contact the guy and see if I can get a good history on the one he has up for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bornindesert Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Remember, these rear lockers only require about 5psi to operate. They are also weak in comparison to the Rubi front locker and comparable to an aluminum can when put up against an ARB. BTW, what does the 2003 Rubi have up front in terms of an axle? D30 or HP D44? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted July 19, 2013 Share Posted July 19, 2013 The Rubi front axle has a LP Dana 44 center section with D30 knuckles. The front locker is known to be stronger than the rear as it has more material in its construction without the limited slip components. Some guys run a front locker in the rear if the rear gives out. I will be running a Rubi 44 front of my '92 MJ because it was attached to a set of Vanco brakes, U turn steering and old Alloy USA shafts I bought for my TJ Rubi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bornindesert Posted July 19, 2013 Author Share Posted July 19, 2013 Nice Axle purchase....I want one of those.. B) how'd you ever come across it? What years did Rubi's come with the set-up shown here, looks like a bolt on MJ/XJ axle? So many questions now...sorry. Some nice upgrades on that D44/30 too, not to mention the Solid Diff cover. Happy to see it's getting installed in your Comanche! Crazy that Jeep would run HP's on some models, and LP's on others. Was reading a post earlier regarding how they went back and forth over the years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87Warrior Posted July 22, 2013 Share Posted July 22, 2013 The TJ Rubi axles (03-06) will bolt into the MJ. You will need a conversion ujoint for the pinion, 1330/1310. I came across this on the Rubicon Owners Forum, a once very active place..... The previous owner decided a D60 would be be better suited for his wheeling style and was unloading it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bornindesert Posted August 6, 2013 Author Share Posted August 6, 2013 Thanks for the info, helps me focus my search - I've definitely moved forward with looking around for a 03-06 D44. They're out there, but not in great abundance around the Phx area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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