anyone had experience with Dynatrac axles?

[Overland_YJ]

as the title says guys,

i am talking with dynatrac about getting a "trail series d-44" and want to hear some good/bad before i drop $4500.00 on an axle.

just hear me out a bit and your comments are welcome. right now you can buy a Mopar Jeep JK 44 with 4:10's, electric locker and discs for $1850.00 US from 4wd.com. of course when i get it i would have to remove the JK mounting hardware and add YJ stuff. it is also then about 2 inches wider than my front so i would have to run spacers in the front and either machine the hubs for 5x4.5 bolt pattern or use the front spacers to convert my 5x4.5 to 5x5 and get all new wheels. also i would need to re-gear it to 4:88 to match the front. i dont know if there are many jeep fans here but that axle is right now in the news about having problems while running 35's or bigger. it is bending and in some documented cases breaking, the wall thickness is 1/4 or 4/16.

now the dynatrac axle, they get that same JK axle from Mopar and remove the axle tubes (weak point). they reuse the pumpkin, add their own thicker tubes (5/16 wall dom, not much thicker) and also add all the yj mounting gear in stock locations. they regear to any ratio i want (for 250.00). they even shorten the axle to be same track width as stock, this means they also shorten the axles. so in future when buying axles i would have to buy jk axles and have them modified to fit as a stock d44 shaft would have a different spline count. also i would need to remachine the bolt pattern each time as like i said those jk axles would come with 5x5 and i need 5x4.5....you all still with me? the cost of the dynatrac converted axle is $4500.00 US (that includes shipping)

mopar axle = 1850, plus 250 shipping, plus about 250 to re-gear here, and all the hassle of spacers and wheel change or machining new bolt pattern..
so 2350.00 delivered then still not ready and i have the potential of a weak axle tube problem.

dynatrac axle = 4500, ready to go and no problems in future with weak axle or bolt pattern problems. only issue is when/if getting new axles i have to order from dynatrac or remachine jk axle here.

now please dont tell me about how you got a ford 8.8 out of a wrecked explorer and did it all for less than $1000.00...i know this is a possability but with my schedual and lifestyle just no time for me to do all the leg work and assembly/mods to an older axle myself.

i am looking for a bolt in ready to go axle with little to no hassel in the future getting spares or what have you.

so guys, your thoughts? Has anyone dealt with dynatrac or seen one of their axles up close?

cheers

[TheOtherSide]

Can't say that I've had any experiences with Dynatrac at all... sorry.

I'm putting in an XJ D44 into mine...

[Overland_YJ]

spoke with them this morning...well morning my time (i am in india)...the truth of the matter is that the trail series D-44 is in fact just a rebuilt JK D-44. they get the new housings from chrysler with locker, brakes and shafts. all they do is replace the axle tubes with a slightly heavier one and add either TJ or YJ mounts, shorten to fit and voila-trail series axle. for just over $200.00 more i got the trail series D-60 which is a complete Dynatrac build from ground up. with the 60 there is no charge for any gear ratio you want, it has explorer brakes so easy to get parts in the future and also much easier to get axle shafts...if i break the 1.5 inch axle shaft with 35inch tires and a 4cyl i'll be surprised.

cant wait for that crate to arrive on the door step. will post up pics and an instal when it gets here...6 week lead time unfortunately.

[Sero]

Sorry, no exp with Dynatrac.

If I had to choose between your two selections I'd probably go with the Mopar unit and truss it and go with the more common 5.5 on 5 bolt pattern. No custom parts required and in either case you should be welding on your spring perch's so you get the correct pinion angle, I'm not sure how Dynatrac will get that right without your truck being right there.

Personally $4500 USD for a D44 is too much IMO. If your running 35"s and looking to spend that kind of money I'd be getting somthing better than a D44.

This could be a good start: http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/productsCR.aspx?id=2715&p=1034.9500

Click on the "Build your crate rear end" and with a standard carrier and ARB air locker, 4.88 and explorer disc brakes your looking at less than $3000 USD for an axle that can handle way more than either of those D44s.

If you go with Curries high pinion carrier to reduce your driveshaft angle your still less than $3400 USD.

I have no exp with Currie, but that is what I hear they do good with...rear ends. I do believe there are more company's that do complete rears, but Currie is the first one that pops into my head when that subject comes up.

[Sero]

spoke with them this morning...well morning my time (i am in india)...the truth of the matter is that the trail series D-44 is in fact just a rebuilt JK D-44. they get the new housings from chrysler with locker, brakes and shafts. all they do is replace the axle tubes with a slightly heavier one and add either TJ or YJ mounts, shorten to fit and voila-trail series axle. for just over $200.00 more i got the trail series D-60 which is a complete Dynatrac build from ground up. with the 60 there is no charge for any gear ratio you want, it has explorer brakes so easy to get parts in the future and also much easier to get axle shafts...if i break the 1.5 inch axle shaft with 35inch tires and a 4cyl i'll be surprised.

cant wait for that crate to arrive on the door step. will post up pics and an instal when it gets here...6 week lead time unfortunately.

Heh...we we're typing at the same time....

There ya go....much better deal IMO

[Sero]

This what you got?

http://www.dynatrac.com/products_trailseries.html

High pinion too...very nice.

[AxelR]

Looks like you made up your mind. However, for a little more you could always go with these.

http://www.overkilleng.com/axles/atomicaxles.html

[Jeremy]

The D60 sounds like a much better option, good choice. Much more beef all round, do not think you will need to worry about breaking those axles. :headspin:

Look forward to seeing what it looks like when you get it.

[Overland_YJ]

This what you got?

http://www.dynatrac.com/products_trailseries.html

High pinion too...very nice.


thats the one, it is on the way as we speak....cant wait. i have been babying that D-35 for way too long.

AxelR....a "little more"? wow those look great but hopefully when i am done i will have both front and rear for the cost of one of those axles.....but they look awesome.

like i said when the crate arrives i'll post some pics as well as the install. cant wait to hit the trail and put my foot into it. see how that 60 handles the massive power of the "4 ANGRY SQUIRELS"...hmmm on second thought i wonder if i'll even be able to move it? whats that...V8 conversion...might be in the cards.

[TheOtherSide]

Mmm.... V8 is good (not the drink.)

I have the 4.0L in my Daily Driver Grand Cherokee... what a slug... the V8 is awesome. However, the 4.0L in the XJ's and TJ's etc it's got lots of power.

V8 all the way!!! :rant:

[Overland_YJ]

so thought you might like to see the "beast"

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll31/overland_YJ/Dynatrac%20axle/IMG00101-20090528-1503.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll31/overland_YJ/Dynatrac%20axle/IMG00102-20090528-1504.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll31/overland_YJ/Dynatrac%20axle/IMG00103-20090528-1554.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll31/overland_YJ/Dynatrac%20axle/IMG00104-20090528-1614.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll31/overland_YJ/Dynatrac%20axle/IMG00114-20090612-1921.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll31/overland_YJ/Dynatrac%20axle/IMG00113-20090612-1920.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll31/overland_YJ/Dynatrac%20axle/IMG00116-20090612-1922.jpg

trying it out tomorrow for real...will get pics

[TheOtherSide]

Nice!! Looks beefy.

How do you like the new BFG Muds?

Is that an ARB compressor I see? Which one?

[Overland_YJ]

the bfg's are great. it is beafy and the compressor is the bigger one. it is supposed to be able to air tires up so will hook it up as an onboard air system and see how she goes.