Axles on Jeeps come in a few different variations. Some are geared towards towing, and others help provide a smooth ride on the road. In addition, they work to give more power to wheels or accommodate a tire upgrade. So how can you tell the difference between Jeep axles?
The axles in your Jeep are most likely a combination of the Dana 30 in front and the Dana 35 in the rear. For higher trim editions, there could be Dana 44; if it is customized, it could be Dana 60. Check the numbers on the axle shaft to be sure what axles are in your Jeep.
Knowing what kind of axles you have could be something that never crosses some Jeep owner’s minds. Some will know the serial number of their trans and have replacement parts ready. No matter which category you fall into, knowing your axle types is essential information. So read on and learn all you need to know about identifying your Jeep axles.
Identifying the Axle in Your Jeep
When it comes to identifying your Jeep axle, there are a couple of ways to get the needed information. These ways vary from running your vehicle identification number to searching online for a set of digits or knowing what year and model you have.
However, identifying your axle is a breeze once you have an idea of what you are looking for. (source: quadratec.com)
Here’s a video walk-through showing how to identify your front axle on a Jeep:
Jeep has stood by the Dana 30 for years and across many different models. Knowing what year and model you need will be very helpful.
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Here’s a video walk-through showing how to identify your rear axle on a Jeep:
The Bill of Materials is a Great Place to Start
Some parts have numbers stamped into them that allow you to run them through a search and determine the make and model. Unfortunately, the Bill of Materials is a bit hard to get to, but once you have found you can always go back if you need to remember to write the number down.
The steps to find the Bill of Materials on your Jeep are as follows:
- Get Underneath – The place to start is underneath your Jeep. Using a sled or laying flat underneath, you should look for the tube of the axle shaft. Remember that you should always have the Jeep emergency brake engaged, and the engine should be off while performing this task.
- Axle Shaft – Once you have located the axle shaft, you should move toward the end until you see a series of seven or eight digits. You might have to cut through some grime or use a flashlight to read the numbers. Write them down as soon as they are clear, and head to the Dana website for identification.
The Bill of Materials will spit out your make and model of transmission and give you the information you have been searching for.
What you might need more time to be ready for is the fact that some Jeeps have two different axle models, and you could only be halfway through the process. So check the front and back to be sure you have all the data you need.
The Year and Model is Another Great Place for Information
Another fantastic way to know what kind of axles you have in your Jeep is knowing the make and model. Companies often go with a particular axle design for years before changing, and some are built so well that they are only upgraded and never really replaced.
A few year models and makes that will let you know what kind of Jeep axles you have are:
- 87 – 95 – If you have a Jeep from the years 1987 to 1995, chances are the axles are there’s a Dana 35 in the rear and a Dana 30 upfront. The Dana axles are dependable and are still a staple of the Jeep lineup. Adding larger wheels and tires will require an upgrade of the axles, or you risk ruining the Jeep and transmission.
- 98 – 06 – From 1998 to 2006, the Dana lineup didn’t change on Jeep models. There was an upgrade during this time as the Dana 44 became available as an option for the rear axle.
- 07 – 18 – The Dana 30 and 35 are still the standard for the Jeep line. From 2007 to 2018, the Dana continued to power the new line of Rubicon Jeeps and would have the upgraded Dana 44 in both the front and rear. Again, trim models determine your pairing; if you have a 4-door Wrangler, it will also have 44 axles.
- 19 – current – In the current year models, there’s a good chance you are still using the same axles in the 87 Wrangler. The Dana 30 and 35 are standard on base models, while the upgraded and larger Jeeps will have Dana 44 as standard.
The year and make are a great way to make an educated guess as to what axles are underneath your Jeep. The critical thing to remember is that if you have larger wheels and tires, the Dana 44 and 60 are needed if you don’t have them. So always check the axles when upgrading to larger wheels and tires.
The Dana 30 and 35 are a Safe Bet for Most Models and Years
When something works, you don’t change it, and Jeep has stood by the Dana 30 and 35 for almost forty years. Remember to make sure you have these models; it would be best to find the Bill of Materials numbers and ask previous owners if any work was done to the axles. The best way to know what axle you have is by checking these Bill of Materials numbers.
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Conclusion
Identifying the type of axles you have on your Jeep is a fun task that anyone with the ability to lay flat on the ground and stand back up can do.
You must concentrate on the shaft of the axle tube and the Bill of Materials numbers located there. These numbers will correlate with a set in the Dana database and give you tons of info about your axles.
One of the best alternatives to the Bill of Materials code is the year and model of your Jeep. Knowing which year it came out, you can make an educated guess about your axles.
It is a safe bet that you have a combination of the Dana 30 in front and the Dana 35 in the rear. For higher trim editions, there could be Dana 44; if it is customized, it could be Dana 60.