Hauling Mopar Crate Axles for a Jeep - 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Long-Term Road Test

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Hauling Mopar Crate Axles for a Jeep - 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Long-Term Road Test

I bought two complete Dana 44 axle assemblies for my 2012 Jeep Wrangler, and I hauled them to our shop with our 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.

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hoseclamp

Way to lead by example on how to use that nice 2 post lift. Maybe a chance to get some of your other writers in there to demonstrate how to use it and change the oil and rotate the tires on some of your fleet?

saxdogg

What did those cost at the dealer, if I may ask? I just got an '04...might need a front one right off the bat.

quadricycle

Could have just bought a Rubicon and have everything ready to go... Granted, there would have been less content and less modifications to enjoy (if you enjoy that process).

Dan, if you're reading this, do you ever wish for something a little more comfortable? From what I remember, you guys did more rough dirt tracks than rock crawling, so a little less capability wouldn't be a big deal in exchange for some comfort. I'm not talking about the touchscreens and leather part, It's a smooth suspension and some sound insulation I'd be begging for after a while.

actualsize

saxdogg said:

What did those cost at the dealer, if I may ask? I just got an '04...might need a front one right off the bat.

I'll get you that info soon, and the part number. One was something like $2,100 and the other was $2,400 or thereabouts. I forget which is which, but each is about $1,000 less than the last time I checked 2 years ago. As you can see they're complete. The rear has rotors and calipers, even. I'm on the road and away from my notes and receipts.

Most used Rubicon take-off axles on eBay or Craigslist go for the same or more, for some reason. Maybe the used market hasn't adjusted downward in response to the new crate axle price drop. Used axle condition is unknowable, of course, and you have to pay to "crate and freight" if they aren't close enough to pay a visit. The price I paid included freight costs, which are built into the MSRP like any other parts department purchase.

actualsize

quadricycle said:

Could have just bought a Rubicon and have everything ready to go... Granted, there would have been less content and less modifications to enjoy (if you enjoy that process).

Dan, if you're reading this, do you ever wish for something a little more comfortable? From what I remember, you guys did more rough dirt tracks than rock crawling, so a little less capability wouldn't be a big deal in exchange for some comfort. I'm not talking about the touchscreens and leather part, It's a smooth suspension and some sound insulation I'd be begging for after a while.

The point was to see what we could achieve for less than the price of a Rubicon. We wanted this to be a project car and, yes, I do enjoy the process. That's part of the fun for me.

As for the other thing, this is a weekend vehicle, not a daily driver. But I've driven this far and wide, including long road trips, and it's not overly tiring or uncomfortable. Could I be more comfortable in something else? Absolutely. But a Jeep has a certain vibe that's missing in other vehicles. The rough-around-the-edges part is part of its charm

The utility of the thing makes it so much easier to keep going when the trail starts to deteriorate because the bit of wrinkled metal that might result if you get it wrong is more like a badge of honor. A Jeep is skinnier than anything else out there, and I'm certainly not worried about desert stripe or the minor scrapes that come with some of the narrower rarely-traveled trails, even easy ones. And generous approach and departure angles are still nice to have on moderate terrain. All it takes is one unexpected washout.

And while my goal isn't to run double-diamond trails for the sake of running double-diamond trials, I do like the idea that I can choose to explore just about anyplace on the map that looks interesting with a reasonable expectation of getting there. And if I break something there are tons of OE and aftermarket replacement and upgrade parts I can buy.

But I totally understand your point. A Toyota 4Runner (Trail or TRD Pro, not a Limited) could cover a lot of ground, too. It'd ride a nicer, be quieter, and I could sleep inside -- have slept inside. I could see myself in one of those, too. There's always the FJ Cruiser, and the 2nd gen Tacoma 4x4 pickup (extra cab "long" bed" is the preferred combo - crew long is too unwieldy, crew short doesn't have as much bed for gear) is widely supported in the overlanding community with parts and accessories. Lots of backcountry camping and exploring potential for not a lot of money there, too.

quadricycle

actualsize said:

The point was to see what we could achieve for less than the price of a Rubicon. We wanted this to be a project car and, yes, I do enjoy the process. That's part of the fun for me.

I understand. Jeeps really are some of the most modifiable vehicles on the road, the aftermarket is awesome!

As for having that extra "just in case" capability, I completely understand. If it weren't for that, I'd be more that happy with a Subaru Outback myself. Sometimes you need a little more, and it gives peace of mind.

I'm actually in the process of looking at most of the options that you mentioned. I like the 4Runner, but I just don't need all of the space. If I was always heading out with extra people and stuff, I'd most likely pick up a newer 4Runner or older Landcruiser, probably a 100-series. But since I don't, something smaller will be fine, specifically a Wrangler, FJ, or Tacoma (access cab spec. you mentioned). Plus these are all available with a manual. I like that the Wrangler is bare-bones, or can be, but the ride and noise is probably too much for me. Go ahead, make jokes. The FJ is polarizing. And the Tacoma is, well, safe and not as interesting as an FJ or Wrangler.

I'll be picking something after the new year, so I've got time.

saxdogg said:

What did those cost at the dealer, if I may ask? I just got an '04...might need a front one right off the bat.

Saxdogg, this may help you. It is geared toward Jeep owners and not as hard to look through as the full Mopar catalogue.

http://www.mopar.com/assets/pdf/performance/catalog/Jeep_Performance_Catalog.pdf

actualsize

Thanks. That's it exactly. Page 14. $2,100 and $2,395. The part numbers are there in the fine print. You can walk into any Jeep dealer and order them.

saxdogg

actualsize said:

Thanks. That's it exactly. Page 14. $2,100 and $2,395. The part numbers are there in the fine print. You can walk into any Jeep dealer and order them.

Thanks for the info all! I hadn't seen this catalog before......I'm about to dig into installing my first mod on my all stock 04. A zone combo lift kit...it will be an interesting feat for me.

quadricycle

saxdogg said:

Thanks for the info all! I hadn't seen this catalog before......I'm about to dig into installing my first mod on my all stock 04. A zone combo lift kit...it will be an interesting feat for me.

Good luck! Luckily, there's probably over a million online articles on lifting a Jeep; so you'll be able to research it if you get hung up or are unsure about anything.

darthbimmer

I don't own my old Jeep anymore but I would still love to read about the process and difficulty of doing an axle swap oneself!

gifters1

Been a while since a Ram update... are you going to replace this truck with a Titan XD? that would be trick, then replace your Colorado with a Diesel Canyon....