Revolution Gear & Axle 07-18 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon Dana 44 Rear Ring & Pinion Master...

Going to 35 or 37 inch tires on a 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon means new gears in both axles, and the rear Dana 44 takes the most abuse because it is driving the Jeep every mile. If your Rubicon has a whine from the back that changes between throttle and coast, or you are about to regear, the Revolution Gear and Axle 35-2052 is the Timken-bearing master install kit built for the JK Rubicon rear Dana 44.

What the master install kit does in a JK Rubicon rear Dana 44

Every JK has a Dana 44 in the rear, but the Rubicon version carries the factory selectable locker and 32-spline axle shafts, and Revolution sells a separate kit for the non-Rubicon rear. In the housing, the pinion runs on two tapered bearings with a crush sleeve setting preload, and a shim under the inner pinion bearing sets how deep the pinion meshes with the ring gear. The locker carrier rides on two side bearings, with shims behind them setting backlash and carrier preload. Revolution lists 35-2052 with Timken pinion and carrier bearings, pinion seal, crush sleeve, pinion shims, carrier shims, ring gear bolts and cover gasket or silicone. Axle seals are not included.

Symptoms that point to the rear bearings or a regear

• A rear whine that is louder on acceleration or on coast, or that starts at a certain speed and fades past it
• A low growl that follows road speed, typical of a worn pinion or carrier bearing
• Play at the pinion yoke or a pinion seal that keeps leaking
• Constant downshifting and a sleepy throttle after moving up from stock tires on the factory gears
• Any rear gear swap or locker service, where old bearings and shims should not go back in

How to confirm before ordering

Make sure it is a Rubicon axle: the rear locker switch, the Rubicon axle tag and 32-spline shafts all tell you. A Sport or Sahara JK rear is also a Dana 44 but takes a different kit, so do not go by the axle name alone. Check the yoke for play, drain the oil and look for glitter, and note the original ratio on the tag. Our differential whine diagnosis guide helps separate gear noise from bearing noise, and the JK regear kit buyer's guide covers what each JK axle needs.

Fitment

Revolution lists 35-2052 for the 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK Rubicon with the Dana 44 rear axle. It is not for the JK non-Rubicon rear, the JK Rubicon front, or the 2018-up JL and Gladiator JT axles. If the Jeep has had an axle swap or you are unsure of the trim, send us the year and VIN. For the front of the same Rubicon, the matching JK Rubicon front Dana 44 master install kit covers the other axle, and more parts are in our rebuild kits category.

Install notes

Pick the ratio first: the Revolution JK rear 4.56 ring and pinion is the common 33 to 35 inch tire choice, and the JK rear 5.13 set suits 37s and heavy builds. Revolution sells its JK rear gears for the 3.92-and-up carrier, which is the side a factory Rubicon locker already sits on, so deeper gears bolt to your existing locker. Revolution's D44JK setup chart lists a 0.042 inch starting pinion shim, 22-35 in-lb pinion bearing preload with new bearings, 0.006-0.010 inch backlash, 75 or 135 ft-lb ring gear bolts depending on bolt size, and 80 ft-lb bearing caps. Replace the JK Rubicon rear pinion seal if you need a spare, and plan on new axle seals since they are not in this kit. Read the pattern using our backlash and pinion depth guide, fill with 75W-90 gear oil, and follow the break-in procedure. Reprogram the tire size and axle ratio afterward so the speedometer and shift points stay correct.

Does 35-2052 fit a JK Sport or Sahara rear axle?

No. Non-Rubicon JKs also have a Dana 44 rear, but Revolution sells a separate install kit for it. 35-2052 is for the JK Rubicon rear.

What is in the Revolution 35-2052 kit?

Revolution lists Timken pinion and carrier bearings, pinion seal, crush sleeve, pinion shims, carrier shims, ring gear bolts and cover gasket or silicone. Axle seals are not included.

Do I need a new carrier to run 4.56 or deeper gears?

Usually not on a Rubicon. Revolution's JK rear gears are made for the 3.92-and-up carrier, which is where the factory Rubicon locker sits. Check the ratio on your axle tag to confirm.

What gear oil does the JK Rubicon rear take?

75W-90 gear oil. Change it early after the break-in miles to flush out wear material from the new gears.

Should I regear the front at the same time?

Yes. Both axles must run the same ratio, and the Rubicon front Dana 44 takes its own master install kit.

Does this kit fit a 2018 or newer JL Rubicon?

No. The JL and Gladiator JT use different Dana 44 axles with their own kits. This one is for the 2007-2018 JK Rubicon rear.