Yukon Gear Dura Grip For Dana 44 / 30 Spline / 3.73 & Down
Most Dana 44 axles still on their factory gears, from a Jeep JK Sport or TJ rear to a Cherokee XJ, Scout II, early Bronco or Chevy K10 front, run a ratio of 3.73 or lower and an open carrier that sends power to whichever tire has the least grip. The Yukon Dura Grip YDGD44-3-30-1 is a clutch-type positraction for the 30-spline Dana 44 in the 3.73-and-down carrier series. It drops in where the open carrier or worn Trac-Lok was, keeps your existing ring and pinion, and makes the axle pull with both tires in snow, mud and on loose climbs.
The Dana 44 uses two carrier heights. Low numerical ratios such as 3.08, 3.31, 3.54 and 3.73 have a thinner pinion and the ring gear mounts in one position; 3.92 and deeper move the ring gear, so the carrier changes. This unit is the low series, and Yukon notes it also accepts thick deep-ratio gear sets that are made to bolt to a 3.73-down carrier. Inside a nodular iron case, composite clutch packs sit behind the side gears. Spring preload and gear separating force clamp those clutches so both 30-spline shafts are tied to the case and torque keeps going to the tire with traction, while the clutches slip enough in a turn for the outside wheel to run faster. The spider gears are forged 4320 chromoly, and the whole carrier is rebuildable when the clutches eventually wear. It is assembled in the USA.
Read the tooth count on the ring gear and divide (41/11 is 3.73), or check the axle tag. If the result is 3.92 or higher on standard-thickness gears, you need the Dura Grip 3.92 and up instead. Count the shaft splines: this unit is for 30-spline shafts only. Planning a re-gear soon? Buy the carrier for the ratio you are going to, not the one you have; our carrier break guide explains why. The open vs limited slip vs locker guide helps decide whether a clutch posi fits the way you drive.
Yukon's application chart for this part includes the 2007-2017 Jeep Wrangler JK non-Rubicon rear, the 1997-2006 Wrangler TJ rear, the 1986-1993 Cherokee rear, Comanche, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, J10 and CJ5/CJ6 rears, International Scout 800 and Scout II, 1971-1977 Ford Bronco fronts, 1980-1996 Bronco and F-150 Dana 44 TTB fronts, 1966-1979 Ford F-100/F-150 front and rear applications, 1994-2001 Dodge Ram 1500 and 1994-2002 Ram 2500 fronts, Ramcharger and W-series fronts, 1960s-1980 Chevrolet and GMC K-series fronts and the 1993-1997 Isuzu Rodeo rear. A factory TJ Rubicon is geared 4.10, so it needs the 3.92-up unit unless it runs thick gears. Front axles come in standard and reverse rotation and spline counts vary by year, so match your tag, ratio and splines, or send us the year and VIN and we will confirm. Browse other traction options in hard parts.
Remove the shafts, mark the bearing caps, and lift the old carrier out. Move the ring gear over with new bolts; the case is drilled for 7/16 and 1/2 in. bolts, and Yukon says 3/8 in. bolt gear sets need its YSPBLT-027 kit. Press on new carrier bearings from the Yukon Dana 44 carrier installation kit, set backlash to 0.006-0.011 in. per the Yukon chart, torque the caps and check the contact pattern. Fill with high-grade non-synthetic GL-5 gear oil plus Yukon limited slip additive; Yukon warns synthetic oil can make the unit noisy or aggressive. Our friction modifier guide covers dosing. If a front-axle Jeep needs a selectable option instead, the ELocker4 for a 3.73-down Dana 44 front is the same carrier series.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YDGD44-3-30-1 |
| Fits | Yukon Gear Dura Grip For Dana 44 / 30 Spline / 3.73 & Down |
| Type | Differentials |
| Condition | New |
| Ships | Same business day (in stock), from the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
Yes, if it is a non-Rubicon JK with the factory 30-spline Dana 44 rear and 3.73 or lower gears. Yukon lists the 2007-2017 non-Rubicon JK rear. If it has been re-geared to 4.10 or deeper on standard gears, order the 3.92-and-up version.
Some deep ratios are sold as thick ring gears made to mount on the low-series carrier. Those bolt to this unit. Standard-thickness 3.92-and-up gears do not, and need the high-series carrier.
Yes. Yukon lists many Dana 44 front applications. A limited slip in the front can make steering feel heavier in four-wheel drive, which is normal.
No. This carrier is for 30-spline axle shafts. The JK Rubicon and later Dana 44 rears with 32-spline shafts need a different unit.
Yukon recommends high-grade non-synthetic GL-5 gear oil with Yukon limited slip additive. It states synthetic oil is not recommended and may cause aggressive or noisy operation.
New carrier bearings and shims from a Dana 44 carrier installation kit, new ring gear bolts, and an axle seal kit if the shafts are already out.