Yukon Gear Grizzly Locker / Fits Non-Rubicon JK Dana 44 / 30 Spline
A Sport, Sahara or Willys Wrangler JK has the same Dana 44 rear housing size as a Rubicon but leaves the factory with an open or Trac-Lok carrier and no locker. On a rock step or a muddy climb that means one rear tire spins and the Jeep stops. The YGLD44-3-30-JK is Yukon's Grizzly Locker built for that non-Rubicon JK rear Dana 44 with its 30-spline axle shafts. It is a full carrier replacement that locks both rear wheels together automatically whenever you are on the throttle, with no compressor, switch or wiring to add.
The stock open carrier sends equal torque to each side, so the instant one tire lifts or hits slick rock, the other gets nothing useful. A Trac-Lok helps only until its clutches wear. The Grizzly replaces the spider gears with two toothed clutch rings that keep both 30-spline shafts turning together on power and on coast. When the JK turns, the outside wheel ratchets its ring out of mesh and overruns, then re-engages once the turn straightens. Yukon specifies 8620 steel internals, a patented tooth form with a larger radius at the base of the inner clutch teeth rated at up to 350 percent stronger than back-cut designs, and US assembly. That combination is what keeps it alive with 35- and 37-inch tires, where the stock rear carrier is often the first thing to let go.
Check the axle: non-Rubicon JKs use a 30-spline rear Dana 44, while Rubicons use 32-spline shafts and a factory selectable locker, and this unit will not fit a Rubicon. Next, check the transmission. The Grizzly case is drilled for 1/2 inch ring gear bolts, and retail fitment for this part excludes 2012-2018 JKs with the automatic transmission. On those Jeeps choose a different locker or confirm the ring gear bolt size first. Our JK regear kit guide explains the Dana 30 front and Dana 44 rear split and the gear choices for larger tires, and the Dana 44 axle problems guide covers bearing and seal wear worth fixing in the same job.
Listed fitment: 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK and JK Unlimited, non-Rubicon, rear Dana 44 with 30-spline axles, all gear ratios. Exclusion: 2012-2018 JK models with an automatic transmission. Manual-transmission JKs are covered across 2007-2018, and 2007-2011 JKs are covered with either transmission. If someone has swapped in aftermarket shafts with a different spline count, this carrier is not the right one. Send us your year, VIN and transmission and we will confirm before it ships. Related JK carriers are in the hard parts category. If you prefer a switchable rear, read ELocker vs Grizzly Locker.
The JK rear uses C-clip retained shafts: pull the cover, remove the cross shaft, push the shafts in, remove the clips and slide the shafts out to clear the carrier. Carrier preload is set with shims, so take careful note of the stack. Move the ring gear onto the Grizzly with new 1/2 inch bolts and press on new carrier bearings. The Yukon Dana 44 carrier installation kit covers the carrier bearings and shims, and the Timken JK rear master bearing kit adds the pinion bearings and crush sleeve when you regear. Going to bigger tires? The non-Rubicon JK 4.88 gear package pairs with this locker. Set backlash, check the pattern, and fill with 75W-90 or 75W-140 GL-5 gear oil without friction modifier, since the Grizzly has no clutch plates. Expect some clicking in tight turns on pavement.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YGLD44-3-30-JK |
| Fits | Yukon Gear Grizzly Locker / Fits Non-Rubicon JK Dana 44 / 30 Spline |
| 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.
No. Retail fitment for the YGLD44-3-30-JK excludes 2012-2018 JKs with an automatic transmission, because the case is drilled for 1/2 inch ring gear bolts. A 2015 manual Sport is covered.
No. Rubicon JKs use 32-spline rear shafts and a factory selectable locker. This unit is only for the non-Rubicon 30-spline rear Dana 44.
No. It works with all gear ratios and your ring gear moves over to the new case. Many owners regear at the same time for larger tires because the carrier is already out.
A GL-5 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil. Because the Grizzly is a toothed mechanical locker, friction modifier is not needed, even if your old Trac-Lok used it.
No. This part is for the rear Dana 44 only. The JK front axle on non-Rubicon models is a Dana 30 and needs its own carrier.
