Yukon Gear Ring & Pinion Gear Set For Dana 44 in Jeep JL Rubicon 220mm in 4.11 Ratio

The Yukon YG D44JL-411 is a 4.11 ring and pinion for the rear Dana 44 (Dana calls it the M220, for its 220 mm ring gear) under the 2018-and-newer Jeep Wrangler JL and the Gladiator JT. It is the part to look at when a JL Rubicon or Sahara rear axle starts whining at highway speed, when a damaged gear set needs replacing at a stock-like ratio, or when you are building a matched front and rear 4.11 setup for moderately larger tires.

What the ring and pinion does in the JL Dana 44 rear

The rear pinion takes power from the driveshaft and turns the 220 mm ring gear, which spins the carrier and axle shafts. The tooth count sets the final drive: at 4.11 the pinion makes 4.11 turns for each wheel turn. That ratio decides where the 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual sits in its rpm band at cruise and how hard the Jeep pulls off the line. This rear set uses a 28-spline pinion, which is how Yukon identifies the M220 rear and keeps it apart from the 210 mm front Dana 44 used under Rubicons.

Symptoms

• Rear whine around 40-70 mph that gets louder on throttle or on decel
• Rough or growling noise from the pinion area, often worn pinion bearings that have damaged the gear faces
• A chipped or cracked tooth after a hard landing or wheel hop on rocks
• Gear oil seeping at the pinion seal, which starves the bearings and gear contact patch
• Sluggish acceleration and frequent downshifts after a tire size increase on the original gearing

How to confirm before you buy

Check the axle tag or the stamping on the ring gear to read the current ratio, and confirm you have the Dana 44 rear rather than the Dana 35 used under some base models. Our axle ratio and axle code guide shows where to look. If you are changing ratios for tires, run the numbers in our regear after bigger tires guide first, and remember the front axle must be changed to the identical ratio.

Fitment

Yukon's fitment table lists this set for the Dana 44 / M220 rear in 2018-2023 Wrangler JL Rubicon, 2018-2022 Unlimited Rubicon and Unlimited Sahara, the 2024 Wrangler Rubicon, and 2020-2023 Gladiator Launch Edition, Overland, Rubicon, Sport and Sport S, plus 2024 Gladiator Rubicon, Sport and Sport S. It is a rear-axle part only. The front Dana 44 on a Rubicon or Gladiator Rubicon (210 mm) and the Dana 30 front on other trims need their own matching 4.11 sets. For the front of a Rubicon, the Revolution JL/JT Dana 44 front master install kit handles the bearings once you have a matching set. Builders going to 37 in. tires often skip ahead to a deeper ratio such as the JL Rubicon/JT 4.56 front and rear gear package. Because JL and JT trims mixed axle options, check the axle tag or send us your year and VIN.

Install notes

• Yukon's setup chart for the D44 JL rear (220 mm) lists a 0.045 in. factory pinion shim, 12-19 in-lb of preload on new pinion bearings, 110 ft-lb ring gear bolts and 70 ft-lb bearing caps.
• Install new bearings, races and a fresh pinion seal. The Yukon JL Dana 44 rear pinion install kit covers the pinion side, and the Revolution JL/JT Dana 44 rear master install kit adds carrier bearings and shims.
• Rubicon rears use an electric locker; unplug and support the locker wiring and avoid damaging the harness when the carrier comes out. Our JL locker actuator guide covers what to check while it is apart.
• Fill with 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil, avoid towing for the first 500 miles, and change the oil at 500 miles per Yukon's break-in instructions.

After a ratio change, the vehicle's tire size and axle ratio settings should be updated with a scan tool so the speedometer and shift points stay correct.

Is this for the front or rear axle of my JL Rubicon?

Rear only. It fits the 220 mm (M220) Dana 44 rear with a 28-spline pinion. The Rubicon front Dana 44 is a 210 mm axle and needs a separate front set in the same ratio.

Does it fit a Gladiator?

Yes. Yukon lists 2020-2023 Gladiator Launch Edition, Overland, Rubicon, Sport and Sport S rear axles, plus 2024 Rubicon, Sport and Sport S.

Will it fit a non-Rubicon JL with the Dana 35 rear?

No. The Dana 35 (200 mm) rear uses different gears. This set is only for the Dana 44 / M220 rear, which Yukon lists for Rubicon and Sahara models.

What should I replace along with the gears?

Pinion and carrier bearings, races, the pinion seal, crush sleeve or shims, and ring gear bolts. A JL rear master install kit or pinion install kit covers these parts.

Do I need to recalibrate anything after installing new gears?

If the ratio or tire size changed, update the axle ratio and tire size with a scan tool so the speedometer, odometer and transmission shift points are correct.