Yukon Gear Ring & Pinion Gear Set For Front Dana 44/210MM in Jeep JL Rubicon 220mm in 4.88 Ratio
The Yukon YG D44JL-488R is a 4.88 ring and pinion for the front axle of a Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon or Gladiator JT with the Dana 44 / M210 front, the 210 mm ring gear axle. Owners shop for it after moving to 35, 37 or 40 inch tires, when the 3.6L or 2.0L turbo feels flat, the 8-speed hunts between gears on the highway, and crawl ratio suffers. The front set has to match the rear, so this page is the front half of a 4.88 regear; the rear M220 takes its own set.
The JL Rubicon front is a high-pinion axle, so its gears are cut in reverse rotation: the pinion sits above the axle centerline, and the teeth are cut so the strong drive side still carries the load when the Jeep moves forward. That is why a standard-rotation Dana 44 set cannot be used here. Yukon specifies this set as a reverse rotation Dana 44 / M210 with a 28 spline pinion. Because the ring gear is 210 mm and the rear M220 is 220 mm, the front and rear sets are different part numbers even though both are called Dana 44. Running 4.88 front and rear keeps both axles turning at the same speed in four-wheel drive; mixing ratios will bind the driveline and damage the transfer case.
Make sure your front axle is the Dana 44 / M210 and not the Dana 30 used under most Sport and Sahara models. Our Dana 30 vs Dana 44 front axle guide shows how to tell them apart, and the Dana 44 problems and rebuild cost guide covers the JL front and rear. Read the current ratio from the axle tag or ring gear, or follow how to find your axle ratio. If the front locker is acting up at the same time, check the JL locker actuator guide before the axle is apart.
Yukon lists this set for the 2018 to 2024 Jeep Wrangler JL with the Dana 44 / M210 front and the 2020 to 2024 Jeep Gladiator JT with the Dana 44 / M210 front, reverse rotation, 4.88 ratio, 28 spline pinion. It does not fit the Dana 30 front, the older JK Rubicon front, or any rear axle. Match the axle tag and pinion spline, and if you are unsure, send us your year and VIN. For the rear, pair it with the Yukon 4.88 JL rear M220 set, or browse the hard parts catalog for other ratios.
Yukon's setup chart for the D44 JL front (210 mm) lists a 0.045 inch baseline pinion depth shim, 14 to 26 in-lb pinion bearing preload on new bearings (8 to 12 used), backlash of 0.006 to 0.011 inch on 5-cut gears or 0.004 to 0.007 inch on 2-cut gears, 110 ft-lb on the ring gear bolts and 70 ft-lb on the bearing caps. Pinion depth and carrier preload are shimmed, so plan on new bearings: the Yukon JL Dana 44 210 mm front master kit includes the bearings, races, seals and shims, and a Dana 44 carrier shim driver saves the shims from damage. Use 75W-90 or 75W-140 gear oil, and break the gears in per the ring and pinion break-in procedure with an oil change at 500 miles. After a ratio change, the axle ratio must be updated in the Jeep's computer so the speedometer, shift points and stability systems read correctly.
| Brand | Yukon Gear & Axle |
| Part number | YG D44JL-488R |
| Fits | Yukon Gear Ring & Pinion Gear Set For Front Dana 44/210MM in Jeep JL Rubicon 220mm in 4.88 Ratio |
| Type | Final Drive Gears |
| 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.
Front only. It is the reverse rotation Dana 44 / M210 front set with a 210 mm ring gear and 28 spline pinion. The JL rear is a 220 mm M220 and needs its own 4.88 set.
Only if the Jeep has the Dana 44 / M210 front. Most Sport and Sahara models use a Dana 30 front, which takes different gears. Check the axle tag or send us your VIN.
Yes. Front and rear must be the same ratio so the axles turn together in four-wheel drive. Mixed ratios bind the driveline and can damage the transfer case and axles.
A master install or rebuild kit with pinion and carrier bearings, races, seal, shims and crush sleeve. New ring gear bolts are good practice. The factory front locker is normally reused.
Break the gears in gently, avoid towing for 500 miles, change the gear oil at 500 miles, and have the new axle ratio programmed into the vehicle so the speedometer and transmission shift schedule are correct.
