JT ecodiesel axle swap clarification

[vicsvx]

This is for informational purposes as I had a cruddy time finding information.

This weekend, I started to install my JT Rubicon axels onto my Sport S. I finished today and everything went really smooth... However, I did have some questions that were not answered when I searched Google, the forums or calling two different dealerships.

Front axle went in buttery smooth. But over Friday night, I looked online to see if there's any surprises or jeewiz info I needed to know about the rear end. A few videos and JL/JT forums threads say that the rear parking brake assy is bigger on the Rubicon than my sport, as well as rotors and calipers, so that got me worried. Mind you, this information wa about 3.6 variants and NOT the diesel. As I stated above, no info was found that could tell me if the Ecodiesels (rubi or not) had the same braking components as the rubi. I didn't want take it all apart to find out I need to buy more parts (I bought the axle second hand he reused the brakes). But I had no choice.

So for anyone planning on doing an ecodiesel rubicon axle swap into another ecodiesel, everything is plug and play. I had no issues with the install over all.

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[brsnow2585]

I think the big difference between any non Rubi or Mojave models is the dana 40 wide rear, the sports and rest get the standard standard width dana hips.

 

[Hootbro]

Dimensionally all the brake components across all models have been the same. The only variances has been different brake pad material on the Max Tow and some Mojave models having FNC coated rotors on the front. All build sheets will label them as "HD" brakes but there is no actual larger brake kit or dimensionally different brakes on the Gladiator.

 

[vicsvx]

Yes wide track axles are on rubi and Mojave, and my assumptions about the brakes were right, being dimensional the same size. But just wasn't sure because of info I seen online was saying otherwise (again JL gassers).

Now that the rubi axels are installed I did notice the rubicon knuckles are aluminum, axles are from a 2022. My axels I just removed have iron knuckles 2021).

Any definite answers to the material differences? I thought all ecodiesel were iron

 

[djthumper]

Sounds like you got axles from a gas Rubicon, that is the only ones that came with aluminum knuckles.

 

[rharr]

Just swap the cast iron from the old axles, pretty easy job.

EcoD got cast iron cause it is fat upfront and aluminum was determined not the right material.

 

[vicsvx]

Sounds like you got axles from a gas Rubicon, that is the only ones that came with aluminum knuckles.

Negative, the front axel I bought is from 22 rubicon ecodiesel

JL forum has discussed this a time or two but no diffinit answer on the reason why some ecodiesels have iron and others have aluminum


Gas rubicon axles have 4.10 gearing, diesels have 3.73

I'll probably do a swap to be safe but still curious

 

[Vtur]

I thought all diesel JT & JL gets the iron knuckles.

 

[vicsvx]

I thought all diesel JT & JL gets the iron knuckles.

Thats what I thought untill I installed the axle I bought

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/which-trim-has-steel-knucles.142469/page-3

 

[Vtur]

You might as well replace the ball joints if swapping knuckles.

 

[fourfa]

Possible COVID parts shortage frankenaxle build?

 

[djthumper]

Thats what I thought untill I installed the axle I bought

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/which-trim-has-steel-knucles.142469/page-3

That is really odd that they changed it. It must have been a COVID thing.

 

[rharr]

you are looking at a wrangler forum. Who knows what those guys have.
Pretty darn sure every eco d glad came with aluminum knuckles.

And all glads came with heavy wall axles again, wrangler stuff is different.

I believe one of the guys here has taken it upon himself to write a dissertation on JT axles.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...xle-retube-longside.99151/page-2#post-1590110

 

[vicsvx]

you are looking at a wrangler forum. Who knows what those guys have.
Pretty darn sure every eco d glad came with aluminum knuckles.

And all glads came with heavy wall axles again, wrangler stuff is different.

I believe one of the guys here has taken it upon himself to write a dissertation on JT axles.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...xle-retube-longside.99151/page-2#post-1590110

My 21 gladiator sport eco came with iron knuckles. The link I rovided a few post up shows many JLRD owners have iron and many have aluminum and ranging in years

 

[rharr]

My 21 gladiator sport eco came with iron knuckles. The link I rovided a few post up shows many JLRD owners have iron and many have aluminum and ranging in years

You missed the point, you are talking apples (JL) and trying to apply it to oranges (JT) 2 similar but different use cases.

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