Labor Cost for Swapping Rubicon Axles into Sahara?

Esq. · Jul 12, 2017

I'm trying to get a rough idea of reasonable labor costs for having two complete Rubicon JKU axles (brake calipers, rotors, unit bearings, steering stabilizer, etc. are already on the new axles) swapped into my Sahara JKU.

The front driveshaft would also get replaced with aftermarket, but all the aftermarket parts would already be on the new axles. I'd be handling the e-locker wiring myself. I've considered doing the complete swap myself, but not sure that's an option due to time constraints.

Based on my research, it seems like this should be a 10-12 hour job, and likely less for a couple of experienced Jeep guys in a shop with a lift and proper tools. What should I expect to pay for this work?

Esq. · Jul 13, 2017

Anyone?

Soggoth · Jul 13, 2017

I did the axles swap myself with some help from my wife, took me ~12 hours.

I assume that shop installation cost would be similar to the lift install - something in $800-$1000 range for the axles alone.

Esq. · Jul 13, 2017

Thanks. I'm thinking about knocking it out myself this weekend. Doesn't look like a difficult job.

phxchargerfan · Jul 13, 2017

I am going to do mine myself. Just need a free weekend to do it. Shouldn't be too bad

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hedgehog2JKU · Jul 14, 2017

took me about 1.5 hours to pull each axle from under my jeep when i did the regear.

if the axles are complete and assembled already, it should be super easy to do. cant see it taking more than 8 hours to do the swap if you have all the tools you need.

Soggoth · Jul 14, 2017

Here's how I did it: http://www.wranglerforum.com/f314/rubiconization-diy-axles-swap-1744922.html

Esq. · Jul 14, 2017

Soggoth said:
Here's how I did it: http://www.wranglerforum.com/f314/rubiconization-diy-axles-swap-1744922.html

I printed your tutorial out today! It's the primary reason I started to consider doing it myself. Great write-up! Pretty sure my axles are about as complete as yours were, so it should be a similar project.

Esq. · Jul 14, 2017

Hedgehog2JKU said:
took me about 1.5 hours to pull each axle from under my jeep when i did the regear.

if the axles are complete and assembled already, it should be super easy to do. cant see it taking more than 8 hours to do the swap if you have all the tools you need.

Agreed. I rolled under the Jeep earlier today. There's not much to it. I think the only challenge for me will be that I'm likely flying solo, so getting the axles into place may be a bit of a challenge.

phxchargerfan · Jul 14, 2017

Esq. said:
Agreed. I rolled under the Jeep earlier today. There's not much to it. I think the only challenge for me will be that I'm likely flying solo, so getting the axles into place may be a bit of a challenge.

Harbor Freight has a sale on those little wooden dollies. I picked them up.
I tested and they support the weight of the axle.

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-12-in-1000-lb-capacity-hardwood-dolly-63098.html

jac04 · Jul 14, 2017

Esq. said:
I think the only challenge for me will be that I'm likely flying solo, so getting the axles into place may be a bit of a challenge.

I swapped my axles by myself, and I found that moving the old axles out from under the jeep and the new axles into position was a PITA. The rear wasn't as difficult as the front (PR44 HD - man, that thing was heavy!) I had some swivel casters and a bunch of wood laying around, so I made up a dolly to move the axles around.

Deplorable · Jul 15, 2017

It's really a pretty easy job. I took my Rubicon axles out and replaced them with 60s in a little more than a day. Hardest part was getting the new axles lined up, but I accomplished that with the HR dollies and then lowered the Jeep to the axles, connected the control arms and lifted it all back up.

Fungun · Jul 15, 2017

phxchargerfan said:
Harbor Freight has a sale on those little wooden dollies. I picked them up.
I tested and they support the weight of the axle.

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-in-x-12-in-1000-lb-capacity-hardwood-dolly-63098.html

These are handy to have around the house/shop.

Esq. · Jul 17, 2017

Quick update. I knocked out the rear axle over the weekend. It was very straightforward with no real difficulties. I did it all by myself with a floor jack, four jack stands, and furniture dollies.

Total wrench time was probably around four hours give or take. I got interrupted with several honey dos and ended up painting my shocks and coils, so that all slowed progress. I plan to tackle the front end over a couple of nights this week.

Esq. · Jul 30, 2017

Just to put a bow on this thread, I finished the axle swap up over a few nights the last couple of weeks. Front axle took me a couple of nights - one to remove and another to replace. It was actually easier than the rear. After getting an alignment, all is running well. I have a slight drivetrain vibration around 55mph that I'm tracking down, but I think it's a driveshaft issue that should be a relatively easy fix.

Next step was to wire up the lockers. I ordered the Mopar harnesses for the locker actuators. They were around $75 shipped for the pair. For the indicators, I cut the factory plugs and spiced new wires onto them because I couldn't find reasonably priced plug options.

I ran everything to an Apollointech switch pod. One switch (Locker Power) powers the locker switches. Then I have two separate switches for the front and rear lockers. This should protect against an uninitentional locker engagement. Finally, I wired led indicator lights to the locker indicator harnesses to show when the lockers actually engage and disengage.

If anyone has any specific questions, feel free to pm me or comment here. All in all, this was a fun project and a good way to learn more about how your Jeep drivetrain operates. I would not hesitate to do it again.

Now with the money I saved on the axle install, it's time to move onto installing a new winch!

phxchargerfan · Jul 30, 2017

I just did the rear and most of the front in about six hours. So far it hasn't been too bad. I just need to install the steering, finished the front brakes, and attach the drag link. I was considering doing the lockers, but I am not even sure how to do those

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

phxchargerfan · Jul 30, 2017

Just finished my install. Wasn't really that hard at all. Only thing left is the steering stabilizer. Guy I had bought them from cut off the bracket for it. So I am going to see what a local shop recommends. I will say. These 5:13 gears have made a huge difference.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bigshot64 · Jul 31, 2017

Nice job. I gotta say I would probably have to pay someone to do this lol

kjeeper10 · Jul 31, 2017

phxchargerfan said:
Just finished my install. Wasn't really that hard at all. Only thing left is the steering stabilizer. Guy I had bought them from cut off the bracket for it. So I am going to see what a local shop recommends. I will say. These 5:13 gears have made a huge difference.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The stock axle bracket? Just get a inexpensive bracket that mounts to the track bar bracket. You dont want it hanging below the tie rod anyways.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Labor Cost for Swapping Rubicon Axles into Sahara?

Esq.

Esq.

Soggoth

Esq.

phxchargerfan

Hedgehog2JKU

Soggoth

Esq.

Esq.

phxchargerfan

jac04

Deplorable

Fungun

Esq.

Esq.

phxchargerfan

phxchargerfan

Bigshot64

kjeeper10

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities