The Rock Ballerina: Jeep Wrangler JL on 40s and STOCK AXLES (2 years later)| Inside Line

It’s been two years since we first met up with Offroad Power Products’ Cooper Rasmussen and his 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon JL. As someone known for pushing his rigs to the limits, it was surprising to see his 2.0L Wrangler sporting 40-inch-tall Nitto Trail Grapplers on the stock axles. Even more surprising is how two years later, he is still making it work! On this Inside Line, our Senior Off-road Editor Ali Mansour finds out just how he’s managed to keep the Dana 44 axles in tact with such a large tire.
00:00 Intro
00:30 Upgraded JL Ball Joints
01:17 JL Steering Upgrades
02:00 JL SDI E-Click Shocks
02:41 JL Powertrain
03:07 Is this a good idea?
03:38 Gears and Lockers
03:43 RCV Performance Rubicon JL Axleshaft Upgrades
04:30 The key to making this work
05:39 40x13.50R17 Nitto Trail Grapplers on KMC Beadlocks
06:19 3-inch lift and 40s
06:39 Excessive Industries JL rock sliders & Skid Plate Upgrade
07:17 Fuel Economy on 40s
08:21 How to find out more
09:35 outro
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[@JeffHallPhotography]

2018 JLU, 40" Mickey Thompson on stock axles and still running strong after 85,000 miles. Been on the Rubicon, Fordyce, Moab, Moon Rocks and so many more!

[@DimplesChild401]

What did you regear to, or did you order yours factory with the higher gear ratio?

[@JeffHallPhotography]

@@DimplesChild401 still on stock gears

[@turboleggy]

Sick. No upgrades to the axles?

[@ghernandez6457]

This makes me feel safer about running 38s on my JLUR on 4.10s 😂😂

[@spencemad_4x427]

I like how this setup has forced him to be more methodical when wheeling

[@vitale6633]

"If I wanted Fuel Mileage, I'd a gotten a Prius" Thank YOU! Yes! It's about the Journey and Fun. I have a 1990 M923A2 6x6 that gets 8mpg and I smile every step of the way :)

[@stormw777]

I got 37s on my 2018 2.0 turbo which has 38000 miles of offloading and it has had zero problems.

[@DUNEATV]

Great video again by Ali! Great to know my 21 Rubicon is a pretty tough rig! 💪🏻

[@TheHitSquadOffroad]

I've been running 39x13.5r17 on my JT for about 4 months. My wheel setup is about 135lb per tire/wheel. I haven't done any internal upgrades in the axles besides a regear to 5.38s. I take it pretty easy on the trails especially when rock crawling. I'm not skinny pedaling through obstacles or over rocks. I'll upgrade the internals or overall axles in the future, but so far so good.

[@nickburns5571]

Blew up the rear on my 44 after two years. Came down hard on the rear driveshaft trying to get up a ledge. Just threw in some new gears and still need to get the driveshaft straightened. I will probably go another 2 years before building tons.

[@brianhayes7108]

I have 40s on stock 44s. Horseshoed the front axle at the dunes (also bent the lower control arm drivers side frame mount. Fun times.

[@reptilewizz]

Did you get air? I figure the dunes would be easyer on everything?

[@persicon_jl]

Ali Jon, great interview agha.

[@Mplonk13]

I have 26k miles on my 2020 Gladiator with 40's and stock axles. The axles have held up with no issues. Same fuel economy between 14-15 mpg depending on driving situations. I figure ill have to upgrade the axle shafts and ball joint eventually. But im in the same situation, Figure ill run it until i have a break and then order the needed upgrades to fix it.

[@donaldhalvorsen4135]

I get 14-15 in my ram 5500, and I weigh in at 18k, you must have a gasser

[@TonyGilliam]

5k miles on my Mojave on 40’s. Need gears, but wouldn’t change it for anything!

[@immelting9834]

Wj on 38's here and JL axles. Lighter vehicle than a Glad . Ive broken 3 axle shafts , 4 ball joints and put a nice smiley face by bending the housing. All within 11k miles . However, I'm in Tennessee so a dramatically different terrain . Going 14 bolt rear ( shaved) and a D60 front next month. Mpg with the JL axles was 14 city and 18 hwy with 4.56 gears.

[@jeffreid3341]

@@immelting9834 what's your driving style. Just asking to help me decide on my build. Thanks

[@nicklange6994]

Curious how this is going. I have 40’s now on stock axles. Wondering if you’ve had to buy new ones. And have you wheeled hard with it?

[@chrislarsen1033]

Great video brother. I want to go bigger with tires and this shows with care it can be done . Stay safe!

[@Ali_Mansour_Editor]

Thanks Chris! Hope you are doing well my friend.

[@letstravel4613]

The axles have held up with no issues. Same fuel economy between 14-15 mpg depending on driving situations.

[@mazencattan]

Are the tires rubbing when flexing?

[@wibornz]

I ran forties for a little bit. I Jeep travel a lot and pull a small camper. With 37s, I get between 12.5 and 16 mpg towing the camper. With the 40s, the best I could get pulling the camper was 8 mpg. That means that I did not have sufficient range when traveling out west. So back to the 37s I went.

[@reptilewizz]

Did you account for the mileage discrepancy between the bigger tire and rotations per mile.

[@wibornz]

@@reptilewizz I did adjust the Jeep computer for the tire size with a Tazer.

[@jimsather6892]

Were the cast knuckles covered by a TSB like the steering box? If so, do you have the TSB #?

[@DrivingLine]

No. These were purchased separately.

[@kp_patillo]

Ok so how are these axles stock. He says in the beginning around 1min in that he went with upgraded Dana's and then Dynatrac's in. Cast Iron knuckles as well. Wouldn't this be modified and not stock?

[@Ali_Mansour_Editor]

He’s referring to ball joints when he mentions Dana and Dynatrac. He had the aftermarket Dana ones that failed and he upgraded to the Dynatrac ball joints after those. These are still stock housing, with stock lockers and stock unit bearings. This was my follow up video. He was still on stock ball joints, knuckles, and axleshafts when I shot it originally. While he does have some quality aftermarket upgrades, these axles are way more on the stock side versus an aftermarket housing.

[@GentlemanJim]

And the actual axles are RCV. Nothing stock about upgrading everything in and around the axles…..

[@GentlemanJim]

@@Ali_Mansour_Editor RCV axles shafts are not stock.

[@bendmacmanufacturing2744]

I owned my 4xe since May guys and I love it 2880 miles no issue's no mods yet properly will limit mods due to it being a 36 mo lease !!!

[@KaptenInsano]

I have 4.88s and thinking on 40s, hoping it will be good enough. I already have upgraded axles in the works. Rcvs up front and chromoly in the rear.

[@DimplesChild401]

4.88 is definitely the sweet spot.

[@ghernandez6457]

Did you get 40s yet? I have 4.88s on 38s and I think it goes through gears too fast, I've hit 8th gear by 50mph I think 40s should be good enough. Same rcvs up front and chromolies in the rear. 3.6 2018 JLUR.

[@Joes-Adventures71]

So not stock axels?

[@spencemad_4x427]

Yeah that’s what I was thinking

[@Intentsrig]

How long did he run the aluminum knuckles? Mine never broke but the upper ball joint was wallowing out on 37's after about 3.5-4ish years. And can't believe he didn't truss it. Seems Speed is definitely what kills the fad part of the housing (snapping in half). Well, speed and smacking something large in the path of the tire or catching some air time.

[@DrivingLine]

I believe he had the stock aluminum knuckles on for less than a year.

[@Jeeps1]

SOOOOOOOOOOO stock 44 housings but nothing else stock????? that's what the title should say

[@DrivingLine]

The goal was to highlight the items he has upgraded to make the axles survive over the past two years. Hopefully, others that are trying to do the same can benefit from his experience.

[@spencemad_4x427]

@@DrivingLine and without having to spend $20k on axles

[@georgekarpouzis6108]

@@spencemad_4x427 yeah man so much damn money when including 8 lug wheels and driveshafts

[@jaycrane761]

He’s says he’s changed and up graded axels So how’s it rolling on stock?

[@DrivingLine]

The Jeep still has the stock Rubicon axles, they have just been upgraded with a few components. Over the past two years, he's upgraded the axleshafts, ball joints, gears, and knuckles.

[@jaycrane761]

@@DrivingLine to me that’s not stock but to each there own

[@0ffRoadEverything]

@@jaycrane761 its stock scenario for 2024 tho, they come with cast knuckles and cv axle im thinking about 40s

[@jcs5449]

Any one running 35s or bigger on a stock sport? And if you are how is it holding up?🤔

[@RubyRecon]

I have 35s with 2.5in lift on my 2021 sport s 2.0L and it’s held up great. I don’t do serious rock crawling but for my everyday commuter and weekend mild off-roader it’s been a blast. Definitely hit a few bumps and minor jumps I should t have but knock on wood haven’t broken anything.😅 I know he said we don’t get these vehicles for fuel efficiency but since I commute in mine it’s definitely been a consideration on why I haven’t gone to 37’s yet. Been averaging 18-19 mixed city/hwy.

[@stephenluebbers5282]

2018 jl with stock axles and 37" toyo mt. I have broken a rear axle shaft, rear locker, bent a chromo rear shaft, front wheel bearing, and ball joints have all failed in 35,000 miles. Imo anything over 35" when wheeling and you are on borrowed time.

[@jiovannypreciado3821]

Toyo Mt’s are bad ass but they are extremely heavy. Your 37 inch Toyo weighs more than my 40. Weight of the tire is a big factor on the health of an axle. If you want to try 37s again go with a lighter tire.

[@stephenluebbers5282]

@@jiovannypreciado3821 yeah I ditched the beadlocks and went with 37” maxis tires to cut about 50# a corner. It has been better since then.

[@cd2875]

Stop driving like a 15 year old. This is why you break shit. Ive had My JLUR in Moab, and I live in the east crawling on big slippery rocks since I bought it. 37's and stock axles. If you pick good lines and not try to bounce over everything, the D44's are superb axles. But...internet yahoos know everything. Best thing to happen for off road upgrade sales.

[@stephenluebbers5282]

The only time i broke driving ignorant was in the hot tub in Moab. There was 2' of water in it with a layer of oil and grease. The locker and axle broke on a small bump at a local park. @@cd2875

[@daviddepue6499]

The only thing left "stock" are the housings lol.

[@pointvillage16]

Nothing stock about that rig.

[@tf6796]

Grocery getter!!

[@EPYCMX]

Stock upgraded axles... Lol

[@laloolhouvum1634]

Spare tyre delete makes jeep looks like not a jeep. I, would never delete my spare tyre.

[@cd2875]

Never say never😉 I am looking for a way to keep 37 spare in the jeep and off the tail gate.

[@cd2875]

BULLSHIT...NOT stock axles. Stock HOUSING!!!! CLICKBAIT.