Topic: gears and lockers

[jackhammer]

AS you probebly know from my previos threads, I have a 95 YJ 4bang auto.  Purpose of my jeep will be daily driver, medium duty snow plow, medium duty wheeler.
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 I am fairly certain that I am going to run 31x10.5s.  Do you think 4.10 gearing will work best for my multitasking rig?
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 I am also considering a locker at least for the rear.  It will help keep my 4squirrels on the ground when pushing in slick condition and couldnt hurt when wheeling.  How bad will this be on pavement during regular driving conditions.  What are my options as far as lockers go?  Disengagable would be nice but those Ox lockers I saw seem awfully expensive.
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Thanks I value your input,  Just trying to brain storm this out before I start tearing stuff up.

[Jeffy]

I never had problems with driving a stock Jeep on 31's, but then again, I was used to driving a stock Jeep on 32's.  (I still used 5th occasionally, too.)  If you're going to 31's, I probably would not do gears.  You'd be looking at $800-1500 for the install.  If it's not going to be wheeled haed then it won't really be worth it. (more on that alter.)  Although you could go to 4.56's and scream.  I'd imagine, you might loose some top end but it would be peppy.

If you want a locker and don't plan on upgrading axles then I'd go with a manual locker.  OX, ARB, Eaton, Tractech.  They all make nice lockers.  I wouldn't really recommend these lockers to someone who's still in the process of building, and who might end up swapping axles though.  If you're going to have someone install the locker then you'll be paying for about the same amount of labor it takes to do gears on that axle.  Basically, when you get gears done, if you want lockers they will install them not no additional labor cost because the carriers have to come out anyway.

[BlackYJ]

I ran 31s and an ARB in my 95 YJ for a couple years and I loved the setup.  31s and 4.10s gears on the highway are pretty decent in terms of the 4 banger and I can still use 5th gear.

[jackhammer]

I have the 3 speed auto.  Some people have advised me that my current 3.73 will be able to turn the 31s decently.  However, snow plowing trashes automatics, especially when people add bigger tires without regearing. Jeep does not recommend plowing w/the 4cyl auto but they do w/the manual.  The obvious thing to me would be the gearing difference. I am sure 4.56 would be insane but how would an automatic handle it?  Lockers would be nice in the rear when pushing snow but if I was to get 4.56 would it be even more neccesary or less? For example would my tires spin to one loose wheel more less or same under the diff. gearing. nI am under the impression that 4.10 would be easier to find in salvage yards or used parts then 4.56.  I know a few different mechanics that are much cheaper then standard.  One I trust well is a retired auto rebuilder professor.  Helped me out in pinches in the past.  If I am to add lockers I understand I need to decide before I regear since they all go in same spot.  No sence cracking the diff twice.  Thanks for the brand names I will have to check on those prices.

[Jeffy]

I have the 3 speed auto.  Some people have advised me that my current 3.73 will be able to turn the 31s decently.  However, snow plowing trashes automatics, especially when people add bigger tires without regearing. Jeep does not recommend plowing w/the 4cyl auto but they do w/the manual.  The obvious thing to me would be the gearing difference. I am sure 4.56 would be insane but how would an automatic handle it?  Lockers would be nice in the rear when pushing snow but if I was to get 4.56 would it be even more neccesary or less? For example would my tires spin to one loose wheel more less or same under the diff. gearing. nI am under the impression that 4.10 would be easier to find in salvage yards or used parts then 4.56.  I know a few different mechanics that are much cheaper then standard.  One I trust well is a retired auto rebuilder professor.  Helped me out in pinches in the past.  If I am to add lockers I understand I need to decide before I regear since they all go in same spot.  No sence cracking the diff twice.  Thanks for the brand names I will have to check on those prices.

For an Auto, you want to go one gear set higher then you sould with a manual.

http://www.4bangerjp.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=173

[jackhammer]

Just to make sure I'm an idiot:
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31"tires 4.56 MANUAL 4.10 auto
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That answers one part of the question.  the second part would be b/c of plowing and the fact jeep does not recommend plowing with the 3.73auto. But does with 4.10 manuel. Going to 31 and 4.10 and that being the recommended ratio for an auto would I have to go 4.56 like a manuel with 31s for plowng.  Am I making sense? If I was to stay on stock tires and go to 4.10 I would be matching the gears on recommended plow  manual jeep. Since I am trying to match the gearing of a manual with equal 31s will I have to go 4.56 or will the 4.10 match for tires and plowing. Am I just over thinking this.  It is just important that I make it as easy on the transmission as possible by gearing this right and I dont go through a transmission evry snow season. Thanks

[callenst]

Should be super easy to find axles with 4.11 in them already, it would save you a ton of money versus getting and axle r&p install.  I have been searching around for a month or so now looking for axles and I run across d30/35' for a YJ with 4.11's in them all the time.  They would bolt right in and save $$$  You could then put in a lunch box style locker for cheap.   Easy install.  Loc rite or powertrax are common cheap lockers.

[Jeffy]

Problem with a cheap locker is that he's wanting to plow snow.    At higher speeds, the lunchbox locker could be a bit unpredictable.  A pair of LSD's would be a good choice though, cost more.