Topic: regear both the front AND back?

[absplatty]

okay, ive been perusing the forum and searching for a few hours...im bored ok? but anyways, ive come to find that my 91 5speed YJ has a d30 up front and a d35 in back, with 4.10's....i think im right so far,
ive got a 3"body lift and 31 inch tires, looking to go to a 4" susp lift 1" body lift, and 33" or 34" tires, and i realize that regearing is probably needed.
so heres the question...do i have to regear the front AND back axles?
or can i just do the back with something like:
RPD35B  Dana 35 Ring & Pinion Set (4.88 ) (from rustys offroad: https://rustysoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=rustys&Category_Code=RIN)
thats just an example, i saw that it was only $159.99 and thought 'hey cool that might not be so bad!'
labor costs arent an issue as my mechanic buddy and i will be doing it ourselves.
i think thats all i can think of right now, so any input is GREATLY appreciated!!!
thanks!

[wrangler387]

If you want to use 4wd you will need to do both front and rear  :wink:
If you are wanting to run 33" or 34" tires i'd do an axle swap before investing money into the rear.

[Jeffy]

First things is you'll have to do both ends, like wrangler387 said.  Secondly, there's a lot more that needs to be done then just buy gears.  You will need a master install kit then you'll need someone to install them.  Since you're asking pretty basic questions, I'll assume that you won't be installing them yourself.  Expect to pay anywhere from $200-400 for the install.

[absplatty]

thanks for the help guys, yeah i started looking more after that post and found 4.88 kits that had the gears for the D30 and D35 and the 'rebuild kit' which i take to be the master install kit.
youre right about me not installing them myself, im going to 'assist' meaning ill pretty much watch, a friend of mine who does this sort of thing all the time.
im not doing any hardcore wheeling anytime soon, but should i try to find myself a D44 for the back instead of regearing the D35?

oh! one more thing, i read somewhere that you cant use a transfer case drop with a 3" body lift...is this true? cuz thatll be the nail in the coffin for the 3" body lift then haha.

sorry for the long post, but its nice to finally find a forum where there are more people with my same ride :-D
thanks guys.

[Jeffy]

Well, I wouldn't recommend doing a body lift over 2" and even that's pushing it a bit.  Think of it this way.  You've raised the body 3" higher then the frame.  The shifters are now 3" lower then they used to be.  Your transfer case shifter is only around 5" or so.  Lower the transfer case and you'll need to lengthen the shifters.  This not only changes the shifters but looks bad over all.  But then why would you need to add a transfer case shims if you only have a body lift?

Here's what I'd do.  If you're body mounts are ok, take your 3" body lift and cut it down.  You could either make a 1" and a 2" or two 1.5".  Or if you want to be cheap make 3 1".  Use one set and sell off the rest.  You'll need new bolts but that's not a big deal.  Or else sell the body lift complete and buy a 1" daystar to replace all of the mounts if your old mounts aren't in good shape.

[absplatty]

BRILLIANT!
the mounts are all in good shape, ive checked them out, i never thought of cutting the body lift down.
sweet advice man, thanks a ton!!!

i was asking about the t-case drop because im shopping around for a 4" suspension lift, and most of them include the T-case drop. i know that the 3" body lift isnt the safest idea ever, and sometimes my gears are hard to get to, which sucks, but thats what the guy who i bought it from's idea of a solid idea was. he also siliconed the hard top on, which has to be...'fixed' and soon since its gettin warm.

and...

do you think a regearing my d35 will cut it? or should i go find myself a d44 for better long run reliability?...i looked through your writeup about the d35s, and i gotta say that those pics scared me :shock: ...not my idea of a good time.

[joe-joe]

I currently run a Dana 35 with 4.88 gears and a detroit truetrac in it. I am running 33 inch tires and have not broken anything. I should also mention I have the "hardened" Yukon 27 spline axles in there too (only $80 each). If I had to do it again, I probably would have just found a dana 44 for piece of mind but my Dana 35 seems to be holding up quite well. I have 5 wheeling trips on it and no problems! I would say if you are going to stick to 33's or less you should be ok as long as you go easy on the skinny pedal.

my .02

[wrangler387]

How much money and time do you have? If i were you since you are going to be pulling the carrier out to regear, i'd get yourself a locker along with a gear install. And i would definately change the axle or get the super35 kit if you go locker route (a 4" suspension lift plus a body lift will get your 35" tires with some TJ flares).

[absplatty]

eh, time is gonna be in excess once classes get over and exams are done next wednesday. but im in college so yeah the $$$ is tight lol. ive got enough set aside for new tires to replace my worn down 31s (probably 29s now) haha and for the 4" lift, i was just looking for a way to fix up the powerband since i already have a hard enough time on the freeway maintaing 60mph. you guys have been a ton of help, i think im going to pop for the 4.88 front and rear gear kits right now and stick with the D35. ill look into the hardened axle shafts, cuz $80 a piece isnt bad...youre talking just the rear right?
hopefully i have the cheese to pick up a locker too, that would be a nice addition...
i do realize that i have invested in a money pit, but im alright with it...checks dig it
the super35 looks to be about $800...so maybe later on, but for that price it seems like itd be easier to find a D44

[wrangler387]

but im alright with it...checks dig it
the super35 looks to be about $800...so maybe later on, but for that price it seems like itd be easier to find a D44

Haha, i think you meant chicks, but paychecks definately dig it too  :wink:

The super35 is not the best solution for most people. If you can find a used set-up for a good deal it wouldn't be a bad idea, that is what i meant. If you are not upgrading axles don't lock the dana35. Just lock the dana30    I'd keep an eye out for a dana 44 to build while you cruise around on the dana35

[absplatty]

lol, yeah i guess i did mean chicks, but i know the paychecks are gonna dig it too.
okay i'll heed the advice, sounds great thanks for all the help!

[wrangler387]

no problem, good luck with everything  :D