Topic: worth the $$?

[lokitim]

I found a D44 high pinion rear axle with 4:56 gears & ARB locker, also a D30 front axle with high steer & 1 piece shaft & ARB locker - both set up for SOA -  for $1200.
1.Would this be worth getting?
2.The rear has an air leak inside, do you think this could be a minor fix or much more?
3. I already have a 4" suspension lift & 2" body lift - with these axles I would be up another 5", a lil tall?
4. I want to run 33's or 35's, will these gears work?

Thanks,
lokitim

[sharpxmen]

gears would be ok for 33, would work with 35 also but far from perfect (33 & 4.88 is back to factory ratio with a manual transmission, can't speak for an auto)

SOA with your 4'' i would think it's a bit too tall but i can't speak for it first hand so dunno the definite answer to that

$1200 for both it's a good deal considering that both have ARBs (given that the leak can be fixed).

[Jeffy]

What are the axles from?  Are they going to be bolt-on or are you going to have to do more work on them to get them to fit?  Typically, a high-pinion 44 is weaker then a standard 44 in the rear.  Although I have a friend who has been running one with 36's and lockers on trails like the Hammers for a while now.  I wouldn't run all that lift with SOA.  That's 11" of lift.  Unless you don't plan on going offroad or drive fast, then I guess you could mall cruise with them.  You'll want no more then 2.5" lift on the leafs and with that you don't need a body lift.

I think 33's would be a better choice and even then it's a bit on the high side (gearing).  Still it wouldn't be too bad though.  35's with 4.56's in manageable but you lose a lot of performance unless you use the power band to your advantage.  Even then you'll come up short on torque as your speed increases.  With 11" of lift, you'll probably be more limited by the sail-effect then the lack of torque at the wheels.  Also if you consider a stock 2.5L will normally have 205.75R15's stock (27"), then you would really need 5.08's to get back to stock.  Although the speedometer is usually 1MPH of as well.  With any additional weight, 5.13's should be used.

I'd say it's an OK to decent deal if you can fix it yourself.  Keep in mind if this isn't a coupler/bulkhead connector then you're going to have to pull the locker and check the O-rings.

[lokitim]

Yea, I wasn't keen on the 11" of lift, may go back to stock springs with SOA. Looking at the repair needed for the leak, see what's involved in that & decide from there.

thanks

[lokitim]

Oh, the rear is custom - didn't write name down - both are setup for YJ install.

[jfrabat]

I think the price is not THAT bad; the leak in the locker is most likely an O-Ring or something along those lines.  The gearing is not the best (even with 4.88 and 33's I constantly wish I could go to 5.13!), and I would most defenetly ditch the SOA (you just need to wel in new perches).

[lokitim]

I was thinking about just going back to SUA, but front had HighSteer setup - would that have to changed or good the way it is? Also, if/when I change gearing, the rear would work, but front wouldn't? (If i've read other threads correctly.)

[Jeffy]

High-steer doesn't care if it's SOA, SUA, Coil or Multi-link.  As long as you clear everything and the drag-link stays parallel it's fine.

As for gearing they will need to be close.  I believe it needs to be within 4%.  Or less then one gear set apart.  So if you have 4.10:1 stock, you cannot run 4.56:1 on one end and 4.10 on the other.  You can however run 4.10 with 4.08.

[lokitim]

Ok. Both have 4:56 now, would the d30 take 4:88 or 5:13?

[Jeffy]

Ok. Both have 4:56 now, would the d30 take 4:88 or 5:13?

The Dana 30 will limit you if it's a XJ/YJ/TJ.  (If it's a CJ then you can go to 5.13's)  The Dana 30 can take 4.88's.  The D44 should be able to take lower but I'm not 100% as that's a custom high pinion.

[lokitim]

Thanks for the info, a big help.