Author Topic: Opinion needed for a newbie  (Read 2689 times)

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4-stankertj

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Opinion needed for a newbie
« on: January 01, 2010, 10:37:57 AM »
I have a 98 TJ 2.5 auto. this year i installed a 3 inch suspension and 1 inch body/motor lift. For 2010, Im looking to put 33's  on and im trying to figure out what route should take for the front and rear diffs. Should i stick with the stock Dana 35c/30's (for clearance) and re-do the internals or go with a different setup? This is also a dd and the closest park ( The Cliffs) is about an hour away, badlands is about 2 hours away. Also thinking about at least one locker and if i go with only one locker, should it go in the front or back?  Suggestions or opinions wanted. :weee:

Offline jagular7

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2010, 07:21:27 PM »
Replace the rear axle with a D44 from another TJ or an 8.8 from a 95 to 01 Explorer. The TJ rear axle will be a bolt in, whereas the 8.8 will require some welding on of brackets. Another option is to modify your D35 with a Super35 kit. The kit includes locker, gears, axle shafts that are all designed to work with the tire size and stock D35 rear axle. In terms of cost, that all depends on availability in your area as well as time down for you to get the work done.
No matter what, with the larger tire size, you'll definately will need to bump your ratios down (high numerically) to gain the performance back. If you are going to open and set up new ratios, might as look and weigh out adding lockets. There are plenty of choices ranging from limited slips (more street than offroad), to lunchbox lockers (street/offroad), to complete case lockers (fulltime/partime). Full case lockers have the same tendencies as lunchox lockers, but rather than swap in internals for the locker (lunchbox), the entire case is a locker. The part-time version of a locker is the most expensive of the bunch, obviously. For street, it is the best option as you can leave it open. For offroad, you can determine to lock the axles together.
What a locker represents is the capability to maintain the speed of the axle shafts to be the same (locking), so there is no difference between the tires rotation. What a limited slip does is provide a slip mechanism so that one axle can spin faster than the other. In making turns, the inside tire doesn't rotate as fast as the outside tire on the same axle.

So what is your budget? That also plays a big part in choosing a set of lockers. Good luck.

Jagular7
97 SE - Rubbered and locked for fun
94 SE - stock, collecting parts for 37s

drunkencityworker

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2010, 09:12:13 PM »
4stanker is in my jeep club. I think he is confused on which way to go next and really didnt clarrify his question to well.

He is getting 33s next. mts for the terrain we run in. If not even more aggresive like swampers or boggers. I am pretty sure thats a givin will be next on his list
Prioritize
1. axle swap to get away from dana35
2. sye(I did mine with axle swap(why weld perches twice, only 1 driveshaft needs to be shortened0 besides eliminating vibes has stronger output shaft and the ability to limp in 2 fwd if you have a driveshaft issue on trail)
3.locker-if you were going to lock an axle which would you lock if only one(pretty sure selectables are out of the bugdet) I came across a used lokrite for a dana 30 and I dont notice it in 2wd.
also since he is going to be regearing that would be the time to add a detroit or a style locker that replaces carrier.
4. should he put money into the dana 35. alloys/gears/locker

Offline dwtaylorpdx

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2010, 03:32:25 PM »
1. Good. (Not gonna start the debate. ;P)
2. Best time and in the long run cheaper.
3. Rear, with my Rear ARB I do a lot of wheeling in 2wd.
4. No. In the big picture its not cheaper and you still have the smaller pinion/ring
set and even with the Cromo axles they are still the same size at the splined end..
Either do the 44 or the 8.8. unless you really plan on going big then think D60.

Just one opinion in a sea of many.... :)

Dave




94 YJ - 2.5 Hesco Cam B&B Ported - AX5 Trans w/Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch - 4" Rough Country Lift W/Skyjacker Shocks - D44 Rear/ARB - D30/ARB - ARB Compressor - Warn M8000 in Custom Bumper - Reunell Rear Bumper - Metalcloak 6" Body Armor Kit - Tuffy Console - 265x85-16 Tires - 2M Radio

Offline aw12345

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2010, 03:45:16 PM »
Your cheapest route to a good wheeler/ crawler on 33" or 35" tires is front and rear lockers for a daily driver go ARB or OX you will be happier in the long run than with any other choice since it will still drive like stock this way, no funny behavior what so ever on the road. Stick a ford 8.8 or dana 44 in the back with chromos, Front for that size tires and to keep the cost down just use a dana 30 out of an XJ. use currie control arms push the axles out as far as you can and you will have a pretty awesome Jeep without a whole lot of difficult modifications gear it 4.56 or 4.88 and you are good to go
2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ SE
2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ SE

Offline Bounty Hunter

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2010, 11:22:23 AM »
8.8 in the rear and both axles regeared to 4.88.  The front carrier can be reused if 4.11 are the stock gears.

Lock the rear first, that's where you will see the most benefit offroad.  If you're as serious about wheeling as to run swampers, then consider a spool in the rear.  Otherwise run a lunchbox locker or, if you can afford it, a selectable locker.

Torch_Ind

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2010, 02:00:10 PM »
8.8 in the rear and both axles regeared to 4.88.  The front carrier can be reused if 4.11 are the stock gears.

Lock the rear first, that's where you will see the most benefit offroad.  If you're as serious about wheeling as to run swampers, then consider a spool in the rear.  Otherwise run a lunchbox locker or, if you can afford it, a selectable locker.

This is exactly what I did re-geared to 4.88's and run a lunch box locker due to lack of funds for the selectable.   It works great off-road has some weird on road characteristics but nothing you can't deal with as long as you know how it works and why it's fine.

honestly I would upgrade your axles away from the dana 35 and 30 before sinking to much money in to them.

Offline jfrabat

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2010, 02:53:24 PM »
Regarding the gearing and axles, if you can, go to D44 on both ends, and regear to 5.13.  I run 33's and 4.88, and I feel it's still missing a bit of oomph.  I used to run 31's and 4.88, and loved the power available.  Plus, on 5th, you can cruise at 70mph no problem (rpm's will be around 3K, but the 4 banger can run like that all day, and you will also be on the higher side of the power band).

As for lockers, I run ARB and would recommend it eyes closed to anyone who can afford them (but they ARE the most expensive lockers out there).  As for tires, I run KM2's, and I am happy with them.  Just did some wheeling this weekend that included some mud, and they did just fine (never missed a beat!).
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Offline dwtaylorpdx

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2010, 03:09:41 PM »
I agree with  that. Its too bad 4.88 is as deep as the 30 can go but it will do the job with 33's for most folks.
I'm running 4.56 and 33's are too much, I can go fine but the mileage sucks. 32's rock with the 4.56 especially if you
keep to a narrow tread.

Dave

94 YJ - 2.5 Hesco Cam B&B Ported - AX5 Trans w/Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch - 4" Rough Country Lift W/Skyjacker Shocks - D44 Rear/ARB - D30/ARB - ARB Compressor - Warn M8000 in Custom Bumper - Reunell Rear Bumper - Metalcloak 6" Body Armor Kit - Tuffy Console - 265x85-16 Tires - 2M Radio

4-stankertj

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2010, 07:23:47 AM »
Wow, amazing amount of knowledge/opinions. thank you all, im looking to run 33/12.50's and i think it would be cheaper to go with an 8.8 in the rear. Is there a chart to go by and would let you know which 8.8 to go with?

Offline jfrabat

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #10 on: January 05, 2010, 09:22:40 AM »
By the way, re-reading the post, you may be fine with the 4.88; I have a manual, but since you have the auto, the torque converter will work in your favor...
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Offline FourbangerYJ

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #11 on: January 05, 2010, 09:56:44 AM »
Wow, amazing amount of knowledge/opinions. thank you all, im looking to run 33/12.50's and i think it would be cheaper to go with an 8.8 in the rear. Is there a chart to go by and would let you know which 8.8 to go with?

Since you have an auto tranny I think 4.56's for gears would be best with 33's.
Explorer 8.8 not sure on years, late 90's. Come with 31 spline shafts and disk brakes.
Scott~

Using tools you have not used in a while is like shaking hands with old friends. :nod:

Offline jfrabat

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #12 on: January 05, 2010, 10:01:25 AM »
Since you have an auto tranny I think 4.56's for gears would be best with 33's.
Explorer 8.8 not sure on years, late 90's. Come with 31 spline shafts and disk brakes.

I think 4.56 will bring you back to stock, but stock form ussually has less drag than a lifted Jeep.  Personally, I rather go a bit high and have the extra torque, which is why I would go with 4.88 for an auto with 33's and 5.13 for a manual with 33's (of course, I still got the D35 and D30, so I'm stock with the 4.88's on mine).
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

Offline FourbangerYJ

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #13 on: January 05, 2010, 10:06:07 AM »
I think 4.56 will bring you back to stock, but stock form ussually has less drag than a lifted Jeep.  Personally, I rather go a bit high and have the extra torque, which is why I would go with 4.88 for an auto with 33's and 5.13 for a manual with 33's (of course, I still got the D35 and D30, so I'm stock with the 4.88's on mine).

Good points! But without a OD it might be a bit high on the RPM's on the FWY. But either on would work.
Scott~

Using tools you have not used in a while is like shaking hands with old friends. :nod:

4-stankertj

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Re: Opinion needed for a newbie
« Reply #14 on: January 20, 2010, 08:21:36 AM »
Im trying to find a link for info on 8.8's. Looking for info for what to look for on the explorers to figure out what i need :stick: