Gears/Locker - Questions & Advise

BuBBaBO

BuBBaBO

Well-known member
Club Member
Hello all

I have a 1999 Jeep TJ SE with a 2.5l 4 cylinder as a daily driver. It is bone stock (that I'm aware of) except for a 3" body lift and 2" coil spacers. I am also running 315/75/R16 (35's) Mickey Thompson Baja Claw radials.

As you can probably tell, the little 4 banger has quite a time turning those big ass wheels. I'm told that upgrading the gears would be a good start to making it drive a little better. I am not very mechanically inclined but I was thinking 4:88 gears and a...
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Dirk

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4.88 are right, they will give you close to stock gearing. Still a little tall, but close.

Daily driver necessitates a selectable locker, IMHO. ARB or Zip locker. Highest initial investment but best suited for your application. As a bonus you'll have onboard air.
Lock the rear first and worry about the front when you get the cash for it.
 
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Andy4802

Guest
I have an Aussie locker in the front of my TJ... it is not longer my DD but it was for a long time and it didnt cause me any issues at all. on dry pavement i drove in RWD so the locker didnt affect anything and in heavy snow i would put it in 4WD and the locker would actually help. You DO need to drive with an awareness of how and when it will engage, but thats something you will get used to.
Selectable is nice but pricey... an aussie or a lockright is a good budget oriented alternative.
 
2

2Greys

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Club Member
If you are running a Dana 35 you should seriously look at upgrading the axles and John's suggestion of a Super 35 with an Ox or Arb is probably the best. The c-clip is a huge weakness with this axle and running anything more than 33s with open diffs is risking snapping an axle. I would say if you don't want to do that then locking the front is safer than the back. The Dana 30 doesn't take as much of a load as the back.

However if you are running other axles ignore what I said
 
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BuBBaBO

BuBBaBO

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Ok, thank you gentleman. Now, do you know where I can buy these goodies? Online or in the area? In buying gears and whatnot, do they not usually come with all the goodies to install them? A kit?
 
Twinkie

Twinkie

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Short of pulling an axle and counting, how would he know the spline count on the axle?
 
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Big Mike

Guest
I agree with Andy4802. Go with lunch Box and in the front. I was unsure of this until I did it myself. I installed new axles with a limited slip in the rear and found that my front would still "hang me up" when trying to climb up a rock/log/rut. With the front locked with an Aussie, it makes both turn to climb better. I know that this is a long debated topic and really opinions are like...........but that is my two cents. Mine is by no means a DD though. On that topic though, I don't think you really should drive around on the street in four wheel drive. When I was DD my Yj I found it gave a false sense of security. And when you did go to stop your braking was now 50/50 instead of 70/30 (or there abouts) the way that it was designed. Causing a complete loss of control when in an emergency situation. Again my two cents, and my opinion.
 
BuBBaBO

BuBBaBO

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Club Member
Went with a Spartan locker in the rear for now.

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2
 
2

2Greys

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Club Member
Just remember to take it REALLY easy on the go pedal if it's in the rear. or at least bring spare shafts and diff fluid. You have implemented the perfect storm of two questionable choices on a wimpy axle. Dana 35s really max out at 33's (you are running 35's) and you have now put in a locker in the back. 35's and lockers are recommended in a minimum of Dana 44s or Ford 8.8. Granted there are people out there who have done either or both and had no issues, but the chance is there.
Both situations in themselves have ended up with broken axleshafts and you have made the perfect storm. You may want to look at investing in some cromoly shafts. And if you do that and want to be extra careful you want to look at putting a truss on it. They don't call it polishing a turd for nothing.
Here is an example of what may be in your future:
http://www.billhughes.com/dana35c/
Also since the Spartan is an autolocker it will be interesting to see how it behaves in winter.
 
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pynenburg

Well-known member
Cant speak for regearing but ill agree with the others on a selectable locker. But if your on a tight budget then richmond lock right works very well. Only thing about it is it eats tires a bit quicker being its only a lunchbox locker. And talk to a guy named scott burger at no limits auto parts. He wheels and hes very good with pricing. As far as installs go. Malemberg powertrain and national 4wd centers are the only two i know off hand.
 
BuBBaBO

BuBBaBO

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Club Member
Locker is already installed (thanks Scott)

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2
 
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