Eaton e-lockers and 37’s

[Chris]

For those that don’t know Blaine, I would trust him. In fact, there are very few people out there who have the same sort of character as Blaine does.

You may think he’s a little rough around the edges but after dealing with folks on the internet for decades who want to do nothing but argue—even when they’re clearly wrong—it becomes obviously apparent why he is rough around the edges.

Take the advice or don’t. He’s probably got the best advice you’ll ever get though as far as TJs are related.

Nobody cares if anyone runs 37s on a Dana 44. However, we are going to call out a bad idea when we hear it.

You can deny all you want that it’s a bad idea, but as Ben Shapiro always says, “facts don’t care about your feelings”.

 

[Woodrow]

Deeper gears would feel better , but higher drive shaft speeds have highway issues also . At some point a Jeep is a Jeep and will have some type of issue.
The TJ's modded for great off road use , finally end up being near useless on the highway , and get hauled around on a tandem trailer behind a Cummins dually.

True, I think. Although there is compromise. While I’m sure many would disagree, I say a TJ isn’t a great highway rig even in stock form. Too much wind noise and not enough power. Mine has been slowly evolving toward the trail rig side of the spectrum and is less civilized on the road as a result (primarily just because of tire noise). Although they will be trailed long distances, many true off road builds are still a lot of fun around town or on country roads.

 

[jjvw]

Deeper gears would feel better , but higher drive shaft speeds have highway issues also . At some point a Jeep is a Jeep and will have some type of issue.
...

The only reason to shy away from deeper gears is a specific combination of the 42rle automatic with the 241 transfer case often results in bad harmonics from the drive shaft rpms. And we already know that a hub kit can usually correct that when other options have been exhausted.

...
The TJ's modded for great off road use , finally end up being near useless on the highway , and get hauled around on a tandem trailer behind a Cummins dually.

I very strongly disagree that a TJ modded for great off road use is necessarily useless on the highway.

 

[ColoJeep]

True, I think. Although there is comprise. While I’m sure many would disagree, I say a TJ isn’t a great highway rig even in stock form. Mine has been slowly evolving toward the trail rig side of the spectrum and is less civilized on the road as a result (primarily just because of tire noise). Although they will be trailed long distances, many true off road builds are still a lot of fun around town or on country roads.

A Jeep was never great highway machine . I agree that the further down the off road rabbit hole one builds to , the less the highway aspect becomes .
It's like a dual - sport bike , usable in both worlds , but don't think it with be a Gold Wing on the highway .

 

[mrblaine]

Nobody cares if anyone runs 37s on a Dana 44. However, we are going to call out a bad idea when we hear it.

I tend to overlook the outliers and not let them be the rule. I know of 2 rigs running 37's on 44's. One was the stock Rubi 44, the other is a Currie. The stocker ran JV with us many times and never broke it, the other one is doing a fair bit of wheeling with no ill effects so far. Both were and are contrary to all other experiences so we just have to let them be what they are, outliers and not the rule. I can't explain why they are fine so far when so many others aren't. I would not let them convince me it is a good idea.

 

[jjvw]

A Jeep was never great highway machine . I agree that the further down the off road rabbit hole one builds to , the less the highway aspect becomes .
It's like a dual - sport bike , usable in both worlds , but don't think it with be a Gold Wing on the highway .

Again, the two do not have to be mutually exclusive.

 

[Woodrow]

I tend to overlook the outliers and not let them be the rule. I know of 2 rigs running 37's on 44's. One was the stock Rubi 44, the other is a Currie. The stocker ran JV with us many times and never broke it, the other one is doing a fair bit of wheeling with no ill effects so far. Both were and are contrary to all other experiences so we just have to let them be what they are, outliers and not the rule. I can't explain why they are fine so far when so many others aren't. I would not let them convince me it is a good idea.

careful driving?
edit: I’m curious; are they stock wheelbase TJs?

 

[GregBelleville]

careful driving?
edit: I’m curious; are they stock wheelbase TJs?

Was going to suggest the same thing, one factor that often gets overlooked with how capable or durable a build might be is the owner of the right foot for said rig.

 

[mrblaine]

careful driving?
edit: I’m curious; are they stock wheelbase TJs?

One was stock wheelbase TJ, the other is a TJ Unlimited. The TJ was a reasonably careful driver but JV has a difficulty level that a steady diet of takes its toll no matter how careful or skilled you are. All I truly know about the other is he had to quit wheeling one year before he wanted to because he was out of AAA miles.

 

[mrblaine]

Was going to suggest the same thing, one factor that often gets overlooked with how capable or durable a build might be is the owner of the right foot for said rig.

If you get the opportunity to go along over any of the common trails in JV, do so. When you return, I'd like you to revisit the above statement with your new perspective.

 

[Woodrow]

One was stock wheelbase TJ, the other is a TJ Unlimited. The TJ was a reasonably careful driver but JV has a difficulty level that a steady diet of takes its toll no matter how careful or skilled you are. All I truly know about the other is he had to quit wheeling one year before he wanted to because he was out of AAA miles.

Believable. Even in my limited experience, I have found myself in situations with no careful way out.

 

[ColoJeep]

Believable. Even in my limited experience, I have found myself in situations with no careful way out.

There is always that tension of , " how much is to much " . There are many places that need the heavier hand line . Of course there is also the " send it in every situation " approach . The SXS crowd seems to master that .

 

[gatertamer]

I

Jerry stubborned his way into irrelevance. All he has ever had is a list of copy/paste information that he rarely deviates from. He does not learn or refine his understandings from experience.

I was waiting for you to chime in……he was stubborn but he knew his shit about some things

 

[Wildman]

ECGS here says the JK Dana 44 might be OK for 37's but that's it...

 

[GregBelleville]

Of course there is also the " send it in every situation " approach . The SXS crowd seems to master that .

This is what I was referring to regarding the owner of the right foot. FAFO

 

[ColoJeep]

ECGS here says the JK Dana 44 might be OK for 37's but that's it...

Sounds like an expensive maybe , there is a BIG jump going to a kingpin D - 60 ! Thanks Wildman .

 

[Unique Username]

ECGS here says the JK Dana 44 might be OK for 37's but that's it...

Any time I see that guy (Ian Johnson) in any video it automatically looses all credibility and I know to not take advise from that guy in particular.

 

[Apparition]

Any time I see that guy (Ian Johnson) in any video it automatically looses all credibility and I know to not take advise from that guy in particular.

Why don’t you like Ian?

 

[cpwolf]

He and I had several conversations before his wife induced move to Florida. He spent nearly every weekend out in the desert or up in the mountains wheeling with friends and he knew there was nothing in Florida to scratch that particular itch. He was concerned, bothered, and more than a bit upset about it and was really trying to figure out if the Jeep should go or just sell it off. On the one hand, his identity is so wrapped up in it, it would be like selling part of himself, on the other, he didn't want the daily reminder of what he was no longer able to enjoy sitting unused in the garage.

What I saw and this is just outside looking in, was a turn towards just being pretty bitter about most everything. That took him to some very strange hills to die on like the kerfuffle over the Anti-rock. His position was that because he ran one, there was no reason for anyone to run anything else. Ignoring several sound and well written comparisons between the various options by folks like Mr. Bills et al along with lots of anecdotal experiences from others is both untenable and a bad look.

He finally blocked me on FB and probably a few more places after he tried to stir up some shit between me and Gerald. Gerald deleted Jerry's post and mine after I told Jerry to fuck right off for doing that crap. That little bit of bullshit told me quite clearly that our friendship of over 20 years was done.

I’m sorry to hear that. Whether deserved or not, it sucks to lose a friend.
I thought I read a thread where he was on a hill over a Jack, blocks under the Jack, bottle Jack, etc. something that seemed not worth arguing over.
My wife tells me not to shut doors, I tend to shut and weld them.

Either way, sorry to hear that.

 

[mrblaine]

I’m sorry to hear that. Whether deserved or not, it sucks to lose a friend.
I thought I read a thread where he was on a hill over a Jack, blocks under the Jack, bottle Jack, etc. something that seemed not worth arguing over.
My wife tells me not to shut doors, I tend to shut and weld them.

Either way, sorry to hear that.

We were probably headed there anyway. He was not fond of me looking out for him on crap that was or should have been obvious. He posted up once that he asked Gerald for stickers to pass out and Gerald said he can't get any more.

I sent him a message and told him to be careful. There are tons of sticker makers out there and can't is not the same as won't. Gerald is telling that he won't get any more, not that he is unable to. He is able, he just won't. Just be careful because the potential for blowback is pretty high and I'd hate to see you get caught up in something that isn't your doing.

He told me to piss off and mind my own business or words to that effect.