Re-gearing TJ, cost and brand

[chino1969]

At some point in the future I will be looking to re-gear. Am going to stay with 33" tires so it appears the 4.56 ratio is the way to go. 2004 TJ, 4.0, 5 speed. How much money am I looking at and what manufacturer of gears would experienced Jeepers recommend?

 

[Rob5589]

Roughly, 1500-2000. Use whatever the shop prefers.

 

[AndyG]

He's dead on . It's worth it too.

 

[Quigley]

Plus if you want lockers now would be the time as well so figure that into the mix. Many shops have deals from axle manufacturers where you can get the gears , install kits, lockers, and axles for a pretty good deal. If you want to bundle it.

 

[Westtown Willy]

give Keith a call at the JpShop, they're good guys & do good work, fairly close by too

http://thejpshop.net/
I agree on the locker add too, at least maybe an automatic in the front, something you can toss in while they're regearing for a few hundred extra bucks that will really be noticeable off road

 

[chino1969]

give Keith a call at the JpShop, they're good guys & do good work, fairly close by too

http://thejpshop.net/
I agree on the locker add too, at least maybe an automatic in the front, something you can toss in while they're regearing for a few hundred extra bucks that will really be noticeable off road

Thanks Willy. Do you have to do anything to a front auto. locker to get it to engage or does it auto. engage when you are in 4WD? I assume no air is required. I will have to check these guys out. I'll probably take a ride to the shop to get a feel for them and discuss options. Won't be able to pull the trigger until the treasury has the bucks to support this.

 

[chino1969]

Plus if you want lockers now would be the time as well so figure that into the mix. Many shops have deals from axle manufacturers where you can get the gears , install kits, lockers, and axles for a pretty good deal. If you want to bundle it.

Good tip; thanks.

 

[jazngab]

I second the Jeep Shop in Chester springs. Best price I found for my regear. I had them regear, install a rear trutrac, and install a new to me Dana 44 back in March. I actually was just there yesterday and they took care of a leaking rear axle seal for me no questions asked. Highly recommend.

 

[chino1969]

Good tips and feedback guys; thanks. Next question seeking opinions. If I only add an auto. locker to the front, how much more will this improve 4WD capabilities? My intent is to remain somewhere in the moderate area with regard to 4WD wheeling. Moderate climbs and trails, no boulders or obstacles to tear equipment up but still provide some challenges. For you local guys I will probably do most at Rausch Creek to get my skill level up but intend to explore VT trails in the future. Currently have 3.5" of lift, 1" body lift, 33" tires. No plans to go any larger or higher and want to remain within this envelope.

 

[chino1969]

I second the Jeep Shop in Chester springs. Best price I found for my regear. I had them regear, install a rear trutrac, and install a new to me Dana 44 back in March. I actually was just there yesterday and they took care of a leaking rear axle seal for me no questions asked. Highly recommend.

Thanks. I'll be driving there in the near future to discuss plans, options, prices, turn around time, etc..

 

[S.McArthur]

I brought my own Revolution Gear and Axle parts and luckily the guy liked them. He had never used RG&A but said they set up easily. Cost me $800 labor to do both axles + ring/pinion & overhaul kits.

If I only add an auto. locker to the front, how much more will this improve 4WD capabilities?

That was the first thing I did to my Jeep and never thought about a rear locker until I built my rear axle. It makes a world of difference for a minimal cost. However, since you are in PA, you may want to look at selectable locker for the front. The auto locker is all or none, may be tough cruising in the PA snow. I love my Powertrax No-Slip, never had an issue and I've climbed some loose steep hills with it.

 

[jazngab]

Good tips and feedback guys; thanks. Next question seeking opinions. If I only add an auto. locker to the front, how much more will this improve 4WD capabilities? My intent is to remain somewhere in the moderate area with regard to 4WD wheeling. Moderate climbs and trails, no boulders or obstacles to tear equipment up but still provide some challenges. For you local guys I will probably do most at Rausch Creek to get my skill level up but intend to explore VT trails in the future. Currently have 3.5" of lift, 1" body lift, 33" tires. No plans to go any larger or higher and want to remain within this envelope.

View attachment 102220

I have a lunchbox locker powertrax no slip up front. It’s been the best dollar for dollar upgrade. I do moderate wheeling and it’s been all I’ve needed and more.

 

[rouxbicon]

I brought my own Revolution Gear and Axle parts and luckily the guy liked them. He had never used RG&A but said they set up easily. Cost me $800 labor to do both axles + ring/pinion & overhaul kits.

That was the first thing I did to my Jeep and never thought about a rear locker until I built my rear axle. It makes a world of difference for a minimal cost. However, since you are in PA, you may want to look at selectable locker for the front. The auto locker is all or none, may be tough cruising in the PA snow. I love my Powertrax No-Slip, never had an issue and I've climbed some loose steep hills with it.

This is almost my exact scenario, right down to the price of $800 labor front and rear, and $550 for the RGA gear packages. I understood it was a bit of a gamble for me to supply the parts and have a local gear specialist do the install, but two years later they are still quiet and I couldn't be happier. This guy also indicated that they set up easy.

 

[tworley]

I brought my own Revolution Gear and Axle parts and luckily the guy liked them. He had never used RG&A but said they set up easily.

Ive heard that from a few people too who have experience setting up gears.

 

[jjvw]

... Do you have to do anything to a front auto. locker to get it to engage or does it auto. engage when you are in 4WD? I assume no air is required. ...

An auto locker only engages when it is receiving power from the engine and if there is sufficient differential action between the tires.

If you drive on the street in the snow/ice where you expect to need 4wd with some speed, a front auto locker may not be the wisest choice.

FWiW, I think my ideal setup would be a front auto with a selectable rear. But because I need to deal with snow, a selectable front becomes important.

 

[astjp2]

I ran a lock-rite for years in the front of a CJ with the hubs locked in the winter, the only time it was an issue is when one tire was on ice and the other was on dry asphalt, hit the brakes and it would chatter loudly when the tire on ice locked up.

 

[chino1969]

give Keith a call at the JpShop, they're good guys & do good work, fairly close by too

http://thejpshop.net/
I agree on the locker add too, at least maybe an automatic in the front, something you can toss in while they're regearing for a few hundred extra bucks that will really be noticeable off road

I met and talked to Keith this week. Discussed gear change and locker choices. I am running 33" tires and will not be going any higher so the gear issue question is resolved with 4.56 gears. I am leaning toward a limited slip diff. in the rear and possibly an auto. locker in the front. This will get me where I want to go within budgetary constraints. What is your opinion of that for our area (southeast PA)?

 

[jazngab]

I met and talked to Keith this week. Discussed gear change and locker choices. I am running 33" tires and will not be going any higher so the gear issue question is resolved with 4.56 gears. I am leaning toward a limited slip diff. in the rear and possibly an auto. locker in the front. This will get me where I want to go within budgetary constraints. What is your opinion of that for our area (southeast PA)?

I had Keith do my regear back in March. Highly recommend. Prices are very competitive and they stand by their work. They took care of a rear axle seal leak a couple months after I had the job. I went 4.56 with trutrac lsd. I’m on 31s and it’s nice. I’m glad I went 4.56 over 4.10.

 

[Westtown Willy]

I think you're asking about the choices of LSD rear and auto front for our geographical area road condition-wise? Assuming that's the case AND you drive it in snow from what I've read it'll work great, I believe you'd want to avoid an automatic in the rear if you're going to drive on icy or snowy roads. Off road it's also a good combination, @jazngab can attest to that very combination first hand. And the 4.56 with 33s is a great choice too, perfect on/off road balance, assuming it's a stick though as I think with an auto there's a more desirable ratio, one which escapes me at the moment. Keith is a good guy, he does good work and while I wouldn't call the Jpshop inexpensive, it's well worth the peace of mind over finding some hack & saving a couple dollars. Any major surgery my TJ needs in the future will only be done there.

 

[chino1969]

I think you're asking about the choices of LSD rear and auto front for our geographical area road condition-wise? Assuming that's the case AND you drive it in snow from what I've read it'll work great, I believe you'd want to avoid an automatic in the rear if you're going to drive on icy or snowy roads. Off road it's also a good combination, @jazngab can attest to that very combination first hand. And the 4.56 with 33s is a great choice too, perfect on/off road balance, assuming it's a stick though as I think with an auto there's a more desirable ratio, one which escapes me at the moment. Keith is a good guy, he does good work and while I wouldn't call the Jpshop inexpensive, it's well worth the peace of mind over finding some hack & saving a couple dollars. Any major surgery my TJ needs in the future will only be done there.

Yes, I am talking about a LSD in the rear with an auto locker in the front as well as performance in our area. I have the 5 speed manual NV3500 trans. along with 33" tires which is as large as I'll go. The rough prices quoted are consistent and competitive with my research. Your testament along with jazngab pretty much has made my mind up. Will have to sell some of my other toys to fund this. Thanks for the feedback and recommendation(s).