Now that my 2003 X has become my daily driver, I’m looking for some advice on ways to create a more capable off-reader that still holds its own on the highways.
I live in Central Texas, so being able to drive 75mph is a must if I’m going to get anywhere.
Right now, I’ve got the 4.0L with 4spd automatic and Dana 30/35 setup with 3.73 gears running 33s (3” lift), so regearing is the first priority.
That’s where I would like some input.
Here’s my current thought process:
If I’m going to regear, I might as well add at least one traction device (front is currently open, with factory LSD in rear). I’d like to put ARBs in both, but they’re expensive. I initially thought about keeping the LSD and adding a lunchbox to the front, but we’ve been getting more snow and ice in the past few winters, so I’m not as comfortable with that anymore.
I think I may have bent/tweaked an axel on my last off-road outing (strange vibration in the rear that wasn’t there before), so I’ll probably need new rear ones.
There’s plenty of info about how bad the Dana 35 is, so I’m thinking about just going with a Dana 44 from G2 or ECGS (or the like). That would take care of the axles, gears, locker and disc brake upgrade - and I could get the bolt pattern in 5x5 to allow for the JK wheels I’m running. I don’t love the idea of dropping $4,500 on a new Dana 44, but by the time I have $2.5k in gears, locker, and axles, maybe it’s worth $2k to get the 44 over the 35.
Then, the front…
If I add an ARB locker, new 5x5 wheel hubs and U-joints to the front, when I regear, am I in the same basic situation as with the rear?
What am I not considering?
What are some other options?
I live in Central Texas, so being able to drive 75mph is a must if I’m going to get anywhere.
Right now, I’ve got the 4.0L with 4spd automatic and Dana 30/35 setup with 3.73 gears running 33s (3” lift), so regearing is the first priority.
That’s where I would like some input.
Here’s my current thought process:
If I’m going to regear, I might as well add at least one traction device (front is currently open, with factory LSD in rear). I’d like to put ARBs in both, but they’re expensive. I initially thought about keeping the LSD and adding a lunchbox to the front, but we’ve been getting more snow and ice in the past few winters, so I’m not as comfortable with that anymore.
I think I may have bent/tweaked an axel on my last off-road outing (strange vibration in the rear that wasn’t there before), so I’ll probably need new rear ones.
There’s plenty of info about how bad the Dana 35 is, so I’m thinking about just going with a Dana 44 from G2 or ECGS (or the like). That would take care of the axles, gears, locker and disc brake upgrade - and I could get the bolt pattern in 5x5 to allow for the JK wheels I’m running. I don’t love the idea of dropping $4,500 on a new Dana 44, but by the time I have $2.5k in gears, locker, and axles, maybe it’s worth $2k to get the 44 over the 35.
Then, the front…
If I add an ARB locker, new 5x5 wheel hubs and U-joints to the front, when I regear, am I in the same basic situation as with the rear?
What am I not considering?
What are some other options?
