Looking for thoughts and advice on axle swap and re-gear
- Thread starter 97TJNM
- Start date
OP
OP
That front axle is set up for crossover steering. Do your homework on that as well before proceeding. I'd recommended switching it back to the Inverted-Y (Haltenberger) design.
It would appear the knuckles have been swapped for the crossover steering. It's possible he has WJ knuckles on it?
OP
For sure! I'd definitely switch back if going forward with the Dana 44 install. I've considered taking the knuckles off my 30 and installing them if they will fit up.
OP
Good perspective. Honestly, other than the poor gearing, my jeep runs great and drives nicely, which is probably the biggest reason why I've considered just regearing them. I'm have a slight nervousness concerning swapping in the 44s and having to spend much more time trying to perfect its steering rather than just enjoying the jeep.
OP
I'm still stuck on how you're thinking the 3.07s are so bad, with KM3s that run small you're barely running 30s which aren't all that much bigger than stock. I spent a good while with 3.07s & true 33s & while they sucked they were livable prior to the regear.
Are you sure this need to regear isn't all in your head? For your described uses I'd keep what I've got and all my money plus perhaps some profit from selling the ruby axles, & as someone above said eventually stumble onto a 30/35 out of an SE w/411s for probably a fraction of what you spent on the Ruby axles.
Or, put the Ruby axles in plus all the usual accoutrements & go hog wild, you didn't really want to retire anyway, didja
Are you sure this need to regear isn't all in your head? For your described uses I'd keep what I've got and all my money plus perhaps some profit from selling the ruby axles, & as someone above said eventually stumble onto a 30/35 out of an SE w/411s for probably a fraction of what you spent on the Ruby axles.
Or, put the Ruby axles in plus all the usual accoutrements & go hog wild, you didn't really want to retire anyway, didja
Not that expensive, correct the steering bits and leave them at 4.88 and enjoy.Hahahaha! Man, if I had unlimited funds, it wouldn't even be a question!
OP
Hahahaha, oh, for sure it's not a NEED! That said, i live at over 7k feet above sea level and in a very mountainous town. The 3.07's are pretty darn underpowered. Again, it's of course not a need, but I'm pretty sure I'd be happier with some numerically higher gears. I just worry that the 4.88 might be too much. Of course, a big reason I don't go hog wild is I'm pretty sure my wife would notice if I stopped contributing to retirement while my TJ got wayyyy cooler at the same time.I'm still stuck on how you're thinking the 3.07s are so bad, with KM3s that run small you're barely running 30s which aren't all that much bigger than stock. I spent a good while with 3.07s & true 33s & while they sucked they were livable prior to the regear.
Are you sure this need to regear isn't all in your head? For your described uses I'd keep what I've got and all my money plus perhaps some profit from selling the ruby axles, & as someone above said eventually stumble onto a 30/35 out of an SE w/411s for probably a fraction of what you spent on the Ruby axles.
Or, put the Ruby axles in plus all the usual accoutrements & go hog wild, you didn't really want to retire anyway, didja
OP
(Deep breath) that would be my most desired option. I just worry that the 4.88 would be too much for the 331sand lead to a snowball effect of having to drop several grand on balancing the jeep performance back out. If you think I could enjoy 4.88 gearing with 31's though, that's a great sign and a nod for further considering that direction!
OP
*31's and(Deep breath) that would be my most desired option. I just worry that the 4.88 would be too much for the 331sand lead to a snowball effect of having to drop several grand on balancing the jeep performance back out. If you think I could enjoy 4.88 gearing with 31's though, that's a great sign and a nod for further considering that direction!
Vtx531
TJ Addict
You just wanted new gears right? But you bought all new axles, with lockers and fancy shafts. So you must have either A. got it for a really good deal or B. paid market price for crap you didn’t need or want.
If A. Sell it for profit and get what you actually wanted.
If B. Sell it because you wasted your money on things you don’t need or want.
Either way, the answer is to sell.
Keeping the axles leaves without the proper gearing which was the whole point of it in the first place, right? That doesn’t make sense
If A. Sell it for profit and get what you actually wanted.
If B. Sell it because you wasted your money on things you don’t need or want.
Either way, the answer is to sell.
Keeping the axles leaves without the proper gearing which was the whole point of it in the first place, right? That doesn’t make sense
Someone with that tranny would have to weigh in on how it works.(Deep breath) that would be my most desired option. I just worry that the 4.88 would be too much for the 331sand lead to a snowball effect of having to drop several grand on balancing the jeep performance back out. If you think I could enjoy 4.88 gearing with 31's though, that's a great sign and a nod for further considering that direction!
Vtx531
TJ Addict
OP