New Jeep regrets

[sarahlbel]

I recently bought an 06 Wrangler X. It has 3.07 gear ratio. I immediately bought 33"x12.5" tires and didn't realize what an ordeal it would be to put these tires on. I replaced the tire carrier and was planning to put a lift on but now it'll need to be regeared plus a few other things. A shop just told me they recommend a full replacement of the axles. I can't afford to do all of that at once. Now I'm rethinking my plan. If I start the mods but don't finish then it might be harder to sell and if I keep it as is it'll probably be easier to sell to someone who doesn't plan to offroad it (the body is in perfect shape). I think it would be easier to buy a jeep that already has some mods and is geared correctly. So now I'm leaning on just keeping it as is for a few years or just putting a more aggressive tire (and small lift/body lift). I'm so confused. If I could only go back in time now that I know what to stay away from.

 

[TWiG01]

First off, welcome. Second, you do not need entirely new axles. There is nothing wrong with keeping your Jeep stock for awhile. If you plan to off-road it, you’ll be amazed at what a stock TJ is capable of. If you’re not going to have the money to properly lift your Jeep and run 33s, I would just sell them and recoup some of your money. Start saving and do some research. This forum has literally covered everything TJ related and will answer all your questions.

 

[hallelujan37]

Lot of and seeing what others have done is certainly recommend. I still need to do the same but I do know that you don’t need to do complete axle swaps just to put 33’s on. I would hold off any unnecessary things a shop will try to take advantage on you before more knowledgeable people give you some input

 

[hallelujan37]

Lot of and seeing what others have done is certainly recommend. I still need to do the same but I do know that you don’t need to do complete axle swaps just to put 33’s on. I would hold off any unnecessary things a shop will try to take advantage on you before more knowledgeable people give you some input

^*Lot of research*^

 

[Modoc Guy]

Welcome to the forum!

And what’s been recommended above is good council.

You might start with googling how to get the build sheet for your rig, that’ll tell you everything your Jeep came with equipment wise. Use that, and the questions you have for improvements and the guys and gals here can get you on the right path to getting your Jeep fixed up just like you want, and keep it within your budget.

But above all, research research research, then check back here before you buy!

Good luck, and have fun with your new toy!

 

[sarahlbel]

The shop I went to is well respected and I was told they would be the ones to help me. Well as soon as I started talking about some of the research I had already done the guy told me I needed to stay off of the Jeep forums

I know I could sell the tires if I decide to go that route. I bought them online much cheaper than you can get them here in Alaska.

 

[Sancho]

TLDR.... consider dropping to 31's, lift it, lock it, wheel it.

Otherwise lift it... and run 33's while you save for a regear.


Regearing is a kick to the nuts money wise.

If your gonna regear... you will need a new carrier in the Dana 35, if going past 3.73.

Might make sense to buy a new rear axle with disc brakes, lockers, and already re-geared.

To run 33's... your gonna need to get it lifted a bit, more than a regear.

Go get a zone 4.25 combo kit or piece togethor your own parts.


OR.....

Drop down to 31's... lift it (zone lift $1k)... front lock it (aussie or powertrax $300 ish)

Amd wheel the hell outta it.

 

[Modoc Guy]

The shop I went to is well respected and I was told they would be the ones to help me. Well as soon as I started talking about some of the research I had already done the guy told me I needed to stay off of the Jeep forums

I know I could sell the tires if I decide to go that route. I bought them online much cheaper than you can get them here in Alaska.

A shop that starts off telling me what to do as opposed to doing what I ask is suspect IMHO.

A carefully researched and well thought out build is better, in my opinion, than having my build dictated by any shop, regardless of how well regarded they are.

But, ultimately, it’s your Jeep. Do as your conscience dictates.

 

[Sancho]

The shop I went to is well respected and I was told they would be the ones to help me. Well as soon as I started talking about some of the research I had already done the guy told me I needed to stay off of the Jeep forums

I know I could sell the tires if I decide to go that route. I bought them online much cheaper than you can get them here in Alaska.

There is truth to this..... lotta bs on forums. Groupthink, mindhive, etc....

 

[Kevin Q]

Welcome! I agree to think about what you plan to do with the Jeep. Will you wheel it on fire roads? Is it your daily? Will you rock crawl, run sand dunes, etc? From there you can build a plan and estimate what it will cost you.

 

[hallelujan37]

Agree with what everyone has said. Tons of research and seeing what others have done to their builds, create a build plan to what you want out of the Jeep, and buy things from there

 

[Vasq]

unless your axle housings are rusting to pieces, there's no reason to replace them.

lotta sound advice given so far. I'd run factory tire size and just hold on to your 33's until you're ready.

 

[Sancho]

unless your axle housings are rusting to pieces, there's no reason to replace them.

Idk man.... cost wise... might make more sense to buy a Dana 44 from g2, which comes in a 4.56, disc brakes, and lockers.

Vs... buying a new carrier.. lockers... regear.. chromoly shafts etc...

 

[Irun]

Well as soon as I started talking about some of the research I had already done the guy told me I needed to stay off of the Jeep forums

Any shop that doesn't want an educated consumer, is a shop to stay away from. This particular forum has the highest concentration of TJ/LJ experts available, which you can learn from. To be fair, there is chaff here. However, there is also a lot of wheat to harvest.

 

[Vasq]

Idk man.... cost wise... might make more sense to buy a Dana 44 from g2, which comes in a 4.56, disc brakes, and lockers.

Vs... buying a new carrier.. lockers... regear.. chromoly shafts etc...

ehh i don't know. loaded g2 axles are in the $3500-4500 range each. A full re-gear is only 2-2.5K for both axles with all new internals. even if you add lockers, you're still only in the price range for one g2 axle. You don't really need chromo shafts for 33's

not saying the g2's wouldn't make it easier.

 

[DrDmoney]

Welcome to the forum, 31’s and a budget boost and enjoy it, when you wear those tires out then decide.

 

[Blackjack]

The shop I went to is well respected and I was told they would be the ones to help me. Well as soon as I started talking about some of the research I had already done the guy told me I needed to stay off of the Jeep forums

I know I could sell the tires if I decide to go that route. I bought them online much cheaper than you can get them here in Alaska.

Is this shop in Los Anchorage? Good shops will give multiple options and reasoning behind those options not tell you to stay off the interwebs. There are good resources up here both in person and online that will help you. For 33s there is no reason to do anything but regear and add a traction device up front. Assuming the rear is a Dana 35 that would be one place I would consider upgrading but there is no reason you cannot gear the 35 and run it while you save up. If it were mine I would keep an eye out for a stock Dana 44 if you plan on staying with 35s or less. They pop up from time to time for pretty decent prices usually you just have to be quick on the draw.

 

[AndyG]

Well crud.

First I can tell your post is real, and totally believable. We realize you didn’t foresee the impact of larger tires and now you clearly do.

The short answer is regear and or drop to 31” tires, sell the 33” tires, and enjoy the Jeep while you decide long term what you want to do. It may decide for you. It is far easier to change the tires than the gearing and other things we know you will run into.

As far as “stay off jeep forums”, consider this-

We are a model specific forum, and we have members that have owned their TJs since they were new....as far back as 1997. We have members who have had dozens, and members who have worked on and designed parts and systems for thousands. We have members that own shops and drive these personally.

I’m sure there is a lot of drama, confusion and misinformation on many Jeep forums, especially those that have a mix of models in their membership.

This forum is genuine- we are Tj lovers who have been involved with every thing you can morally do to one- every modification, lift, regear, transplant, build, and alteration you can think of- if its worth doing we know about it.

The proven knowledge on this forum will not be matched at any parts store , shop or even the large majority of off road shops. Usually their recommendations are totally off base.

The TJ is 15 years post production, but extremely relevant here...if you will pay attention to the general consensus of posts here you will be fine on about any ownership issue.

We align our front ends in our driveways, tackle the country’s hardest trails and can keep these going with a butterknife and WD-40.

All that is to say, by and large, we will tell you to avoid shops if it is going to mislead you and give you a bad ownership experience.

 

[Sancho]

ehh i don't know. loaded g2 axles are in the $3500-4500 range each. A full re-gear is only 2-2.5K for both axles with all new internals. even if you add lockers, you're still only in the price range for one g2 axle. You don't really need chromo shafts for 33's

not saying the g2's wouldn't make it easier.

Gotcha.

In fact, i think we are carving from the same prime rib.

I am thinking 1x rear g2 axle, already geared, locked, with discs.... cant be too much more than building up a Dana 35.

May be a better value. Maybe not.. but worth the comparison. Imo.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I recently bought an 06 Wrangler X. It has 3.07 gear ratio. A shop just told me they recommend a full replacement of the axles. So now I'm leaning on just keeping it as is for a few years or just putting a more aggressive tire (and small lift/body lift). I'm so confused. If I could only go back in time now that I know what to stay away from.

The shop is just trying to take your money and sell you things you don't need, this forum isn't. Put a 2" BB or 1.25" BL on, add some aggressive 31s and enjoy it.