I have a 1997 TJ Wrangler 4.0 with a Dana 30 up front and a Dana 35 in the rear. AX-15 Transmission and NP231 Transfer case. It has a small lift, like 2.5 inches or so, with 32x11.5R15 and aluminum wheels. I recently installed a 12k pound winch on the front bumper. I bought it a few years ago and fixed it up and have it running reliably. Their next step is to turn it into the ultimate Colorado Elk Hunting Jeep! This is my first Jeep but I'm a gear head and spend a ton of time working on cars. I need your help to figure out how far I need to go when choosing an axle setup.
What do I want to do? I have no interest in rock crawling, but I want to have confidence that my Jeep can get me in and out of the most remote hunting spots in Colorado. I want my jeep to be able to go anywhere that an ATV or UTV can go.... maybe even further. I should also mention that I hunt alone so I wouldn't have any help if I get stuck.
What I'm worried about.... I don't want to go and start putting lockers and better axles in my Dana 30 & 35 just to find out later that I should have upgraded to a Dana 44 or Dana 60 in the first place. How far do I need to go? I've got money to spend but I also don't want to go buy 2 Dana 60's that I don't really need. I know people are going to ask what size tires I may want to run in the future and I don't know. I guess I would ask how big of tires do I need to accomplish the goals I listed above. I don't know what that is. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!
What do I want to do? I have no interest in rock crawling, but I want to have confidence that my Jeep can get me in and out of the most remote hunting spots in Colorado. I want my jeep to be able to go anywhere that an ATV or UTV can go.... maybe even further. I should also mention that I hunt alone so I wouldn't have any help if I get stuck.
What I'm worried about.... I don't want to go and start putting lockers and better axles in my Dana 30 & 35 just to find out later that I should have upgraded to a Dana 44 or Dana 60 in the first place. How far do I need to go? I've got money to spend but I also don't want to go buy 2 Dana 60's that I don't really need. I know people are going to ask what size tires I may want to run in the future and I don't know. I guess I would ask how big of tires do I need to accomplish the goals I listed above. I don't know what that is. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!