Uneducated start to Jeeps

[Window&DoorWhore]

Bought a new to me 2003 Sahara a few months ago. Kinda bought it on a whim and had no idea how much it costs to have a Jeep regeared. It underwent a frame off restoration two years ago, very fresh build just ratty stock paint since he was aiming for more of a trail rig.

So far all I’ve done to it is replace a few lights and replaced transmission pan gasket since it was leaking. Turns out a few holes were stripped but they happened to be 8x1.25 which are the same as Yamaha superjet cylinder head bolts so I had plenty of time serts on hand.

Tonight’s project is a new oil pan gasket and rear main seal. Pan and pan gasket were recently replaced however it has a small leak still, I don’t think anyone changed the rms.

It’s going in to get regeared this coming Monday to 4.88’s. I have the 42RLE with 33x12.5 bfg ko’s. I’ve been told by a different shop that is the deepest gear I can go with the stock Dana 44 rear/Dana 30 lp front combination. Is this true or can I go 5.13? I’m contemplating having an Eaton trutrac installed in the rear since it will be apart and then I may throw in a spartan no slip up front later. Trying to stay within a budget since gears themselves are 1600 parts and labor. I see online people sell 5.13 front and rear for non rubicon TJ’s. In hindsight I’d have spent just a little more and bought a rubicon..

thanks!
Patrick

 

[dbbd1]

Since the diff's will be open, it's easier to put lockers in now. Cable, air or electric in the rear (although a TruTrac gear driven LSD is a good choice too) and a lunchbox up front.
If you can spare the expense, go for it.

 

[Chris]

They are correct, the deepest you can gear is 5.13, which is what you'll want for 33s on a 42RLE equipped TJ.

If you have the money, invest in selectable lockers. That is always the way to go if you have the money.

And yes, I hear you on the Rubicon. For the most part, they pay for themselves if you plan on doing stuff like this, but oh well, at least you have a TJ

 

[jeepguy03]

They are correct, the deepest you can gear is 5.13, which is what you'll want for 33s on a 42RLE equipped TJ.

If you have the money, invest in selectable lockers. That is always the way to go if you have the money.

And yes, I hear you on the Rubicon. For the most part, they pay for themselves if you plan on doing stuff like this, but oh well, at least you have a TJ

+1 on the selectable lockers. One of my friends had an XJ with Spartan lunchbox lockers in it. They got quieter after about 50k miles but the thing was always banging and clicking constantly. Definitely wears down tires quicker at least in the rear.

I have a LSD in the Dana 44 rear of my TJ, but plan on going with selectable lockers when I upgrade it.

 

[Window&DoorWhore]

+1 on the selectable lockers. One of my friends had an XJ with Spartan lunchbox lockers in it. They got quieter after about 50k miles but the thing was always banging and clicking constantly. Definitely wears down tires quicker at least in the rear.

I have a LSD in the Dana 44 rear of my TJ, but plan on going with selectable lockers when I upgrade it.

Is your 44 factory track lock or an aftermarket lsd?

I priced selectables and was blown away. I’d love to get them but really I’m not even sure what TJ’s are capable of as they sit with open diffs or a worn out track lock in the rear. If there’s a LSD I can get for the rear for $5-600 while it’s apart I’ll do that and then later down the road I can always add a lunchbox up front if I outgrow what I have.

 

[Midtenn]

I'd do the the TruTrac (what I have) now vs later. It's cheaper in the long run to do it all at once. I have TT in the front and back. I paid $2,100 out the door.

 

[jeepguy03]

Is your 44 factory track lock or an aftermarket lsd?

I priced selectables and was blown away. I’d love to get them but really I’m not even sure what TJ’s are capable of as they sit with open diffs or a worn out track lock in the rear. If there’s a LSD I can get for the rear for $5-600 while it’s apart I’ll do that and then later down the road I can always add a lunchbox up front if I outgrow what I have.

It's just a factory Track Lock. To be honest I'm not even sure how well it works anymore. If I take it apart and swap it out with something I'm definitely going with selectable. Cost more for sure, but buy once cry once.

 

[Flivver250]

Nice looking Jeep.

 

[qslim]

Is your 44 factory track lock or an aftermarket lsd?

I priced selectables and was blown away. I’d love to get them but really I’m not even sure what TJ’s are capable of as they sit with open diffs or a worn out track lock in the rear. If there’s a LSD I can get for the rear for $5-600 while it’s apart I’ll do that and then later down the road I can always add a lunchbox up front if I outgrow what I have.

FWIW I've had my TJ now for a couple of years with open diffs. I don't know what kind of stuff you get into to, but we've been out a bunch & never had a problem. I just don't put myself into a situation where I think one or more wheels are going to be off the ground, plus I always have the kids & wife with me so I don't get into anything too gnarly. We went down to Moab last year, did Fins & Things, Chicken Corners, and my open diffs did great (factory tracloc in the rear, but after 21 years I doubt it does much anymore).

That being said I did find a smoking deal on a 44 for the rear and have been planning a regear since I first got mine (3.73 on 33s sucks), so I am going to go ahead & throw a selectable locker in the rear at the same time. Not sure if I'll ever really need it, but it'll be there.

 

[HYRYSC]

Bought a new to me 2003 Sahara a few months ago. Kinda bought it on a whim and had no idea how much it costs to have a Jeep regeared. It underwent a frame off restoration two years ago, very fresh build just ratty stock paint since he was aiming for more of a trail rig.

So far all I’ve done to it is replace a few lights and replaced transmission pan gasket since it was leaking. Turns out a few holes were stripped but they happened to be 8x1.25 which are the same as Yamaha superjet cylinder head bolts so I had plenty of time serts on hand.

Tonight’s project is a new oil pan gasket and rear main seal. Pan and pan gasket were recently replaced however it has a small leak still, I don’t think anyone changed the rms.

It’s going in to get regeared this coming Monday to 4.88’s. I have the 42RLE with 33x12.5 bfg ko’s. I’ve been told by a different shop that is the deepest gear I can go with the stock Dana 44 rear/Dana 30 lp front combination. Is this true or can I go 5.13? I’m contemplating having an Eaton trutrac installed in the rear since it will be apart and then I may throw in a spartan no slip up front later. Trying to stay within a budget since gears themselves are 1600 parts and labor. I see online people sell 5.13 front and rear for non rubicon TJ’s. In hindsight I’d have spent just a little more and bought a rubicon..

thanks!
Patrick

View attachment 184649

Did you regear? Which way did you go on the lockers and gears?

 

[Window&DoorWhore]

Did you regear? Which way did you go on the lockers and gears?

Dropping it off in an hour. 5.13 gears Eaton trutrac posi rear. Leaving front open so it doesn’t break.

 

[HYRYSC]

Very nice!! I just got 5.13s Revolutions installed last week. Love the low end grunt!!

You should check out and read about the lunchbox lockers. Lots of youtube videos about them. Here is one that I like.

The front dana 30 is plenty strong enough for locked with 33's. I have the Aussie lunchbox locker that my son and I installed in an easy afternoon (read: I installed while my son played on his phone). In my past life I ran a Cherokee with 33's and a lunchbox and it was one of the best mod's that I ever did to it.

Great thing about a lunchbox locker is that if you are not in 4 wheel drive, it is basically transparent. Many will recommend a front locker before a rear locker just because it is easier to pull yourself over an obstacle than to try to push your way over it.

Anyway you go, just a locker in the rear or front and rear, the added traction is a game changer on even mild trails!

 

[Window&DoorWhore]

Very nice!! I just got 5.13s Revolutions installed last week. Love the low end grunt!!

You should check out and read about the lunchbox lockers. Lots of youtube videos about them. Here is one that I like.

The front dana 30 is plenty strong enough for locked with 33's. I have the Aussie lunchbox locker that my son and I installed in an easy afternoon (read: I installed while my son played on his phone). In my past life I ran a Cherokee with 33's and a lunchbox and it was one of the best mod's that I ever did to it.

Great thing about a lunchbox locker is that if you are not in 4 wheel drive, it is basically transparent. Many will recommend a front locker before a rear locker just because it is easier to pull yourself over an obstacle than to try to push your way over it.

Anyway you go, just a locker in the rear or front and rear, the added traction is a game changer on even mild trails!

I’m pretty excited to drive it after the gears are installed. I can always add a lunchbox if I decide to. My problem is going to be having the time to get out and actually use it on trails.

 

[Window&DoorWhore]

5.13 gears are spot on perfect for 33’s and 42RLE