It's time to rebuild the rear end in my TJ and I'm looking for advice on what ratio to use. It currently sits on 33x12.50 BFG KM2s. I mostly drive it around town, often towing, but I often make hwy trips. I've rebuilt the 4.0 with internals from Clifford (.060" over, 264 cam) so power isn't a problem. Any suggestions would be welcome.
gear selection
- Thread starter Andrew F
- Start date
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Do you have the 5spd or the automatic? What's the factory axle ratio?
I generally recommend 4.56 for the auto and 4.88 for the 5spd if you want offroad performance. If offroad performance doesn't concern you and fuel mileage is more of a concern, consider 4.10 for the auto and 4.56 for the 5spd.
I generally recommend 4.56 for the auto and 4.88 for the 5spd if you want offroad performance. If offroad performance doesn't concern you and fuel mileage is more of a concern, consider 4.10 for the auto and 4.56 for the 5spd.
I have the 5spd. It's a 97 Sahara without the tow package so I'm pretty sure it has a D44 with a 3.73 LSD. With the 33s it's been really sluggish on the hwy. I'm just afraid of the fuel econ if I go to 4.56. Does anyone make something around 4.30?
Regardless I'm going to have to replace the carrier, it's had a long, hard life, and I'm sure I've destroyed the internals. It's stuck in posi and pops while turning and sometimes on takeoff.
I do quite a bit of towing with it. Not so much offroad these days.
Regardless I'm going to have to replace the carrier, it's had a long, hard life, and I'm sure I've destroyed the internals. It's stuck in posi and pops while turning and sometimes on takeoff.
I do quite a bit of towing with it. Not so much offroad these days.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
d44 axle was not available in '97, and the 4.0L 5spd came with 3.07 gears most often which would explain your very sluggish performance. Your axle is a d35 rear and d30 front. Check the numbers on the diff tag to be sure of the gear ratio.
I'd recommend finding a pair of used axles from a 2.5L 5spd TJ as they have 4.10 gears, and it sounds like yours have been abused to the point replacement would be a good investment.
I'd recommend finding a pair of used axles from a 2.5L 5spd TJ as they have 4.10 gears, and it sounds like yours have been abused to the point replacement would be a good investment.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
Never heard of one from the factory, do you know if it's been swapped in?
Who knows what your gear ratio is if it's been swapped from another vehicle. Did you check the front axle for a tag?
Who knows what your gear ratio is if it's been swapped from another vehicle. Did you check the front axle for a tag?
everything I've seen thus far indicates that it is factory. The 44 was listed as an option in the 97 Sahara. there is a decal in the bottom of the glove compartment with a warning about the Trac-Loc mechanism. It also has a 19gal fuel tank, which is an uncommon option on early TJs but it is factory. as I've looked through pages it does look as though it did come with 3.07 gears though. I purchased it used 5 years ago and have found that it's optioned exactly how I would have ordered it had I bought it new with the more rugged options and little in the way of [non standard] extra comforts.
I would consider Rubicon axles, but I don't want to deal with the compressor for the ARB lockers. I'm more interested in Detroit Lockers because I won't have to worry about them and don't mind the noise. As if I would notice it over the flowmaster super 44 and BFG MT KM2s.
haven' checked the front yet
I would consider Rubicon axles, but I don't want to deal with the compressor for the ARB lockers. I'm more interested in Detroit Lockers because I won't have to worry about them and don't mind the noise. As if I would notice it over the flowmaster super 44 and BFG MT KM2s.
haven' checked the front yet
jfrabat
New member
Rubicon lockers were electric, as far as I know... And KM2's are really not that noisy. I run 33" BFG KM2's on 4.88 gears (I have a 2.5L) and my axles are SD30 and SD35...
TJ Rubicons were ARB. JK Rubicons are electric
I don't think they're ARB (someone correct me if I'm wrong), but they are pneumatic in the TJs.
I had heard that they were ARB. still, pneumatic lockers require a compressor that I don't want to deal with.
At any rate, this whole thing started because I've damaged the spider gears in my diff. It looks as though I can drop a powertrax no-slip (#92-0444-3020) in to replace the trac-loc and at least be able to drive it until I can afford to replace the rest of the axle internals.
At any rate, this whole thing started because I've damaged the spider gears in my diff. It looks as though I can drop a powertrax no-slip (#92-0444-3020) in to replace the trac-loc and at least be able to drive it until I can afford to replace the rest of the axle internals.
Utah_jeepster
Super Moderator
Andrew they were air lockers but Chrysler made, they came out for 3 years. Jeep mounted two small dedicated air-compressors next to the transfer case and ran the air lines down the drivers side upper control arm. It only took 5lbs to engage the locker and 2lbs of skinny pedal to blow them on rocks. Then in 06 Rubicons came out with a e-lockers and service departments loved Jeep again.
IF it just your spider gears for your trac-loc, any jeep dealer will have the replacement gears available cheap. I replaced mine once before I went to ARB's. Think it was around 120$ or so I cant remember, but it was cheaper than throwing in a new carrier.
IF it just your spider gears for your trac-loc, any jeep dealer will have the replacement gears available cheap. I replaced mine once before I went to ARB's. Think it was around 120$ or so I cant remember, but it was cheaper than throwing in a new carrier.
Robert_Stephens
New member
I keep hearing this sort of report above and am learning. For me and VEX, the ARBs are 20 years old now and just plain rock and bullet proof as well. Interesting data and facts from everyone.
Robert
Robert
jfrabat
New member
The only problem I have ever had with my ARB lockers was my last wheeling trip; the air compressor turned on while submerged, and it seems water does not compress too well after all... :shock: Since then, I removed the air filter and used a connection to he stock air box (and snorkel!).
would this require re-shimming everything? or should I just be able to drop them in?
Utah_jeepster
Super Moderator
No since the spider gears run on con-cave shims inside the carrier, they do not have any shim relation to the ring and pinion shims.
You will need a large "C" clamp when you dis-assemble the carrier.
You will need a large "C" clamp when you dis-assemble the carrier.
Robert_Stephens
New member
I understand this. Soon after I got VEX operational, about 19 years ago or so, I was Jeepin' on a rescue in eastern Montana for a buddy of mine stranded, and drowned out the pump on the ARBs. Same as you I think. I then ran a small hose up high enough along the windshield frame to assuage this and that mod worked well. From then to now, all over the planet, no errors since.
With so much desert running that is not an issue of late, but still I keep an eye on this.
Robert
What do you mean internals?
First off, the D44 was a late model year option, early "97" tj's which were manufactured with 96 build dates and early 97, the D44 was not an option, it was added mid-year, late year 97 to the TJ model as an option only for sports and sahara's. the amount of 97's that actually got the d44 was limited, so it is generally assumed that 98 was the first year for them.
if your re-gearing, at a minimum, you will need a ring and pinion set for the front and for the rear, as well as master install kits for each. depending on what gear ration you had, and what you're going to, you may also have to get a new carrier.
edit, just saw you only want to replace the spider gears or trac lock or something something.
First off, the D44 was a late model year option, early "97" tj's which were manufactured with 96 build dates and early 97, the D44 was not an option, it was added mid-year, late year 97 to the TJ model as an option only for sports and sahara's. the amount of 97's that actually got the d44 was limited, so it is generally assumed that 98 was the first year for them.
if your re-gearing, at a minimum, you will need a ring and pinion set for the front and for the rear, as well as master install kits for each. depending on what gear ration you had, and what you're going to, you may also have to get a new carrier.
edit, just saw you only want to replace the spider gears or trac lock or something something.
