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Author Topic: Next Upgrade opinions?  (Read 726 times)

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Offline dac

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Next Upgrade opinions?
« on: February 19, 2009, 10:50:11 AM »
My current set-up is an 02 TJ sport D30/D44 with tracloc and 3.73's  33" Cooper STT's, some performance mods so highway driving isn't that bad.

1.  Detroit Truetracs ($650/each from Mopac) and 4.10's as 4.56's would be a little too much for me and ARB's are way too much money.  I'm thinking it would be about $3300 installed for truetracs front and rear.  From what I can tell ARB's would be another $1600 (for parts guessing $1800/each new plus pump)  Install would be about $700 per axle from a Buddy that runs his own garage.

2.  Roof rack, probably Kongo Cage, would come in useful for taking the wife and kids anywhere and keeping gear more so clean than a hitch mounted rack.

3.  Winch, I was thinking Warn 9.5TI, I don't want to go cheapie because I'd probably burn it out the first time I use it.

4.  Armor, hadn't really thought about anything other that ARB diff covers so oil changes are easier with the rotated axles.

Would Tretracs and 4.10's be worth it over stock for highway and light trail use or should I do other stuff.  Keep in mind I can live with 3.73's and 33" tires, going 110+ against a head wind really isn't an issue in 5th.  Only thing that would be nice is a slower 4hi crawl speed so the trail doesn't seem so bumpy.  Mind you I could use 4lo too.

*edit*  I was leaning towards a good limited slip over lockers because I am looking for a little extra traction but not adding a whole lot of stress to the drive line.  Probably won't go over 33" tires for that matter too.

What do you guys/gals think?
« Last Edit: February 19, 2009, 11:15:56 AM by DAC »
This is not 'Nam, this is wheeling.  There are rules.

Offline BlackYJ

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Re: Next Upgrade opinions?
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2009, 12:38:22 PM »
My $0.02 would be to just get a rear ARB and re-gear to 4.10s or 4.56s.  If you have plans to go to 35s at all, I would go with 4.56s and then you will be set.  I have 4.10s with 33s right now and it is decent but at times I wish I had just a little more.   With just a rear locker it is suprising how munch more terrain you can conquer and if you just want something for mild to moderate wheeling a rear locker will be more than enough.  With a D44 and only 33s you will not have to worry about extra stress.  Also I was once looking at going with a LS but was talked out of it because you can easily out grow the LS.

I would skip the roof rack because you are just adding to brutal aerodynamics and power will suffer.  I would recommend a hitch rack or a rack that attaches to a sway away tire carrier

Any warn winch is great and from what I have heard the 9.5tis are a good one.  My preference is the 8274 but the 9.5 is still a very good winch

As for diff cover, the ARBs are a very nice cover but if you want to save some cash, have a look at Solid's covers

I would also look at getting a SYE kit for your tcase as they are a great investment
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Offline Bnine

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Re: Next Upgrade opinions?
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2009, 03:28:12 PM »
I would recommend a minimum of 456. Your jeep and wallet will thank you for it.

With the added weight or tires, suspension, winches, racks, etc etc, a 4.0 needs a bit more rpm on the highway to maintain effeciency.

The numbers I come up with for your ARB's installed is 4000$ including the large compressor that airs tires, or 3850 with the smaller locker compressor only.

The detroits work out to 2850 installed.

Both include gears, bearings, install labor, etc etc.

Basically you are looking at about 5-600$ more per axle for the arb's, depending on what compressor you want.
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Offline dac

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Re: Next Upgrade opinions?
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2009, 04:25:55 PM »
Thanks fellas,

I've got a sye and cv driveshaft.  For what it's worth I think re-gearing is on the bottom of the list now due to cost.  :-\

I'll probably end up going with some basic protection, diff covers, steering brace and cover..... winch and fabbing some sort of jerrycan mount.
This is not 'Nam, this is wheeling.  There are rules.