99 XJ re-gear question...

[mhernden]

So... i've done quite a bit of work on my XJ.   Love it... really i do.  4" lift and 31" mud tires.  Looks great... rides great.  Honestly... on the street for the most part i have no issues with how it is geared.  

HOWEVER... i bought a tent trailer a few months ago.   Long story short...  my jeep suffers pulling the trailer up even the slightest hill.  The trailer is well under the limit for the jeeps towing ability.  

I know this is partly my own doing... larger tires... and a tow package was not part of the jeeps equipment.  

Soooo  im running 31" tires on what i believe are 3.55 gears.   Chrysler 8.25 in the back and im FAIRLY sure i checked the gearing info before.  

Now for the questions...  

Assuming that once i finish my mods next year which will include fender trim and flares... i see myself wanting to run 33" mud tires.  

1.)  What gear ratio should i go with to ensure that i can turn the tires but also make towing easier on my poor XJ?
2.)  Anyone know of a good place to have this kind of work done?  (i've got quotes from Modern and National already for labour... just curious if anyone has other suggestions)
3.)  Is there anything that im missing in this whole thought process?  Will this regear actually solve the problems that im having for the most part?

And before someone asks... yes... a trans cooler is scheduled to be installed shortly before i end up needing to rebuild that as well.  

Thanks to anyone who answers back on this one.  I know there are people in this group that have far more knowledge in this area than i do.  

[cLAY]

Go as low as you can go, 4.88s I think.

[BlackYJ]

The 8.25 is limited to 4.56s so go with 4.56s

Also there are people on the board here who can do gear swaps and will probably do it for cheaper than Modern and National will charge.  I have had gears done at National and no issues at all.

[mhernden]

And for the final piece of the puzzle...  the front axle is a D30 high pinion...  given the carrier split just so happens to be right at my existing gearing of 3.55... i assume that means i need a new carrier to support the 4.56s. 

Now...  im only going by pictures...  but these carriers sure look a lot like some of the lockers i see out there.  I cant for the life of me imagine how a carrier AND a locker would fit into the pod... so that leads me to believe that unless its a lunchbox type locker that fits in the carrier itself... i could kill two birds with one stone and get say... an OX brand locker that supports the 4.56 gear which would cover the carrier change AND the locker upgrade that has been on my list of things to do. 

Am i correct in my line of thoughts?

[fug]

You are correct.... a locker IS a carrier.  So if you need to buy a new carrier... and you can afford it ... you may as well get yourself a locker.

[mhernden]

Might push my project start date back a couple weeks... but if im in there (or have someone in there) it seems like a wise choice to do it all at once. 

Thanks again for the information. 

[tubby]

I would seriously look into another brand of selectable locker for your D-30. I was in Colorado this year shopping for an OX Locker , and encountered some difficulties with the company. It seems Ox has been going through some major restructuring over the last few years. They have had problems with production and availability for various applications. Warranty issues with the cables, moving parts etc. have plagued the company. Several authorized dealers across North America have discontinued carrying this line of locker.

You may want to look into an ARB or E-Locker as some choices. The Auburn Ected is too be avoided at all costs. Several shops I know; have had huge returns for warranty work.

Good Luck

[BlackYJ]

Might push my project start date back a couple weeks... but if im in there (or have someone in there) it seems like a wise choice to do it all at once. 

Thanks again for the information. 

You always just regear the rear first and remove the front driveshaft.  Then regear the front when you have the parts.

[mhernden]

No front shaft means no 4x4ing. 

No shaft and no 4x4ing make homer something something...    Go crazy?  Dont mind if i do!!!   

Ahhh good old simpsons.   

I'm all about doing it once and doing it right.  Its worth taking the time and being happy with the final product. 

[Immortal]

Noel.... why ya gotta be like that?