scout dana 44 gearing

[unionjack]

ok im looking to change the gearing in my scout 44 axles to the 4.09 from the current 3.54, first of all i need some opinions on whether this is a good avenue to explore, secondly where to get the parts and thirdly is it a huge undertaking or something someone like me with moderate mechanical knowledge could do quite easy, any feedback or input would be awesome.


thx
darren

[hps4evr]

i think its a great idea. if i remember correctly you allready have a V8 in your jeep so if you go too low of gears you'll lose your hwy gearing. 4.09 should work well. i have them in my jeep(4.10), with a 4.0L and 33" tires. great all around gearing.
your dana 44's arent anything real special so getting gears isnt a hard thing to do. if you dont allready have a locker, id suggest doing so now.
now that i think of it. i thin kyou might have to. there is a case split on what gears you can use in your dana 44's. and i think it splits at about 3.73. so one case for 3.73 and numerically lower gears... and one case for numerically higher gears. so, id say yer better off doin g a detroit out back and a tru-trac or detroit out front. more expensive yes, but you're in there anyways. do it right the first time. now putting it all together and making it work right... if you've never done it. then you might want to call a buddy that has and supply him with a lot of beer. or, gat a good gear set-up book... or, pay a shop to install them. i know at national we charge about 8 hours per differential to set-up and install.  either way, good luck:)

[unionjack]

thx man much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LanceM]

I've done the swap a couple years back with my scout 44's, went from 3.07 to 4.09 but i searched and found a guy selling used 4.09 ring/pinion with carriers for both axles.  And when i pulled the old bearing off the carrier i kept track of what shims were for what side and only had to a just the shims once after that, pinion took a couple more tries(but maybe i got lucy).
Took me and a buddy about 3 hours each to do the axles but we also installed mini spools to both and also had them up on a work bench, wouldn't have wanted to do it laying on the ground. Pulling and pressing the bearing off and on the carrier adjusting shims is about the only real time consuming part, only thing i really recommend is a good puller so your not destroying bearing every time you adjust shims :wink: .

LanceM