[999desmosedici]

The howling from the front has gradually become quite loud over the years -- 99 WJ is stock, 130K miles now.

I'm definitely going to the dealer -- don't know any other places in LA -- and getting the front differential serviced this week. I'm assuming the work will involve opening the front differential carrier, new bearings, new shims, & gears adjustment (hopefully they're sill good).

Are taking off wheels, calipers, rotors. required? If so, may I as well to swap for the new front hubs?

I had in mind getting a selectable locker (OX, or ARB) soon. I suppose I need to order them now, and have it put in at the same time? Does it fit in my stock Dana 30(?) carrier?

Shall I re-gear as well? Then, I need to get the bigger tires & lift kits first...

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I'm still new, to jeeps in general. I've yet taken it offroad, but I want to this summer -- I've been offroading only w/ mountain bikes & dirtbikes.

See, I wanted to do the below-listed things sooner or later at a comfortable & affordable paces -- but it seems that I should get the things done all at the same time & properly.

Can someone shed a light on the orders of things in this process?
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I feel that front differential service is a priority.

new front hubs
selectable locker (OX?) for front

bigger tires (moderate)
lift kits (moderate)

re-gearing (-- do I need to do this?)

rear differential service
selectable locker (OX?) for rear
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Thanks & Cheers

[ArloGuthroJeep]

Getting a selectable locker like an OX or ARB replaces the entire carrier.

Replacing the carrier isn't normal in a gear/diff job. This is the time to add a locker though - it is also the time to regear if you plan on running bigger tires. You'll need to do the rear as well at the same time.

Yes you need to remove the axle shafts to do a gear job. You can't remove the carrier otherwise. Make sure they replace the inner axle seals as well and do a full bearing job.

Doing this WILL NOT be cheap, especially from the dealer. They'll probably change you over a grand for parts and the same for labor I bet.

The only locker available for your rear axle is the Aussie locker and there are like 1 or 2 left since they are no longe rmanufactured. No OX in the rear for you, sorry.

Typically people run a 2" lift and 31" tires, then they move to a 4" lift and 32-33" tires, then they want a smoother ride and better flex so they move to 6" lift on long-arms and 33-35" tires.

Once you reach 33" tires, you'll want to regear to 4.56's

There must be a TON of offroad shops in SoCal so I find it hard to believe you can't find a offroad shop that could do the regear for cheaper then a dealerhsip.

[999desmosedici]

Thanks for the quick reply -- informative & right on. I see the picture...

Well, I guess I'll do more digging around, researching, & getting lost in the vast internet. Lift kits, tires, gear ratio...

BTW, I'm hesitant about getting a permanent locker -- my girl is not the best driver in the world, but she needs to drive the WJ in occasions. What's worse is that we are moving back to North East later this year... idiosyncratic front locker kicking-in unpredictably at a icy high speed curve???

[StrokedWJ]

The front diff service should only be a few hundred dollars.

Throw in the hubs, new gears F&R, lockers F&R, lift kit, tires, installation and setup, and you're getting up to a few thousand! Especially from the Stealership... Thats a HUGE difference.

[999desmosedici]

There must be a TON of offroad shops in SoCal so I find it hard to believe you can't find a offroad shop that could do the regear for cheaper then a dealerhsip.

I've been mostly hanging out so far with motorcycling crowd, that I actually don't know any shops or any buddies who know jeeps & trucks...

I'll browse through some magazines... & look around.

This will get expensive quickly, I shall find a shop then.

[999desmosedici]

Getting a selectable locker like an OX or ARB replaces the entire carrier.

The kits come with covers, correct? Replacing with what carrier? My WJ is Quadra-Trac2 with open differential.

Does "replacing the carrier: means almost half way to replacing the entire axles (JK axles, Ford 8.8)?

[999desmosedici]

I just gotta say -- this setting up & comprehending these offroading jeeps is quite a fog, much mysterious to me. Much more difficult than my experiences putting together VWs & bikes... still having fun, though.

[Envygreen]

Where in Socal are you?

[Wheelin98TJ]

Originally Posted by 999desmosedici

The kits come with covers, correct? Replacing with what carrier? My WJ is Quadra-Trac2 with open differential.

Does "replacing the carrier: means almost half way to replacing the entire axles (JK axles, Ford 8.8)?

The carrier is what the ring gear bolts to.

There are 2 types of lockers:

A full case locker (ARB, Ox, Detroit, etc.) replaces the carrier.

A lunchbox locker (Aussie, Lockrite, Powertrax, etc.) drops into the existing carrier and replaces the spider gears. This style locker can be installed without any ring and pinion adjustments.

[999desmosedici]

Originally Posted by Envygreen

Where in Socal are you?

I'm located in Los Angeles where every shop seem to charge Hollywood amount of $$$$$.

I think I want to drive out to a reputable shop or mechanic. If anyone has a lead, please let me & the board know.

Thanks.

[5.9 ANDY]

i have a few pices of advice, the first being.
1. DONT EVER GO TO THE STEALERSHIP FOR ANYTHING, EVER!!!!!

2. ask your slef this question, do i go wheeling enought to need lockers, or a lift kit? will i go so big that i need to regear?... if you answer yes to all or most of these questions..... then count on your bill being VERY EXPENSIVE!!
possibly have them do your own gears and lockers, and you can instal your own lift kit, if you get a bolt on one.

3. if you do a front locker, i would recomend an OX or an ARB, they are he top 2 lockers in the world. as far as wich is better, well...thast like saying " ford or chevy" it is possibly the most heated debate in the 4X4 community.