Planning on re-gearing

bmxrules39 · 09-01-2009, 02:33 PM

The time has come to re-gear the jeep and I just have a few questions.
(4.0, 5sp, 33"s, 3.55's)

1.) This jeep sees a lot of freeway, so I don't want to be at too high of RPM's, but I'm thinking I might step it up to 35's eventually, I'm going to have the 33's for about another year or more, so will I be at too high of RPM's on the freeway if I go 4.88's to prepare for the 35's

2.) Will I need a new carrier? Can I get one from a Junk Yard jeep with 3.73's? (or 4.10's which i think are in cherokees with a 4cyl?)

3.) I want to setup my gears alone, if I get a gauge is it really THAT difficult to do? If I'm within spec what else can go wrong?

Well that's all my questions for now, I'm planning on going with a S35 kit, or Dana 44 if it comes along, so don't worry about me breaking my stock D35

Thanks for all the help

**Imped** · 09-01-2009, 03:27 PM

If you have to ask, good luck. 4.88's if you're definitely planning on 35s. 4.56 if not. Yes, you'll need a new carrier. I believe the break is 3.55 so yes, 3.73 will work.

Offroadchris · 09-01-2009, 04:04 PM

if your ganna regear your own axles... check the write ups on it... if your still ganna dare to do it, make sure you have money for a new diff, and make sure you park it in a spot it will be easy to tow out... otherwise do a write up on it! i was ganna do it my self. my brother and father are mechanics... after talking to them im saving up for a shop to do it

bmxrules39 · 09-01-2009, 04:53 PM

Everyone says it's so hard, but my cousin tackled his own, he didn't know much about it, but his jeep is going strong after about a year.

I read this thread and it just doesn't seem that difficult, a little math and some taking apart and putting back together and I just saved $1000

fiveoverr · 09-01-2009, 08:51 PM

staying 33s go 4.56 thinking bigger down the road? 4.88

mobyjeep · 09-01-2009, 09:03 PM

I have set up 5 diffs now. There is no magic to it, just take your time. I have found it takes a good 8 - 10 hours for me to get everything into spec. Buy good tools and don't rush. Read a good set of instructions like the ones available from Yukon Gear:
http://www.ringpinion.com/Content/HowTo/TechnicalInstructions/Yukon_Installation_Kit_Instructions.pdf

If the instructions make sense to you, you can do it!

Offroadchris · 09-01-2009, 09:03 PM

hmm doesnt look that hard. the way people explained it to me made it sound really really hard. i may just try it. wondering if the 35 is simular to the 44

bmxrules39 · 10-21-2009, 12:36 AM

I still think I'm going to try this myself. But after looking at this gear chart I think I'm going to with 4.56's since I do drive on the freeway about 40% of the time.

Just waiting for a 44 or a super shaft kit to come my way

**NotURMailman** · 10-21-2009, 06:47 AM

Buy the book on differentials from Randy's Ring and Pinion. Read it in detail and then decide if you want to do it your self. It is definitely helpful to have a good clamshell bearing puller and a pinion depth gage. It is necessary to have a decent dial indicator with a magnetic base and a set of feeler gages and a dial type inch pound torque wrench. A case spreader is also very helpful for Dana axles. If you decide to buy all of that, you haven't saved yourself any money from paying someone to do it. If you think you may do it more than once then that's a different story. Not trying to discourage you, just putting that out there.

bmxrules39 · 11-18-2009, 12:36 AM

I want to re-open this thread because I just bought a D44, and the ring gear had some chipped teeth. So I'll be re-gearing it and my D30 to 456's, and a few questions have come up.

Will my 3.55 carrier work? I think it will but not sure if it's 3.55 and down or the other way around.

Does the D44 have a crush sleeve, what is it?

What is bearing preload?

and prbly the dumbest questions but I cannot figure this out:
how do you setup backlash?
All I can find is write-ups that say "set backlash"

OldFatGuy · 11-18-2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmxrules39

I want to re-open this thread because I just bought a D44, and the ring gear had some chipped teeth. So I'll be re-gearing it and my D30 to 456's, and a few questions have come up.

Will my 3.55 carrier work? I think it will but not sure if it's 3.55 and down or the other way around.

Does the D44 have a crush sleeve, what is it?

What is bearing preload?

and prbly the dumbest questions but I cannot figure this out:
how do you setup backlash?
All I can find is write-ups that say "set backlash"

Your 3.55 carrier will work if you buy gears meant for a Rubicon. They will have a thicker ring gear. Otherwise, you need a new carrier. You will still need a new carrier in front.

Yes, it has a crush sleeve. It's a collapsible spacer that goes between the pinion bearings to set the bearing preload.

Preload is the "tightness" of the bearings.

Backlash is set by shimming the carrier side bearings to move the ring gear closer to or farther away from the pinion.

I've set up probably a couple dozen differentials. It's not difficult, but it does require patience, attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, and a few special tools. You'll also want a nice, clean workspace.

riverboyTJSport · 11-18-2009, 07:51 AM

My Jeep is a DD and sees more road than offroad right now. Im running 35's with 4.11's. I think its perfect, plenty get up and go and can cruise 75 all day long under 3000rpm.

**NotURMailman** · 11-18-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmxrules39

...Does the D44 have a crush sleeve...?...

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFatGuy

...Yes, it has a crush sleeve...

A Dana 44 rear axle does not have a crush sleeve.

OldFatGuy · 11-18-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotURMailman

A Dana 44 rear axle does not have a crush sleeve.

Oops, my bad.

bmxrules39 · 11-19-2009, 01:22 AM

good that it's not supposed to have a crush sleeve because I wondered where it was. The whole thing is stripped right now and I never saw one.

Thanks for the reply's, one more question do you have to keep pulling and pressing the carrier bearings in order to set backlash? This was where I thought they had to be, but that seems like such a pain. Plus I don't (yet) have a bearing press or pull.