Axle & gear question

Off the showroom floor '05 TJ has heavy duty D44 rear with 3.73 gears. From other set ups I've seen I think it has D30 front but I do know it's 3.73 gears. Running 33's with 3 inches of lift. Talking with other Rock Raiders I'm hearing this is a pretty good stock set up with potential. On a budget so serious upgrades would come gradually. Couple of questions: is there a way to tell if the front is limited slip? Would this be a good thing? What would be the next step in upgrades? I know it needs skids...some good reasonable ones that don't require fab work?

Any ideas or thoughts would be great.

V

I know on the yj's, there is a tag on the cover of the rear diff saying that it was a limited slip.
Also, you can lift up the rear and spin one of the tires, if the other one spins the same way, then you have a limited slip, if it spins the other way, then its open. Also, you should have the window sticker if you bought it new, it would say if you had one.

Skid row skid plates are top notch, especially for the engine. There are a couple of members running them. Im going to buy one in the upcoming months. Kilby gas skids are also highly recommended. Both will set you back about $250-$300 each.

The front axle is a dana 30 and will have the same gearing as the rear. Gearing has to be the same in both axles so the transfer case doesn't explode.

As far as upgrades: as mentioned by sonofsam02, Kilby and Skidrow make nice products. I would recommend engine and gas tank skids for sure. I would also look into upgrading diff covers and tie rod as well.

sonofsam02 mentioned how to check for limited-slip...If you don't have it, it would make nice upgrade for a daily driver. You can run limited slip in the front and rear axles (or LS in the front and locker in the rear) and they are usually reasonably priced. You could also up grade axle ratio to 4.11's to get power back to stock since you increased tire size.

Just my thoughts....

Hey V, I think your on the right path with your thoughts of skids. For the type of wheeling that your doing and the simple fact that you dont seem to like to beat on your jeep you should price out a couple that you like and when you have a selection made ask us about it. There aren't many companies I'm going to say stay away from. The next thing other than skids I would say is a winch. A nice Winch will do alot of good and if one of those Items you don't use alot but when you need it, its a blessing. Personally I say stick with warn cause as long as you keep them clean and in working order they will be good to you. You can get a M8000 for around 500-600 bucks. I think if you focus on skids and a winch you will gain a great piece of mind wheeling and be able to move on to other mods with confidence that you covered you ground bases well. After that its on to lockers and a mass of tools and maybe even a long arm kit the list never ends.

leave the gears alone for right now, run it maybe put a luchbox locker in the 30 and save for a pair of waggy 44s and build them. there is no sense in dumping money in a 30. and all of those skid plates add weight, get a belly up. winch and be done with it

My name is Sean btw. I dont know what your budget is but a jeep with 33 and skids can make it up places that a 36 with no skids can, especially if it is a dd. The weight to protection value isnt all that bad

Quote :

My name is Sean btw. I dont know what your budget is but a jeep with 33 and skids can make it up places that a 36 with no skids can, especially if it is a dd. The weight to protection value isnt all that bad

I wouldn't go that far. But the type of wheeling ya do, skid it up don't worry about lockers just yet

ok,
bad example
but my point was that with skids, your not so worried about damaging the undercarraige of your jeep becasue it is protected.

its also generally cheaper to go with skids than a long arm kit.

what all does the belly up protect I have the factory skids for the transfer case and one for the gas tank both have dents from this weekend but still look like there in good shape. i know i need oil pan and steering box protection among other thingsbut those are the 2 im going for first

Belly up is a whole nuther can of worms. Google search and you will get tons of info regarding why it is a fantastic yet complicated mod. With the original question, no you do not have a LS in your front Dana 30 and yes the gears match the rear. If you are only planning on mild wheeling (greens/blues) then add a lunch box locker to your rear 44, skid row engine skid and your choice gas tank skid and rock it. If you plan on going more advanced let us know because that will again open Pandora's box.

Damn!! thnx for all the input...I figured I would get so many different opinions. Yes, greens/blues...for now...it's my DD but would like to play in the blues regularly. Looking for another Jeep to beat the hell out of but that's on the wish list for now. Soooo, for the time being I'll bang up the dd. Gonna get the skids and go. What's a lunch box locker? It's been mentioned a couple of times.

lunchbox lockers are like lockright, powertrax, or aussie lockers that just replace the spider gears inside the carrier.

I just noticed your tag Grayson. I still can't belive that guy said that.

md4wheelin wrote:

I just noticed your tag Grayson. I still can't belive that guy said that.

haha me neither.