What brand of gears should I use?

I'm getting ready to regear my TJ. I do rock crawling at least once a month -- maybe more. It is my daily driver. It's a 2.5L, 5spd. I have 33" tires. It has 59k miles. I can't think of any other facts that matter here...

So, I'm going with 4.88s. No question. The question is, what brand do I buy?? I've heard great things about Yukon, but haven't heard anything about any other brands -- good or bad. A fellow club member sells parts and I asked him for a quote. Here's what I got. The parts would all be Genuine Gear or Precision Gear:

Dana 35 Mater Install Kit is $83.95 Dana 30 Mater Install Kit is $65.79 Dana 30 4.88 R & P TJ is $139.40 Air Down Guage is $12.99 ( Filler for Free Frt)

Total Part is $302.13 Free Shipping over $300 Uncle Sam is $ 24.17 ________________ Grand Total $326.30

By the way -- I'm getting the rears for free (buddy of mine won a gift certificate he isn't going to use, so he gave it to me for my b-day).

Should I spend more for Yukons? Are these OK? Thoughts, suggestions? Thanks!

Eric

99 TJ SE
Reply to
Eric
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Reply to
L.W.( ßill ) Hughes III

If you're not installing the gears yourself, and I strongly recommend against you doing so unless you already know how to do so, I would have the installer provide the gears. You can request a particular brand and he will probably use that brand unless he has had too many bad experiences with it, but just make sure he provides the gears. If you buy them yourself to save a few bucks and there is any problem, the installer will just point fingers at the gears YOU provided him and then YOU will be the one to sort through who pays what. If he provides the gears, then there will be no finger-pointing.

I'd say go with all Spicer gearing but Spicer doesn't make 4.88 for both of your axles. I'm no fan of Yukon because they're an import but then most (aside from Spicer) are today. And no matter what a few old guys who are out of touch with what really works, don't worry about 4.88 gears being too weak. They hold up just fine, even my 4.88 gearing with

35" tires and plenty of rock crawling are doing just fine. :)

Jerry

Eric wrote:

Reply to
Jerry Bransford

C'mon Bill... not everyone can afford a "new" axle AND gears (good luck finding a D44 already geared to 4.88). I'm not looking to compete here, and I'm pretty easy on the throttle. Not looking to build a monster, but trying to improve my daily driving and get a lower first gear.

Besides, I wheel with a number of guys who have the D35c w/4.88s. Some of them for years. And no one has had any problems. Yes, I know they break. I know they're a terrible axle. When I break it, I'll upgrade to a D44 or

8.8. Until then...

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Reply to
Eric

Two problems:

  1. I have no clue who's installing the gears.

  1. I'm buying the gears at two places -- the free set is coming from a shop that hasn't gotten the highest ratings from folks in my club. But I'm just getting the R&P from them anyway. My wife is buying the other R&P and install kit for my B-day. She said she can't afford the install, but would help me by buying a couple of pieces.

I'm really hoping I can get a specific person to install them -- but not sure yet. If I waited until I had all the cash, I'd never get it done. I've been talking about gears for quite a while now... if all I have to save up for is the install, that's easier. Otherwise, SOMETHING is always coming up.

Eric

Reply to
Eric

Reply to
L.W.( ßill ) Hughes III

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