L.W.(=?iso-8859-1?Q?=DFill?=) Hughes III

Real Jeeps run 5.38s with 32" tires.
God Bless America, ßill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Tony M wrote:
>
> I haven't had anything done with the gears. I have 3.73 from the factory (I
> think). Do the gears have to be changed with a locker? I have new BFG AT
> 31" now, and they work really well with this ratio.
>
> I'm really looking for a cost-effective way to get lockers, and still have a
> daily driver. I've heard a locker in front wouldn't affect driving on the
> street, but a locker in the back would be noticeable around corners and when
> it unloads.
>
> Tony
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0405210606.7059adc4@posting.google.c om...
> > I once thought that would be cool, too. But that was because I wanted
> > my rear D44 up front and to put something like a Ford 9-inch in the
> > rear.
> >
> > I think the amount of work (if it is even possible) you're talking
> > about is more than its worth. Also, I'm pretty sure the axle tubes are
> > different sized, as well (in diameter). So you couldn't reuse the
> > front tubes with the 44 pumpkin. And you can use the tubes from the
> > rear, since the rear pumpkin is centered and the front is offset on
> > the driver-side. So you'd have to source some front D44 axle tubes,
> > anyway. And unless you got some out of a TJ, you'd also have to get
> > all the suspension mounts, etc. welded onto those tubes. You'd also
> > need to buy new D44 front axleshafts, as well (or again, find some
> > from a TJ with a front D44, which resricts you to either a junked
> > Rubicon or a custom built front D44 from another TJ.) What you're
> > proposing is just a huge can of worms, and I can't see how it would be
> > cost-effective.
> >
> > And, in your case, I especially would not do this. If you want a D44
> > front AND rear, and you already have one in the rear, you'd probably
> > stand a chance of getting away CHEAPER with getting a locker installed
> > in the rear, and buying a 44 for the front. Don't mess with trying to
> > move a perfectly fine rear 44 around.
> >
> > Do you already have the gears done? If not, you're gonna have to pay
> > someone to crack open that 44 and change out the gears (unless you
> > know how to do it yourself), anyway, and it costs nothing more in
> > labor to get a locker dropped in at the same time.
> >
> > Just my $0.02.
> >
> > /Bob
> >
> > "Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
> news:<7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>...
> > > I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
> plan
> > > is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the
> rear
> > > D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> > > front?
> > >
> > > Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is
> sure
> > > to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Tony

Jerry Bransford

Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
plan
> is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the rear
> D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> front?
>
> Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is sure
> to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Tony
>
>

Jerry Bransford

Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
plan
> is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the rear
> D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> front?
>
> Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is sure
> to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Tony
>
>

Jerry Bransford

Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
plan
> is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the rear
> D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> front?
>
> Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is sure
> to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Tony
>
>

Jerry Bransford

Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)

Jerry
--
Jerry Bransford
To email, remove 'me' from my email address
N6TAY, PP-ASEL
See the Geezer Jeep at
http://members.***.net/jerrypb/

"Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
plan
> is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the rear
> D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> front?
>
> Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is sure
> to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Tony
>
>

Tony M

My idea sounds like a can of worms (or can of money). My best bet will
probably put an EZ locker on the existing front axle.

Thanks all,
Tony

"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:Iexrc.1301$PU5.333@fed1read06...
> Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
> steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.***.net/jerrypb/
>
> "Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
> news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> > I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
> plan
> > is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the
rear
> > D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> > front?
> >
> > Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is
sure
> > to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tony
> >
> >
>
>

Tony M

My idea sounds like a can of worms (or can of money). My best bet will
probably put an EZ locker on the existing front axle.

Thanks all,
Tony

"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:Iexrc.1301$PU5.333@fed1read06...
> Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
> steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.***.net/jerrypb/
>
> "Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
> news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> > I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
> plan
> > is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the
rear
> > D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> > front?
> >
> > Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is
sure
> > to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tony
> >
> >
>
>

Tony M

My idea sounds like a can of worms (or can of money). My best bet will
probably put an EZ locker on the existing front axle.

Thanks all,
Tony

"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:Iexrc.1301$PU5.333@fed1read06...
> Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
> steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.***.net/jerrypb/
>
> "Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
> news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> > I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
> plan
> > is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the
rear
> > D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> > front?
> >
> > Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is
sure
> > to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tony
> >
> >
>
>

Tony M

My idea sounds like a can of worms (or can of money). My best bet will
probably put an EZ locker on the existing front axle.

Thanks all,
Tony

"Jerry Bransford" <jerrypb@mecox.net> wrote in message
news:Iexrc.1301$PU5.333@fed1read06...
> Don't forget that the front axle is steerable and the rear axle isn't
> steerable... they're not easily swapped in other words. :)
>
> Jerry
> --
> Jerry Bransford
> To email, remove 'me' from my email address
> N6TAY, PP-ASEL
> See the Geezer Jeep at
> http://members.***.net/jerrypb/
>
> "Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
> news:7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net...
> > I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
> plan
> > is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the
rear
> > D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> > front?
> >
> > Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is
sure
> > to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tony
> >
> >
>
>

Bob

I'm actually unsure of which lockers would require re-setting up the
gears and which wouldn't. I know some "lunchbox" automatically
engaging (read: always on) lockers can just be dropped in without
messing with the Ring&Pinion setup. Others do required messing with
it, though, as I understand it.

I knew I needed better gears (for my 33" tires and possible future
35") and wanted selectable lockers (ended up with ARBs front and
rear), so I just always planned on (and ended up) having the shop do
both at the same time, which saved on labor; they only had to open my
diff and mess with stuff in it all at once.

A note on putting a locker only in front. Yes, it will be less of a
problem in 2high on the road since it won't receive any torque input
and will stay unlocked. Yes, a rear automatic locker will drive
differently as it unloads around corners. However, if you ever have to
engage 4wd (such as on snowy/icy days), that front automatic locker
would likely make your jeep a beast to steer. Even if I'd gone the
automatic locker route rather than selectable, I would've put one in
the rear long before putting one in the front. It's difficult to steer
a rig in 4low that's locked in front, especially in high-traction 4x4
environments such as Moab's slickrock.

Ok I'm going to stop now, as I just realized I'm starting to
inadvertantly reopen the debate of front vs. rear lockers / selectable
vs. automatic lockers. Not a debate I'm trying to restart right now
;-). You can do plenty of google searches of old threads on this NG to
see where those sorts of debates have gone. =)

Good luck with what you decide!


"Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message news:<B4rrc.141$o97.56@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>...
> I haven't had anything done with the gears. I have 3.73 from the factory (I
> think). Do the gears have to be changed with a locker? I have new BFG AT
> 31" now, and they work really well with this ratio.
>
> I'm really looking for a cost-effective way to get lockers, and still have a
> daily driver. I've heard a locker in front wouldn't affect driving on the
> street, but a locker in the back would be noticeable around corners and when
> it unloads.
>
> Tony
>
> "Bob" <magicclaw@mac.com> wrote in message
> news:47b769ae.0405210606.7059adc4@posting.google.c om...
> > I once thought that would be cool, too. But that was because I wanted
> > my rear D44 up front and to put something like a Ford 9-inch in the
> > rear.
> >
> > I think the amount of work (if it is even possible) you're talking
> > about is more than its worth. Also, I'm pretty sure the axle tubes are
> > different sized, as well (in diameter). So you couldn't reuse the
> > front tubes with the 44 pumpkin. And you can use the tubes from the
> > rear, since the rear pumpkin is centered and the front is offset on
> > the driver-side. So you'd have to source some front D44 axle tubes,
> > anyway. And unless you got some out of a TJ, you'd also have to get
> > all the suspension mounts, etc. welded onto those tubes. You'd also
> > need to buy new D44 front axleshafts, as well (or again, find some
> > from a TJ with a front D44, which resricts you to either a junked
> > Rubicon or a custom built front D44 from another TJ.) What you're
> > proposing is just a huge can of worms, and I can't see how it would be
> > cost-effective.
> >
> > And, in your case, I especially would not do this. If you want a D44
> > front AND rear, and you already have one in the rear, you'd probably
> > stand a chance of getting away CHEAPER with getting a locker installed
> > in the rear, and buying a 44 for the front. Don't mess with trying to
> > move a perfectly fine rear 44 around.
> >
> > Do you already have the gears done? If not, you're gonna have to pay
> > someone to crack open that 44 and change out the gears (unless you
> > know how to do it yourself), anyway, and it costs nothing more in
> > labor to get a locker dropped in at the same time.
> >
> > Just my $0.02.
> >
> > /Bob
> >
> > "Tony M" <reddog01@metacrawler.com> wrote in message
> news:<7Bgrc.7429$dq4.339@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>...
> > > I have the factory D44 lsd in back and would like to get a locker. My
> plan
> > > is, if possible, to get a new D44 in back with a locker, and put the
> rear
> > > D44 I have now up front. Can a rear differential be made to work in the
> > > front?
> > >
> > > Ideal situation: 2 D44 electracs or air-actuated lockers, but that is
> sure
> > > to get a little pricy. Any diff upgrade suggestions are appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Tony