Need Gearing Help/Advice

[dave]

Ok so, the final plan for my rig is 6.5 inches of lift, trimmed fenders, 35 x12.50s , a dana 44 , a detroit and 4.88 gears.

My problem is i have to drive cross country in this rig.. not something i wanted to do on 35s. i took the dana44 which i purchased apart to clean it and inspect it. needless to say it is 3.07s. my front diff is stuffed with 3.55s.

my question is.. will i be thoroughly frustrated with my rig by the time i get to arizona if i swap in the dana 44 and leave the 3.07s? should i bite the bullet and put in the 4.88s and make the trek with 35s ( and risk hemmorhoids ) .. i want to make this the shortest 2500 miles that i can.

TIA for your help/ opinions.

btw i currently am running a 3.5 inch lifts and 31x 10.50 bfg all terrains with the stock 3.55 gears. the tranny is an auto.

 

[woody]

Hmmm, :idea: is it out of the question to do the XC voyage with your existing setup, then buy the 35s, lift, regear etc...when you reach your destination? Probably be happier & better MPG, plus save that much wear on the new rubber, gears etc...

Since you have the 44, either have it shipped (built or not) or tote it with you. If you mismatch gears for the voyage, you will be SOL if ya need 4WD for whatever reason. (3.07 & 3.55 would be "maybe" ok for a couple of feet if you was stuck in the side-ditch, but...)

3.07 would IMHO sawk xtra bad with 35s and an AW4. I ran 33" on my 89 4.0 5 speed MJ w/3.07 and it was a slug. 4.56 made it a LOT more fun to drive :lol: and it turned approx 3000 rpm@80 on the interstate in 5th. I averaged approx 17 MPG with a 5" -+ lift & 33x12.5 MTs. I am gonna do a AW4/242 swap and retain the 4.56:1 to continue w 33" on this truck.

My 89 4.0/AW4/231/3.55:1 is also a slug. OD gear is basically worthless other than for downhills or semi-flat interstate. Been getting about 17 MPG in this one too with, 4"/ 33x12.5" and lots of tools-fluids-parts aboard. Im soon to be installing 4.56:1 in this one also. (already have a built front axe to swap in, otherwise would have considered 4.88)

The shortest 2500 miles IMO would be building it when ya get there if it drives well as is...unless you have to build it before. 35" with an AW4 and a 3.07 rear would be a l-o-n-g trip...If you have a trailer to tote, it'd be a lot of work on the tranny as well.

HTH

 

[dave]

well if i do slap on the 35s.. the 4.88 r&p would go in with em. i just dont know what would be more comfortable.... driving out on 31s with 3.07 in the back or driving out on 35s with 4.88s.. i havent bought the tires yet so i have to make the decision. i dont have the means to take the d44 out there with me being that i have to fit myself and whatever worldy possesions i have in that xj ;\ the lift will be going on and the d44 has to go in prior to the trip... the question really is.. do i build it here and go long distance on 35s with 4.88s and a detroit or make the haul on mismatched rears with 3.07 open carrier pushing me.

 

[Eagle]

The tire size to RPM spreadsheet I worked up only goes up to 33" tires, but at a guess I'd say running 35" tires and 4.88 grears, 70 MPH cruise would be about 2300 RPM. That's not very different from a stock automatic. I don't see what the problem is, unless you're going to be buying mud tires, which are rather noisy on the highway.

It's unlikely that you would need 4WD on a cross-country trek "with all of your worldly possessions," so there's absolutely no reason not to toss in the Dana 44, keep the 3.07 gears and 31" tires for the trip, and have it re-geared after you get there.

 

[gearwhine]

You are making a long trek...probably the same road that seesm like forever. If you're 31's and 3.55's work well do the trek with that set-up and wear out the tires you won't be using anymore rather than wearing out those new expensive 35's. Just my opinion.

But now I see you can't carry the 44 with you. I went with 3.07's and 31's for a while, and really didn't think it was THAT bad. I would pull the front driveshaft...throw the 44 in..and make the drive with the 3.07 and 31's and finish the work once out there. Hope this helps. _nicko_

 

[Mark WNC]

Also, when you do the lift you may have vibe issues to work out
which can be easy or very frustrating just depends on the set up.
just my two cents.
MA

 

[ROCKREADYXJ]

amtrac will let you put your jeep in a rail car and you can sleep the whole way out. So worry about it when you get there. You'll have a few hours to sleep and dream about it.
Good Luck!
All Aboard!

 

[Eagle]

[quote:7ccb5b29e4="ROCKREADYXJ"]amtrac will let you put your jeep in a rail car and you can sleep the whole way out. So worry about it when you get there. You'll have a few hours to sleep and dream about it.
Good Luck!
All Aboard![/quote:7ccb5b29e4]

Really? I know about the car train from Virginia to Florida, but I didn't know you could do this [i:7ccb5b29e4]across[/i:7ccb5b29e4] the country. Do you have any further info, or any idea what it costs?

 

[Easy Xjer]

Amtrak

http://www.amtrak.com/plan/autotrainpol.html

 

[Eagle]

Thanks, Dan. Lorton, VA, to Sanford, FL, non-stop. That's what I thought. No mention of an auto train going cross-country.