1998 TJ with stock 3.07 gears, I want to change or do I!

hoytpotater · #1 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 05:47 PM

I am looking to go from the stock 3.07 gearing to 4.10 or 4.56 gears and 32 or 33" tires. Is it worth the money to change the carrier and gears or find a different axle with the 4.10 gears from a 4 cylinder? I am seeing prices for the carrier at $299 and gears $199 not including the install prices. Would it be an option to add a locker instead of buying a carrier. Sorry, I am new to changing gearing and all this stuff. Any and all help is appreciated. Please welcome me to the forum with kind gestures.

Thanks

glenn beck · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 07:08 PM

what are you planning to do with the jeep. road/rock/mud or bigger tires?

if you know what you want to do with the jeep then the guys-girls on here can tell you the best set up for your jeep.

p.s i hate to ask but $200 is a little high for one axle gear set and a little low for a set of two? then theres bearings and seals?

HiHood · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 07:24 PM

I agree that it depends on what you are going to use it for. If it's a daily driver you wouldn't want to go too low with lockers. Mechanical lockers like Detroits will chew up your tires on pavement so you'ld be best running selectable lockers for a DD. Also, the bigger the tire, the less response the Jeep will have, so there are formulas to figure out what gearing you'll need.

WELCOME TO JEEPZ!!

Bounty__Hunter · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 10:26 PM

Welcome to the Z. If it's a street jeep, find a set of axles from a '97+ TJ with the 2.5L and 5spd, they will be 4.11 gears.

If you're gonna wheel it, consider a Ford 8.8 rear axle from a '95+ Explorer, they can be found used with 4.11 gears. Have a bracket kit welded on and you're good to go. Then regear the front axle or find an axle from a 4banger.

TJ_Jeep · #5 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 11:28 PM

I have 3.07 with my 35's and it does fine for me, i don't have any problems

Bounty__Hunter · #6 (**permalink**) 11-03-2009, 11:35 PM

You report having no problems, yet your sig indicates 5th gear is useless. I'd call that a problem, as well as having to slip the clutch to get going. Not to mention the engine operating below it's prime power range the majority of the time resulting in poor performance and mileage.

volaredon · #7 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 12:06 AM

yup; I have 3.07s in my 97 TJ as well, and even with only 235/75/15s my 5th gear is borderline useless; it WAS definitely useless, while I had the 31's on there. I have a set of 3.73s and bearings, crush collar etc for the rear; now to wait til I can afford the carrier (hopefully a "Posi"/Sure Grip at least) and the matching gears for the front diff and I'll be swapping them out. as long as my new to driving 16 yo son doesnt tear it up 1st, that is. he's just getting to a point with driving a stick, that I'm letting him drive it w/o me being along for the ride but still needs practice on it.

hoytpotater · #8 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn beck

what are you planning to do with the jeep. road/rock/mud or bigger tires?

if you know what you want to do with the jeep then the guys-girls on here can tell you the best set up for your jeep.

p.s i hate to ask but $200 is a little high for one axle gear set and a little low for a set of two? then theres bearings and seals?

I use the jeep for mainly hunting only. It's not a daily driver but I do like to drive it on nice cool days to work. I don't need something that is super extreme just want to have something practical for the weekend thing. We have an orv park close that I like to go to with my 4-wheeler and maybe my Jeep.

hoytpotater · #9 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:26 AM

The biggest tires I would want would be 33's and might just get 32's and a 2.5" lift.

TJ_Jeep · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounty__Hunter

You report having no problems, yet your sig indicates 5th gear is useless. I'd call that a problem, as well as having to slip the clutch to get going. Not to mention the engine operating below it's prime power range the majority of the time resulting in poor performance and mileage.

Thats not really a huge problem for me and i hardly slip the clutch to get it going, running 65mph in 4th is at 1900rpm which i get around 14mpg.

jps4jeep · #11 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJ_Jeep

Thats not really a huge problem for me and i hardly slip the clutch to get it going, running 65mph in 4th is at 1900rpm which i get around 14mpg.

While I think proper gearing is important, I do agree with this statement. I had 307's with 33's for quite some time, and up here in the hilly north east, driving was not that much different, and honestly the gearing never bothered me... except when off road.

if your not gonna wheel, look for 4cyl junk yard axles. if your gonna wheel, minimum 4.56 with lockers

TJ_Jeep · #12 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 11:38 PM

I have my 8.8 still waiting to go in with LSD and 4.10 and a 4.10 front gear out of a friends 4 cyl. But it sucks when your jeep is your ONLY vehicle lol.