2.72s in my 88's D44s...why?

[David Simon]

I've been so busy with the rebuild I never looked before. My 1988 GW has 2.72s in the axles. I even got my wife to look because I'm dyslexic. As far as I can tell they're stock, I know it came with a factory tow package, the PO gave me the original window sticker. I plan on lifting it 3-4 inches, putting 31x10.50s on it and using it for towing a CJ my wife doesn't know I'm going to buy yet.
Is a gear swap in my future?
Again, why 2.72s?
I think that's the ratio on the TC in my TJ.
David

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98 Cherokee (wife's)
97 TJ with all the goodies
88 GW
NP229/TF727/D44s
TFI Upgrade
Free-flow cat, Flowmaster 70, 2 1/2" exhaust

[Snakeyes_Tx]

Because Jeep got really lame in the later years and wanted gas mileage out of these moving barns. the optional gears weren't much better.. a mere 3.31.

Go with 3.73's if that's the biggest tires you intend to run and tow.



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http://www.virtue.nu/yazahx/rand/sig.jpg

Snakeyes_Tx
86 J-20 "The Rusty Dinosaur"
360/727/208/44HD/60 <- 2nd of all of them.
"If you don't know what the numbers mean, you don't need to be here!"

[jeepbob]

If you are not going to wheel the Wag and are just planning on 31's then 3.54 would be a good choice for daily driver gears. If you plan on doing some wheelin along with pulling something heavier than the CJ, then go with the 3.73's.

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65 wag. 360/edelbrock rb4/t400/20 t-case/4:10 d27/d44 broken power lok/onboard air/onboard 110v power(no inverter)/1999 Lincoln t.c.leather buckets/Lincoln ctr console/winch/33x12.50/tunes/water proof door pads
soon to have new motor/d44frt/d60r(4:10)welded diff/custom bumpers
see ya in da mud

[WillyPete]

the cool thing about 2.73s is that you can go 90 without breaking 3000 rpm. not that i'd know about that from personal experience or anything, it's all purely mathematical http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/wink.gif

seriously tho, as my dad put it "boy, the steering does get squirrelly around 100!"

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"Sugar Magnolia" '86 Grand Wagoneer 235/75R15 Wrangler AT/Rs, np229 x-case, bone stock otherwise

[Ralph]

Right, WillyPete, purely mathematical! But then my speedometer reads 82% the actual speed since the replacement transfer case I got apparently has speedometer gearing for a 3.31:1 axle ratio.

Dang new math! It doesn't FeeeeeeeeeeL like I'm going 90!

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J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket

[David Simon]

Thanks guys, you're right about the 90 MPH part, I don't know about the gas mileage. Before the weak lifter gave out I had it that fast one time. It drove like a dream and there was very little engine noise. I should have started investigating then. I haven't run that fast since the rebuild, still breaking it in.
I plan to use it for a tow vehicle/daily driver for awhile, but I would like to get slightly larger tires. Maybe I'll go with 2" lift springs from ESPO and 30x9.50s. I don't want to put that much money in the axles right now.
David

[RudyC]

No way officer. 95 in this thing?
Let me see. Here hold my beer http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

[SpruceMoose]

i'm running original springs and 30x9.5 with no problems. i have seen on the forum that 31x10.5 will fit ok if the springs are not too saggy, except at extreme articulation where slight rubbing is expected.

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88 Grand Wagoneer
"Spruce Moose"
http://www.FSJtheMoose.homestead.com/files/small_jeep_in_woods_1_cropped.gif

See the Moose at: http://www.FSJtheMoose.homestead.com/pics.html

AMC 360, DANA 44 F/R 2.72, TF 727, NP 229
Jacobs Pro-Street Ignition, Edelbrock 4bbl Intake with Holley 2bbl Analog Pro-Jection
Flowmaster 2.5" 50 Series Delta muffler and tubing
Amzoil foam air filter, Amzoil fluids all around
30x9.5 BFG AT
HF,VHF,UHF ham rigs and too many antennas (not)
8-Ball shift knob from college (1975)
Hella aux. driving lights

Next: 3" Rough Country 4-spring lift, Killer32 Bumpers and nerfs, 31 or 32" A/Ts

Mileage? We don't need no stinkin' mileage!