RearEnd Gone, Convince me to keep her! Please

[CraigS]

After months of whining, chattering and growling the rear end in my 89 Grand has finally brought it to a complete stop. Otherwise with 187,000 miles it is still in fair to good condition. What might I have to $pay$ to get her up and running again? What used (junkyard) replacements will fit? Is there a posi-traction rearend out there for this rig? Will posi-tration make a significant difference in price and traction? I believe the rear end in my Jeep is a Dana 44. Can't wait to here from you all. Thank you!

[JOECOOL]

I blew my rears end gears. Since it will cost some $$$ might as well get a Detroit Locker. I replaced mine finally with a limited slip because I found one cheap on Ebay otherwise I would have bought a Detroit.

[Bignblue]

If you're interested, I have a full set of diff gears in 3.54, plus the carriers and installation kits. I'm selling them, so if you decide to keep your FSJ (and I would--if you get rid of it, you'll regret it. I'm talking from experience here!) just drop me a line or call me at (334)322-8222.


Joe

[JB]

hey craig , have you checked out the "for sale forum" area on this web sight.. its located just above the FSJ techinal forum we are in right now.. I was skimming through it earlier and I saw a several dana 44 very reasonably priced..

[RustyJeep]

My brother had the rearend totally rebuilt in his chero, and it ran about 700 bucks, but that was with a used carrier, ring and pinion from Porkchop.

[reddog]

Welcome Craig!! Just because she whines and chatters alot is no reason to get rid of your significant other. You might consider it if she is the one that blew the rear end of the jeep out however. JK! ;)

A junkyard replacement of your dana 44 is possible - make sure you get the same gear ratio though. Any 87 through 91 wag rear will fit IF it has the same ratio. You need to look at it and see what broke. That is the only way you'll know what you need to replace unless you just swap a whole rear end. If you have a limited slip (Trac-Loc) carrier the kit to rebuild these is quite reasonable. I think it was about $100 with the little specialty tool to do it. The cost just depends on what you have and what is broken.
There are a number of limited slip diffs for it and since I have no experiance with them in a FSJ I can't recommend one other another. I did have a detroit locker in my CJ-5 and it held up very well in that. Don't know how they stand up in a heavier FSJ. I think this subject has been kicked around here some time ago. Try spending some time searching the archives.

Kerry

[ September 03, 2001: Message edited by: reddog ]

[porkchop]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by RustyJeep:
My brother had the rearend totally rebuilt in his chero, and it ran about 700 bucks, but that was with a used carrier, ring and pinion from Porkchop.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It worked out OK for him then? I never heard from him since then. $700 sounds like a lot! Here in town you can get the gears installed for $150.

[RustyJeep]

It worked out great for him...couldn't actually remember the exact price..come to think of it, it was under $500.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Darn that is a lot. I do mine myself all the time. Shoot!!! I better tell the wife how much money I save us, cause I do this myself. Maybe I will be able to buy more Jeeps!!!! ;)

[RustyJeep]

Heh, at the time I was leary of my own wrenchin abilities, but now that I have done a few at work, and my abilities have progressed, I look back and say, "Why?" I shoulda did them.

[ September 03, 2001: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]