gear ratios

Dirt Wag · #1 10-13-2009, 09:35 PM

1985 GW with towing package and factory axle gears. The only options in 1985 were 2.73 or 3.31 and wth the towing package I must have 3.31 - is that right?

If I went to 4.56 or 4.88 would I need a different carrier? (front D44 rear AMC20)

duncanstives · #2 10-13-2009, 09:45 PM

Any factory gear package your Jeep could have would require a carrier change to go numerically higher than 4.10 at least in front... Not positive about the amc20.

orangebike · #3 10-13-2009, 10:53 PM

yes new carriers front and rear

CutterN55 · #4 10-14-2009, 07:20 AM

Went to 4.10 thick gears in my dana 44's w/ same carrier. I like it w/ 33x12.50's. with 34's you should be fine. If you go bigger than 35's, might want bigger gears.

Toyotech · #5 10-14-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CutterN55

Went to 4.10 thick gears in my dana 44's w/ same carrier. I like it w/ 33x12.50's. with 34's you should be fine. If you go bigger than 35's, might want bigger gears.

The thick 4.11's came in Rubicons, yes?

Mex in the city · #6 10-14-2009, 10:37 AM

I went from 2.73 to 4.56 and I needed to change the carrier in the front only (D44). The rear did not need a carrier change (AMC20).

Dirt Wag · #7 10-16-2009, 09:21 PM

I got under the Jeep today and found out I have 2.73 gears so it looks like I'll need a thick gear set in front and new carrier in back to run 4.56 gears. Is that right???
I did some online research and found that the biggest recommended tire for the D44 is 35" ---- so maybe I should go straight to D60's and bypass all the broken stuff I'm gonna get with 38" tires!!!
It's the usual tough decision I guess ---- put a bunch of money (gears, carriers, lockers, etc.) into the D44/AMC20's and hope they hold up, or skip that step and put even more money into D60's.

joe · #8 10-16-2009, 11:25 PM

Carriers splits:
Danas between 3.73/3.92
AMCs between 2.73/3.07

youngjeeper · #9 10-17-2009, 08:28 AM

The Rubicon gear sets will work with a little modification in our D44's. I'm running a thick set in the rear and a Rubicon set in the front (or maybe the other way around); 4.88's. Saved me money not having to get new carriers.

duncanstives · #10 10-17-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirt Wag

I got under the Jeep today and found out I have 2.73 gears so it looks like I'll need a thick gear set in front and new carrier in back to run 4.56 gears. Is that right???
I did some online research and found that the biggest recommended tire for the D44 is 35" ---- so maybe I should go straight to D60's and bypass all the broken stuff I'm gonna get with 38" tires!!!
It's the usual tough decision I guess ---- put a bunch of money (gears, carriers, lockers, etc.) into the D44/AMC20's and hope they hold up, or skip that step and put even more money into D60's.

Go D60 if you can afford it or go with a smaller tire. D44s with 38s is ASKING for trouble... You could get chromoly shaft and maybe squeak by for awhile but something will give eventually and those shaft are a good portion of the cost of a 60.

Personally I think 60s are one of the most exspensive upgrades for the smallest gain (a couple bigger inch tire) because of scarcity... I am running a high pinion d44HD and I will get chromoly and go to 37s and if I ever want to go bigger I will build a ground up rockwell build because even the given cost of making a good rockwell build (links and coilover, etc) I think you get more capability per dollar than you do with a 60 (even given the rockwell builds greater. total cost).

Stuka · #11 10-17-2009, 11:02 AM

Last I checked, nobody made 4.88's for the AMC20 axle. 4.56's are the lowest you can go.

For 38's, it depends what you are doing. If its just mudding, then keep that front D44 and swap on 8 lug outers. And then slap a 14FF in back and call it done. If you break the front,y ou can always upgrade the shafts.

If you are crawling and doing rocks, don't even bother with the D44 up front.

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