i just read this in an article on this site

"Those of us unfortunate enough to have purchased the X model with 3.21 gear ratio will have to obtain a new carrier or locker for the front Dana 30 capable of accepting the numerically higher gear ratio. The stock carrier in the front Dana 30 equipped with 3.21’s is only really good for just that gear ratio, throwing in 4.10’s and higher will require a carrier (or locker) of 3.73 and higher ratio...the divide usually occurs at 3.54 and higher and 3.54 and lower. All of our rear Dana 44’s stock carriers, lsd’s or lockers are more than suitable to re-gear to numerically higher gear ratios regardless if you came originally equipped with 3.21’s, 3.73’s or 4.10’s, this I understand is due to the ‘thick’ ring gears our JK Dana axles were designed with...so go nuts and keep your stock carrier/locker if you want."

is this true? i have a 2010 Sport 6spd, most likely came with 3.21. so from what im reading im basically going to have to overhaul my whole front differential just to regear?

 

Yup, its true your front will go only the high 3's for gears if I remember correctly

 

from what i understand this problem is only for people who got 3.21 from the factory. people with 3.73 didnt have this problem. uhg.

whos selling a dana30 3.73 carrier?

 

Hey, I went from 3.21s to yukon 4.88s and did not have to change the front carrier,

 

I ordered my gears from Northridge and had them send me a loaded carrier when I went from my 3.21's to 4.88's. It is not a big expense and I wanted to make sure it was done right

 

You do need to change out the carrier if you got 3.21s, but you are not looking at a significant expense. Should be able to get a carrier for around $100. May as well spend a few more dollars and get a locker or LSD.

 

You will need a new front carrier for the Dana 30. They are relatively cheap but I would consider adding an ARB selectable locker or Truetrac at the same time you do the regear.

 

so you have to get a locker...... oh no

 

yeah, if you got the cash $450-500 go ahead and get the Truetrac installed as well...

 

I am doing my gear swap tomorrow from 3.21's to 5.13's, and yes you do need a new carrier. Dave at Northridge sold the carrier for around 70 bucks. And its not that big of an "overhaul" you would had to pull the old carrier anyway, now all your doing in addition to that is swapping the spider gears over, no big deal. As others have also stated though, if your ever going to want a locker up front, do it at the same time as the gear install. I am not, but thats because Ill be doing the gears myself and it doesnt cost any more than a little bit of diff oil.