Detailed Gears/Locker/D30vsD44 question
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Gears and Lockers Input Needed!
The situation:
I have a '07 2DR stick with a manual transmission
I am running 33's (well 32.2 actually)
I will never run more than 35's
I will run my 33's for another 12-24 months (until they wear out or someone buys them from me)
I currently am running 3.21 gears
I went to my local 4 Wheel Shop, and this is their recommendation (4WD)
Front:
4.88 G2 Gears
Upgraded 30 spline Cromolly Axles
Axle Seal Kit
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
Rear:
4.88 G2 Gears
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
ARB Compressor with Tire Inflation Ability
ARB Hose for Compressor
All of this for $4,600 (Labor is only $1200, the rest is parts) In fairness, I specified ARB lockers and 4.88's.
They will use different gears if I want, however the guy indicated that G2 Gears have a lifetime warranty.
This is a ton of money, here are my concerns:
Should I just go Dana 44 up front? It will cost a lot more and I do not ever plan on anything more than 35's (Will add C Gussets to the build if I go the above route)
I have heard nothing about G2 gears, they are likely manufactured by someone else?
Will the 4.88s kill me until I get the 35's on? (High rpm's on the freeway, no first gear)
Does this seem like a fair price?
Considering what I have read about 4WD installers, is it worth the risk with a 90 labor guarantee, and if I go this route, they do have a $300 option that adds a 3 year parts/labor warranty for the work)
I know I cannot do this myself (Not very handy past basic jobs) and their are not a lot of options for shops doing this work in Nashville.
I would appreciate you feedback!
I have a '07 2DR stick with a manual transmission
I am running 33's (well 32.2 actually)
I will never run more than 35's
I will run my 33's for another 12-24 months (until they wear out or someone buys them from me)
I currently am running 3.21 gears
I went to my local 4 Wheel Shop, and this is their recommendation (4WD)
Front:
4.88 G2 Gears
Upgraded 30 spline Cromolly Axles
Axle Seal Kit
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
Rear:
4.88 G2 Gears
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
ARB Compressor with Tire Inflation Ability
ARB Hose for Compressor
All of this for $4,600 (Labor is only $1200, the rest is parts) In fairness, I specified ARB lockers and 4.88's.
They will use different gears if I want, however the guy indicated that G2 Gears have a lifetime warranty.
This is a ton of money, here are my concerns:
Should I just go Dana 44 up front? It will cost a lot more and I do not ever plan on anything more than 35's (Will add C Gussets to the build if I go the above route)
I have heard nothing about G2 gears, they are likely manufactured by someone else?
Will the 4.88s kill me until I get the 35's on? (High rpm's on the freeway, no first gear)
Does this seem like a fair price?
Considering what I have read about 4WD installers, is it worth the risk with a 90 labor guarantee, and if I go this route, they do have a $300 option that adds a 3 year parts/labor warranty for the work)
I know I cannot do this myself (Not very handy past basic jobs) and their are not a lot of options for shops doing this work in Nashville.
I would appreciate you feedback!
Last edited by Torrin; Jun 12, 2010 at 08:26 AM.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Well, Sceamin' Lizard does gear swaps for $995. That's a helluva price, but if you take it as the price of your gears, then you're looking at $2,600 for the ARBs and the Cromolly up front.
In all, this price doesn't strike me as too terrible for shop work. You might want to see if they'll throw that 3-year labor and parts warranty into the $4,600 number. Then the deal would be looking pretty sweet.
Everything I've read indicates that the Cromolly will be plenty strong. Some people seem to really under-rate the D30, but it doesn't seem to fail often once the gussets are installed.
In all, this price doesn't strike me as too terrible for shop work. You might want to see if they'll throw that 3-year labor and parts warranty into the $4,600 number. Then the deal would be looking pretty sweet.
Everything I've read indicates that the Cromolly will be plenty strong. Some people seem to really under-rate the D30, but it doesn't seem to fail often once the gussets are installed.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
Any other input? Also, I went to my locally owned 4x4 shop and they liked my build only they recommended that I put RCV axles in the front. I just read about those in JP magazine, anyone running those?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: SoCal, USA
im about to do the same thing... manual, 4.88s, arb lockers... d30 up front, etc. Have all the parts, just need the time to do it with a friend.
Only diff is i'm already on 35s, not 33s. also have 3.73 current, not 3.21 (i think you have to change your housing...).
I'm spacing out buying shafts, gussets, sleeves etc for now...
I think you will be ahead of the game with the d30 upgrades too..but thats only if you wanna shell out that big 4k+ you mentioned. I'm only focused on parts, not labor, and I'm well under 2k.
Good luck to us both!
Only diff is i'm already on 35s, not 33s. also have 3.73 current, not 3.21 (i think you have to change your housing...).
I'm spacing out buying shafts, gussets, sleeves etc for now...
I think you will be ahead of the game with the d30 upgrades too..but thats only if you wanna shell out that big 4k+ you mentioned. I'm only focused on parts, not labor, and I'm well under 2k.
Good luck to us both!
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JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 950
Likes: 8
From: Philly Suburbs
I am not sure how the 4.88 will do with your 32" tires, but they are perfect with 35's and a manual transmission. Have you thought about saving a few dollars and running a less expensive locker in the front? I went with a LSD instead of a locker because I didn't want to put that much money in the D30. So far, I have never felt like I needed the front locker on (have used the rear ARB plenty). I actually feel like the LSD in the front and locker in the rear is the best of both worlds, when I am in 4Lo it seems like the front slips less and pulls me through more and I only need the rear locker if I am slipping up a steep uneven rock covered surface.
I would also look at a well known gear brand, if for nothing else you will feel more comfortable. I have heard that all the gears actually come from one company, but many others have posted that they had issues with their gears from less known companies. The Yukons or Superiors should only be a few dollars more per pair.
I would also look at a well known gear brand, if for nothing else you will feel more comfortable. I have heard that all the gears actually come from one company, but many others have posted that they had issues with their gears from less known companies. The Yukons or Superiors should only be a few dollars more per pair.
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 796
Likes: 0
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
I am not sure how the 4.88 will do with your 32" tires, but they are perfect with 35's and a manual transmission. Have you thought about saving a few dollars and running a less expensive locker in the front? I went with a LSD instead of a locker because I didn't want to put that much money in the D30. So far, I have never felt like I needed the front locker on (have used the rear ARB plenty). I actually feel like the LSD in the front and locker in the rear is the best of both worlds, when I am in 4Lo it seems like the front slips less and pulls me through more and I only need the rear locker if I am slipping up a steep uneven rock covered surface.
I would also look at a well known gear brand, if for nothing else you will feel more comfortable. I have heard that all the gears actually come from one company, but many others have posted that they had issues with their gears from less known companies. The Yukons or Superiors should only be a few dollars more per pair.
I would also look at a well known gear brand, if for nothing else you will feel more comfortable. I have heard that all the gears actually come from one company, but many others have posted that they had issues with their gears from less known companies. The Yukons or Superiors should only be a few dollars more per pair.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: florida
The situation:
I have a '07 2DR stick with a manual transmission
I am running 33's (well 32.2 actually)
I will never run more than 35's
I will run my 33's for another 12-24 months (until they wear out or someone buys them from me)
I currently am running 3.21 gears
i have an 09 X that came with 3.21 and a 6 speed. ran 32"(31.25) stock rubi take off's for 5 months and it was ok. tires usually run smaller so your 33's are probably 32's. i went to
4.88's when i went to 35" km2's(34.25) and i love it. twice the power as stock and off road it is a beast.i use my rig for pleasure so i don't mind running 3200rpm at 80mph on the highway.
I went to my local 4 Wheel Shop, and this is their recommendation (4WD)
Front:
4.88 G2 Gears
Upgraded 30 spline Cromolly Axles
Axle Seal Kit
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
before i added cromolly shafts i would use the money to strengthen the axle housing. C gussets and internal axle tube will help allot more then shafts.
Rear:
4.88 G2 Gears
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
i went with Yukon gears with timkon bearings from dave at northridge. you will need a 3.73 carrier up for the front d30. i went with a new tj carrier because i couldn't find a jk one. internals measure .0040 narrower. ask if you need more info on making it work, although your taking it to a shop so they should know.
ARB Compressor with Tire Inflation Ability
ARB Hose for Compressor
nice set up
All of this for $4,600 (Labor is only $1200, the rest is parts) In fairness, I specified ARB lockers and 4.88's.
if you are happy its fair, get another estimate so you can feel better.
They will use different gears if I want, however the guy indicated that G2 Gears have a lifetime warranty.
This is a ton of money, here are my concerns:
Should I just go Dana 44 up front? It will cost a lot more and I do not ever plan on anything more than 35's (Will add C Gussets to the build if I go the above route)
I have heard nothing about G2 gears, they are likely manufactured by someone else?
Will the 4.88s kill me until I get the 35's on? (High rpm's on the freeway, no first gear)
Does this seem like a fair price?
get another estimate
Considering what I have read about 4WD installers, is it worth the risk with a 90 labor guarantee, and if I go this route, they do have a $300 option that adds a 3 year parts/labor warranty for the work)
I know I cannot do this myself (Not very handy past basic jobs) and their are not a lot of options for shops doing this work in Nashville.
re gearing takes knowledge and tools.
I would appreciate you feedback!
I have a '07 2DR stick with a manual transmission
I am running 33's (well 32.2 actually)
I will never run more than 35's
I will run my 33's for another 12-24 months (until they wear out or someone buys them from me)
I currently am running 3.21 gears
i have an 09 X that came with 3.21 and a 6 speed. ran 32"(31.25) stock rubi take off's for 5 months and it was ok. tires usually run smaller so your 33's are probably 32's. i went to
4.88's when i went to 35" km2's(34.25) and i love it. twice the power as stock and off road it is a beast.i use my rig for pleasure so i don't mind running 3200rpm at 80mph on the highway.
I went to my local 4 Wheel Shop, and this is their recommendation (4WD)
Front:
4.88 G2 Gears
Upgraded 30 spline Cromolly Axles
Axle Seal Kit
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
before i added cromolly shafts i would use the money to strengthen the axle housing. C gussets and internal axle tube will help allot more then shafts.
Rear:
4.88 G2 Gears
ARB Air Locker
G2 Forged Aluminum Differential Cover (Free)
i went with Yukon gears with timkon bearings from dave at northridge. you will need a 3.73 carrier up for the front d30. i went with a new tj carrier because i couldn't find a jk one. internals measure .0040 narrower. ask if you need more info on making it work, although your taking it to a shop so they should know.
ARB Compressor with Tire Inflation Ability
ARB Hose for Compressor
nice set up
All of this for $4,600 (Labor is only $1200, the rest is parts) In fairness, I specified ARB lockers and 4.88's.
if you are happy its fair, get another estimate so you can feel better.
They will use different gears if I want, however the guy indicated that G2 Gears have a lifetime warranty.
This is a ton of money, here are my concerns:
Should I just go Dana 44 up front? It will cost a lot more and I do not ever plan on anything more than 35's (Will add C Gussets to the build if I go the above route)
I have heard nothing about G2 gears, they are likely manufactured by someone else?
Will the 4.88s kill me until I get the 35's on? (High rpm's on the freeway, no first gear)
Does this seem like a fair price?
get another estimate
Considering what I have read about 4WD installers, is it worth the risk with a 90 labor guarantee, and if I go this route, they do have a $300 option that adds a 3 year parts/labor warranty for the work)
I know I cannot do this myself (Not very handy past basic jobs) and their are not a lot of options for shops doing this work in Nashville.
re gearing takes knowledge and tools.
I would appreciate you feedback!
