So here in next month or so I am going to install a new clutch and flywheel in my 16 JK Unlimited sport. Throw out bearing was making noise before I bought it but didn’t think to much about it. No questions about that but I am looking to install a higher ratio final gear in it to help with long and steep hills. Am I better off buying all new assemblies for front and rear differentials or can I just replace the gear sets in my stock housings? And if the latter what’s my best options for parts? Thanks for any help.

 

You are referring to upgraded aftermarket axles here, (Dynatrac/Teraflex/Fusion/whoever), and selling your current axles? If your build or your offroad usage has you worried about the strength of the stock housings, and you can afford the upgrades, then by all means go for it. If not, there are plenty of people regearing the stock housings and running them just fine.


Would you be installing yourself, or paying a shop? If paying, let them source the parts!! In the event of a problem, you don't want the drama and finger pointing that results from the whole 'customer supplied parts' vs 'our techs are great, their install was perfect' scenario. Their parts, their work, their warranty...

 

Most people will pay $1500+/- to just regear their stock axles and then move on with life. You haven't described your use, if you're into heavy offroading or if it's just a DD pavement ride. Agree with what was said above (+1).

 

I will be doing the work myself. And agreed with the full usage of a shop but see no need in paying someone for something I can complete myself.

its mainly for pavement and loose gravel roads. Don’t plan on any serious off road travel anytime soon. Stock housings it is.

 

Northridge 4x4 is having a sale on their Yukon gear sets if you're going to do it yourself. I'm up a creek and looking at this as an option. I'd have to acquire a few tools, but I'm also interested in doing my own gears- but it's a daily for me so I'll have to nail it.

 

So which brand of gears is the best? Look at price and warranty, then flip a coin.

- For a long while, regardless of Mfg, all of the 'JK' gears were coming out of the same factory in asia. (several sources posted this over the years, including the folks at Dynatrac on numerous occasions since they had actually looked into it.) Are there other factories now? Don't know, maybe. Regardless, I don't recall seeing anyone post any type of proof that a given brand is better or worse than any other. Just lots of opinion. My opinion: price and warranty trump name-recognition.