Truth about Dana 30s
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Im planning on getting the evo kit with the gussets, sleeves, and skids for just a precaution and dont plan to ever upgrade my axles. as you said just way to much to spend for my use. Going with the 4.88 will I still be capable of OD and stuff and on the trails will it preform fine with 37's? Ive just heard people being skeptical on the 5.13 and I want to be confident with whatever gears i am running. I know many people run the 5.13 with no problems but im skeptical and the preformance on the highway puts doubt in my mind too... I have 4.10 right now and wonder if there is that big of a difference between the 4.10 and 4.88 and yes I have automatic so maybe then I truely do need the 5.13... Im not sure. 
If you've got an auto and plan on running 37's, I'd go with 5.13's and don't lock the front. As long as your not locking the front end, your chances for breakage of the R&P, axle shaft, u joint all go dramatically down, I feel that you could run that setup with confidence doing really any sort of slow speed crawling, mud, and stuff like that, just not baja'n up a boulder covered hill with lots of wheelspin and such.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Barrington, IL
If you've got an auto and plan on running 37's, I'd go with 5.13's and don't lock the front. As long as your not locking the front end, your chances for breakage of the R&P, axle shaft, u joint all go dramatically down, I feel that you could run that setup with confidence doing really any sort of slow speed crawling, mud, and stuff like that, just not baja'n up a boulder covered hill with lots of wheelspin and such.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
I appreciate everyone's input, and it is pretty much as I expected.
I'm running a light weight 35 inch tire (each tire about 60 lbs) so I don't notice a terrible drop in power, but I definitely want to regear. With keeping my Dana 30, would a 4.88 be enough? I still want to be able to do 70+ on the freeway, but have some pull in the dunes.
I'm running a light weight 35 inch tire (each tire about 60 lbs) so I don't notice a terrible drop in power, but I definitely want to regear. With keeping my Dana 30, would a 4.88 be enough? I still want to be able to do 70+ on the freeway, but have some pull in the dunes.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
Thats a close call for your uses. 4.88's would give more peace of mind I guess.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 749
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
I appreciate everyone's input, and it is pretty much as I expected.
I'm running a light weight 35 inch tire (each tire about 60 lbs) so I don't notice a terrible drop in power, but I definitely want to regear. With keeping my Dana 30, would a 4.88 be enough? I still want to be able to do 70+ on the freeway, but have some pull in the dunes.
I'm running a light weight 35 inch tire (each tire about 60 lbs) so I don't notice a terrible drop in power, but I definitely want to regear. With keeping my Dana 30, would a 4.88 be enough? I still want to be able to do 70+ on the freeway, but have some pull in the dunes.
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 566
Likes: 0
From: Barrington, IL
Im thinking I want the 4.88 because I want to cruise 70+ on the highway too... But I dont want to regret not having the power I want on trails or around town and who knows I might fall in love with the 37's and stick with those...
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Mt Vernon, MO
Nube here, so take it for what its worth. But for dunes adn such would not a ripp super charger make more sence than regearing? If it is a power issue adn you still need top end speed adn a daily driver, adding more power with supercharging seems to make more sence than lower gearing. I am sure there are some deals on rip's right now with the conversion to the new pentastar jk's. Plus with a regear costing nearly $2K it is a pretty close call.
Gussett and sleeve and skid your axles and bump the power.
Now rock crawling is another matter entirely. You need more torque and very slow speeds, and you need a lot of strength in the gears.
Gussett and sleeve and skid your axles and bump the power.
Now rock crawling is another matter entirely. You need more torque and very slow speeds, and you need a lot of strength in the gears.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
Unfortunately, they don't have the RIPP SC for my model yet (2011). But I do plan on going that route when / if it does come out. But I may need to regear regardless for towing. I'll wait till I have forced induction first
I honestly don't plan on going 37's ever..... unless I put in a HEMI. But that would be so far down the road it wouldn't matter.
I honestly don't plan on going 37's ever..... unless I put in a HEMI. But that would be so far down the road it wouldn't matter.
