When upgrading the dana 30 to 4.56's do I need to gut the inside with an overhaul kit? I've never really gotten into the diffs so whatever help I can get to make the upgrades easiest would be greatly appreciated. The dana 44 in the rear I guess would only need the ring and pinion, correct?

 

I have questions regarding the same thing... kind of. I need to have my jeep regeared and would want to know what questions to ask a dealer and installer. What components are needed for the 30 front and 44 back? Do you install lockers? What kind? Brands? Slip yoke? Casings?

I hope you don't mind me piggybacking your question, but I'm looking at getting mine done in the next 3-4 weeks as well.

 

Depends on what you're doing. If you're installing a locker while you're in there, you'll need the carrier (locker), ring and pinion, and overhaul kit (though some people, with low mileage, install with an install kit (overhaul minus bearings). If you're only doing ring & pinion, you'll need to make sure you have a high ratio carrier (3.21 to 4.56, 3.73 is the breakover if I'm not mistaken).

Northride4x4 will hook you up with what you need.

As far as lockers, depends on what you want. I'm doing 4.88s and Detroits front and rear. People are against the Detroits in the front, but I can care less. I've seen Detroits unlock when needed and ARBs don't, see a free spinning wheel in the air while locked under an ARB and see the pinging action going on at the tire once it lands. Doesn't happen under a Detroit. My personal experience and with a huge percentage of the members in the club I'm in.

Most go selectable, ARB specifically.

 

I wasn't looking to put a locker in, only to upgrade the gears. I've got the 09 Sahara w/3.73 and 33's, will the dealer be able to tell me if I have the high ratio carrier? Its only got 24,000 mls so I might not need the overhaul kit. I'm going to stay with the 33's so I won't need to worry about going any bigger.

 

That's what we all say. Went from the pizza cutters to 33s. Within 5k wanted 35s. Waiting until 30k, then sold them and got 35s. Now with the 35s, it look too normal, might be going 37s after these wear a little...

 

all u will need to change out is the gears (ring & pinion). u have the correct carrier.

now this is personal opinion, when i have work done where bearings are involved: if the tech has to remove bearing, then i put a new bearing back in. i have seen too many mechanics mess up bearings taking them off then put back in and fail. so i pay the xtra and get new bearings. IMO i would opt for the overhaul kit if that is the kit with new bearings in it.

ohhh, and i would not go to the dealer if u dont absolutely have to. the install cost can be anywhere from i have seen $600 all the way to $1,500 through a reputable mechanic. dealer would most likely be WAY more

 

It is very important to contact your installer before ordering because alot of shops dont like reusing old bearings . You have to press them off and then back on to the new pinion and sometimes they can get damaged.

David

 

Thanks Cap, I may have to use the dealer for the instal because of warranty issues, but there pretty good here. If I don't have to gut the whole thing I feel better. I had a shop tell me it may cost up to $2500 or more to do the whole thing and I about hit the floor after reading what everybody else is paying.

 

wow, 2500 thats rediculous! well dealer may be the better way then. david from northridge also made a good point, some shops will require new bearings and will not reuse old bearings. IMO if you are already spending the $$$ for gears and install, do it right with the overhaul kit, u may spend another $100-200 for the better kit.

if u go through dealer, is there a warranty and would they allow you to purchase the parts from someone else and bring it to them for the install? im sure u could save alot of $$$ by buying somewhere else and bring it to them, but they may not allow that.

 

Yeah, Northridge wasn't showing a 4.56 gear and overhaul kit so I sent David a PM, waiting to hear back maybe tomorrow. I'll have to check with the dealer to see about buying the parts and bringing them in. I'd rather pay a little extra and save my warranty.