huntingman2706217

Got a question... i read somewhere that i guy had a XJ with the stock D44 and his front was a HP D30? is this a case by case or all over them? i swapped my D35 with a D44 out of the JY and the gears are different... so was thinking of going back to get the front axle for $150... may deff do so if its a HP... also would the DS's be any different this way? thanks!

nick_n_ii

Yes all XJ's with the stock D44 in the rear will have HP D30 in the front.

huntingman2706217

did XJ's without the D44 have HP d30's?

huntingman2706217

well im sure they did at some point but what years?

winston427

84-99 are all high pinion, 00-01 are low pinion.

The D44 was only available from 87-89.

huntingman2706217

i guess i never thought to look at mine? thats pretty stupid of me... anyone got any good links to some re-gearing how to's on a d30?

nick_n_ii

Randy's Ring and Gear sells a book for $26 that tells you everything you need to know about setting gears.

I'm looking at getting it so I can do mine next spring.

winston427

I have that book Nick, and it left me with more questions than answers. It is a great book for general knowledge on how to understand the workings of diffs, but is not detailed for each specific type of axle. The setup techniques for a 8.25, D35, D44, and D30 are little different. You can get a good idea of how to do it yourself. The way I see it, by the time I spend the money for all the special tools and the labor for a machine shop to press the bearings on and off. I might as well spend the money to have a shop do the whole thing. Of course I'm stubborn and still want to learn so I can help others regear and save some cash so I know I will end up buying the tools soon anyway.

huntingman2706217

hhmm... ill have to look into that... i really wish i could run lockers while im in there but we will see... i saw some lockers on ebay yesterday called spartan lockers by lockright... $247 shipped new... anyone know if there worth a dang? i mean i know there not air or elec lockers or anything crazy but think they would do the trick anyway? seem to be pretty affordable...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-DANA-44-JEEP-SPARTAN-LOCKER-30-SPLINE-LOCKRIGHT_W0QQitemZ270440925288QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ef789 0868&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

nick_n_ii

A press is rather cheap and about the only thing I need for the install of gears. There is some tools for doing the install that aren't 100% required. Plus it's something i really want to learn. I've done a few swaps from 1 D30 to another and that just kept me wanting more.

Good to know on that book I'll have to start looking for one with more answers than.

EndlessMtnFab

Heh Heh Heh.


The basics are there ... but not much more.


Experience is the only way to do it. Here's a good analogy I give people .... I needed over 1000 dollars in tools in order to be able to do the job quickly & efficiently. Are you going to want to skimp on tools to do the job right and spend more time doing it?


I guess it's a reflection of how much shops are asking in your area for gear work.



Joe

EndlessMtnFab

Needed:


Bearing Puller or Bearing splitter
Torque Wrench (high ft-lbs)
Torque Wrench (low inch-lbs)
Misc sockets (pinion nut, ring gear bolts, cap bolts)
Hammer & punches
Pry Bars


Should have:

Dial Caliper or Mic (to measure shim thickness)
Press
Dial Indictor
Yoke Wrench (or something to stop the pinion from spinning)


Nice to have:

Setup Bearings
Housing spreader




Adds up quick, doesn't it ?



Joe

huntingman2706217

a $150 d30 from a JY with the gears already in it is getting cheaper and cheaper... lol... plus a $65 alignment... ill have to check on a shops price for labor to go any higher in gears when i get 33's under this thing... id love to learn how to do it but dont love what it takes money wise...

EndlessMtnFab

Huntingman,


Please don't take it like I am trying to discourage you or "encourage" anyone to have me do their gear work.


I am willing to spend time with my customers who have trouble setting up gears. And I'm not afraid to help out a bit on the boards when a question comes up.


If you buy a JY D30 ... try to keep your old one so you can practice on it. Use the old gears and buy a new master installation kit. You'd be surprised what you can do with a practice set and see if you're up to doing a your own later on.


Best of luck.


Joe

winston427

The cost of the tools makes me hestitant to do the project myself as well. On the other hand if I pay a shop $400 per axle to set up the gears I will automatically be shelling out $1600 for both of my XJs. So it stands to reason that I should start buying the tools to do it myself. I already have the extra set of axles for my 91, which is a 3.55 D44 from a MJ and a HP D30 with factory 4.10s, both of which will be upgraded to 4.56. That way the vehicle is not completely out of use during the upgrade. Once they are complete then the axles currently under it will be rebuilt and regeared to 4.56 as well for my 89 trail rig.