I want to go bigger than 3" but I hear there is a lot of stuff you gotta do to make it operable and safe.

I would probably go with 4.5" and 32s or 33s.

I know this has probably been asked a thousand times, but what modifications do you have to make?

I am especially curious about re-gearing. How tedious is this and how much will it set me?

Thanks for helping a Jeeper-noob.

 

You ever do a rear end before?

 

you really dont have to regear. i run 33s with stock gears. you will have to change your shocks LCA UCA. but gearing is easly just get your backlash right.

 

Don't know what that means.

Backlash?

hahahaha

I need to get my terminology down.

 

Do a rear end: any sort of mechanical work beyond basic. i.e.: Changing a gear, swapping pigs, etc.

It's not actually hard at all, just a few specialized tools needed. Other than that, it's straightforward. Just wondering if you know what you're getting into before you decide to rip it apart.

 

regearing your speedo will be needed too

 

hey on the subject of spedos i got stock tires on mine but the spedo is off by about 20mph? anyone know why.

 

Something has been changed, transfercase, speedogear, differential gearing. Those are the only choices with a 87.

 

what is the best way to find out. i know it origanaly was a 231tcase and thats what it has now. i guess maby gears, it does seem to haul some a$$ and do great burn outs on 32s.

 

I was wondering about the whole re-gear thing as well. cause 31's look a little small with a 4"-5" lift.

 

around here offroad shops regear for 200-250 per axle, call up some shops.

i taught myself how to regear my rear dana60, it's lots of patience and trial and error, get comfortable, because you will most likely be there for a few hours.

 

Right. It's not hard, just time-consuming and takes a little practice. If you've never installed an axle shaft or locker, i would leave it up to the pros until you are more familiar with the workings of an axle and component names, etc.

At 4.5" of lift, you will need to address the trackbar, control arms, sway bar links, brake lines, shocks, and maybe the rear driveshaft. You can get adjustable control arms or a drop bracket kit that Rough Country/Rocky Road sells. Trackbars are plenty, just look at different brands and pick your favorite. Some are beefier than others but most of them do the job just fine. Brake lines can be bought at napa/autozone/etc using 1995 YJ model or dodge dakota lines. Shocks, well..that's up to you. Look for some at your height and choose. Some are stiff, some are soft, and some are adjustable. And last, but not least, the driveshaft may need to be swapped out for a double cardian cv driveshaft (3 joints) and this requires a slip yoke eliminator kit. There's no telling if you need it or not until you lift it and drive and feel for vibrations. A transfer case drop is a cheaper alternative but you lose some ground clearance.

HTH

 

I just regeared my 8.8.. If you have a good press, and a lot of patience, you should be good, and get a good write up so you have refernces.

 

You may need shims of various thicknesses and a dial indicator and a magnetic base.

 

Look around on your local 4x4 forums and you might find someone that can do it for a fair price. I charge $100 per axle to install a set of gears, same price if there's a locker involved. I put the money in my Moab Stash.