Hey guys, need help determining my gear ratio for my 2000 xj 4.0 manual transmission. Its a sport 4 door Chrysler 8.25 rear d30 front. Been a slow build but lifted, custom bumpers ect. Next is lockers and I will only be running 33' s, getting steering upgrades no problem but need help with gears to order lockers, probably Detroit front and rear. Up in Maine is goofy terrain, rocks, mud, logs and swamp so auto lockers seem the best route. Anyone know?

 

your current gears are 3.55, you'll need to go up to 4.56.

The rear axle will not require a new carrier but the front will.

There's going to be a locker debate in your thread, there always is. So here's my $.02 before it gets started......

Selectable lockers are a better choice if you're using the rig as a DD. Yes they are expensive, but worth saving up for.

 

Thank you. Why change gears? Just lack of power? The selectable is still considered for front end, thinking of ox locker for manual cable. Id love air lockers but it gets cold here and whoever says air lines can be prevented from freezing is a fool

 

I have been running 33"'s with 3.55 and it is a problem with the transmission up and down shifting all the time even when it seems your on level ground. With that the trans does tend to overheat during the summer the most but does increase even in the winter.

If your going to install lockers it will be no real increase in labor to install new gears at the same time. I'm doing this same thing this week Detroit Lockers Ft/Rear and new gears 3.55 to 4.56's with a new carrier for the D30.

I bought my gear package from Rustys Off Road Ft and Rear gears for the D30 and C8.25 4.56 including new master install kit for each $450 something for everything + shipping. I also bought the new carrier from him I think it was around $60-70 at the same time.

Package deals are the only way to go for 90+% of us not needing top of the line gear sets like Richmond. I have ran this same gear (Ford 9") with up to 750hp in one of my drag cars using a transbrake and that is hard on gears.

 

Use the following site to compare different tire and gear sizes. select your components from the Pull-down menus.
http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

Installing the proper gear ratio will get back the power and economy (to some extent) that is lost when going to a larger tire.

I ran a cable operated Ox for 1 season, biggest mistake ever.

RE makes a Braided steel airline for the ARB locker.

If you don't want to incur the expense of 2 ARB's, consider an Eaton E-Locker up front. Sadly they don't make one (yet) for the 8.25. You can install a Detroit out back or a Luchbox locker.

 

I doubt Eaton will ever make a locker for the 8.25. The ship has kind if sailed on that since the last one was made in 01, and there is no way in hell the company could ever push a design through and make it in a timely manner (I've worked for eaton).

You probably have 3.07's with a 4.0 and 5 speed, as well as a low pinion 30 when you decide on your gears.

 

Actually....
8.25's were used under Liberties and WK's.

 

Again, thank you. Neighbor has a parts v8 grand Cherokee which I believe has a d44 rear if I were to do e lockers in both. I did look up the e locker. It was my next choice after ox, just a fan of manual work I guess. For where and how I drive I will probably do Detroit rear, regear both and sleep of the front. Taxes are here so my options are open but I also want to upgrade to long arm and SYE. Real stiff ride for a state of potholes. Its been a few years in the process to get out how I like it with looks both inside and out. So it is appreciated with the great feedback on my drive line.

 

Oh you reminded me with the liberty! Buddy has one built but swapping to 1 tons. His 8.25 has the Detroit and set up 4 link. If its 4.56 geared it would be best to swap right?

 

GC has a D44A. Virtually no aftermarket support. Avoid it like the plague.

Removing the cat is an illegal mod. and discussion of such mods is against forum rules....just so ya know.
You might want to edit your post before it gets Goderated.....

 

Yes, but you'll need to cut off all of the existing brackets since it's a coil sprung axle.

 

Well yeah that's true, I forgot about that. Little aftermarket support for them anyways compared to a XJ.

 

They use the same parts (internally) so the amount of support is the same as....

 

Buddy used drive line from an xj in his liberty. D30 and 8.25. He's went better and now he wants bigger for just an off the road toy. So good idea to probably get his used parts of I think 10 months? Or just do new?

 

Tough call, if the price is right it might be a win/win for you and your friend.