Hi folks, just introduced myself and posted a small picture, anyways the same jeep in the picture is about to get it's engine pulled. It's the most gutless jeep 4.0 I've ever run and it can't hardly push the 31s. This is my 3rd jeep but first manual, 87 model year with 202k. I have bought a HO head already and maybe prematurely. I'm somewhat read on the stroker bit and almost bought a J-10 for parts but nobody seems to know if it's parts are worth using. axles and tranny and plus the bottom end parts for the stroker was what I was hoping for. please throw info at me till my head spins, i'm here to learn!!

It could be gutless due to the old motor, needing a tune-up, or gearing is off for the 31's. Sorry i can't help with the stroker kit but i can wish ya good luck

as far as gearing goes the only thing i have found says the manuals came with 3.07. I don't really know what that means, assume it's made for gas economy and not torque. what's the best way to change gearing? is it possible without changing the whole axle out?

THAT could be a problem. 3.07's suck. You need to confirm it though. Check on the axle cover, there should be a rectangular tag that specifies what gears you have.

You can swap in new gears. No need to swap in a new axle unless you wanna upgrade. It's not recommended to do this yourself unless you are mechanically aware of what you are doing but i can be done. professionals can regear your axles for about $500 per axle or around that ballpark. Gears are like $150-$300 and labor $300-$500 per axle. With 31's, you should be in the 4.00+ gearing, like 4.10 or 4.56. I'm not an expert on which gears to go with on xj's though.

with a manual tranny i would throw some 4.10's in. If thats going to cost too much you can get some auto axles with stock 3.55 gearing and throw them in there, even that will help you.

-Kyle

so if the rear end gear is changed does the front need to be done too? i assume yes, i can't save costs by doing one at a time probably? has anyone done a write up for DIY? I'm not in a hurry to upgrade axles, right now the engine is top priority.

Yes, both have to be quasy the same ratio. When the wheels pull at different speeds, things bind, then break and more $$$$$$$$$$$ are spent.

I dont know how easy it is to find parts where you are but from what have seen if look a bit you can find them cheap and even find lower gears, cause I found a set of stock 4.10 axles at a self pull junk yard for $300 which is a hard find. as far both at once you just cant use the four wheel drive until both are the same. depends on whether or not you can wait for both.