Have been having trouble engaging the 4wd on my 99GC
with the 242 tc, if fact, I just replaced it due to this problem.
Problem still persist, tho not as bad. Got to checking the tags
on the differentials and noticed they show different ratios.
Showing a 3.73 front and a 3.55 rear. Shouldn't they be the same?

 

yes the ratio's should match. I would pop the covers and look at the gears. see if they have the ratio stamped on them our count the teeth to make sure they match. they could have swapped axles and regeared them/one.

using 4wd with miss-matched ratios will ruin the T/case.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. Any certian spot to look on the gears?

 

on the smooth face of the gear. you "should" see the ratio stamped on it where the writing is on this gear. (just refrence to where)

 

one last ?, for now, will a rear from a 2wd work on a 4wd, if the gearing is correct?

thanks again

 

Yes, as long as it's the same ratio as the front. Also make sure it's a D35 and not the D44A from a V8 equipped model as that would use a different length drive shaft.

 

Thanks for the info. Guy I know that's parting his out is the same as mine except is 2WD. Just hope the ratio is right. (been searching for over an hour for those pics. Found them once b4, but didn't need them then. lol

 

Good luck.

 

Well, I checked the ratios a few minutes ago and they are different.
Haven't heard for the other guy yet on his, but did check with a jy,
They want $300 for the front with 3.55 gearing. Sound about right?

 

sounds about right for a junk yard that pulls it for you. a "you pull it" yard should be cheaper. by me they are about $100-$150. but that really depends on if the moeny is worth the time to pull it and look for it.

You could also get a 3.73 rear and have a little lower gearing.

I a not sure of the reall benefits or if its worth it. but i believe the XJ/TJ front axle will work and will get rid of the cv style shafts in the front axle, and sue u-joints. but again not sure if its worth the time...

 

Picked up another axle assembly today. When I got it home and started
cleaning it up a little, I noticed that the yoke is different. What's on the
"new" one is a u-joint and the one on the GC has six bolts in it. Cand they be swapped?

Thanks as always, Larry

 

Yes, you can swap the yokes. Remove the retaining nut with an impact then reinstall after the swap. If the seal behind the yoke is showing signs of leakage you should replace it at the same time.

 

^^thanks so much. You've been more than helpful. Hopefully I'll have
this thing working in 4wd before long.

 

Good luck Larry, and keep us posted.
Dan