srb531

getting ready for a gear change on my 98 xj, so going to heavy duty everything else about these 2 axles, shafts, joints, lockers- DET. rear , ARB -front...max tire size in the future 33 or maybe 35 , most likely stick w/ 33's cause going 4.10 gears. this will be a street & trail rig,some of the offroad will be mild rock crawling, so i want strong parts. whats hot in the way of shafts & joints, etc. etc. thx for the suggestions.

XJlimitedx99

Why just 4.10s? I mean I know you said it's a dd but I feel like if you're going to do it just do what you'll want in the end.

SeriousOffroad

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...H-RH-8.25-Inch

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...rokee-XJ-85-01

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...hrysler-8.25in.

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...cker-27-Spline

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...r-Dana-30-Axle

http://www.seriousoffroadproducts.co...sler-8.25-Axle

caronaxtr

Just did this, rebuilt everything;
Instead of ARB for the D30, check out RWK Haus (vender on here). I got a Zip Air Locker for the front & an ARB for the 8.25 (gears & installs too, very good prices) Robert won't guide you in the wrong direction.

Upgrade Steering with ^^ Serious Offroad 1 Ton steering (huge upgrade). Frank is great to deal with, everything is Top Notch.

I kept stock shafts for now, gonna go Chromo in the 30, 8.25, gonna stay stock if/till I have issues.

Gears, 4.56 feels awesome. Just like back when everything was stock (I'm on 33's now, thinking of 35's in a couple weeks)

Replace all bushings, ball joints, bearings. My axles are all new, won't worry about axles, jeep will be dead before axles have issues.

cleenrob

definatly go for 4.56, ive got 4.10s and 33s now and she's still gutless past 55mph,(better that stock gears tho) 4.56 will give you back the power you once had

torque062

Definitely go with 4.56. I have those in a 5 speed with 35s so it would be more like 4.88s in an auto. I'd also skip on the shafts for the 8.25 and just get chromoly front shafts.

Jbh97009

4.56 is what I would do, especially for 33's. will be nice should you got to 35's as well.

Next, if you have the coin RCV's are hands down the best shafts you can buy, in so many ways. If your on a budget get ahold of rwk as mentioned above for a good deal on chromoly 30 shafts.

Next, again if you have the coin AND your going the RCV route have your gears cryo'd. If not going rcv I wouldn't worry about it.

In my opinion is better to overbuild (within reason) and do it right the first time when it comes to the axles, so you don't have to tear into them again. Problem is most of us don't have the budget to do it lol.

99jeepxjcherokee

So 4.56 gears are best for a mostly daily driver who plays when he has time? And is it smarter to do lockers and gears at same time?

caronaxtr

Yes, if you're gonna do full case lockers like I did you have to regear. Odds are for the D30 you'll need a new carrier anyways. You'll save money in the long run. Hard to say that, my 30 & 8.25 cost me around $2,000 (gears/lockers/master install/compressor) plus $ 700 for the install. That doesn't include new bushings, brake lines,......

It'll cost you, but no ****, 4.56 made my XJ run like a brand new rig. Well worth it IMO.

srb531

ok then, have decided to go w/ 4.56 gears even if i stay at 33's im sure i will like the power back, have been on 31's for 2 yrs w/ 3.54 & it lacks get up & go. rear will do a det. locker & better axle shafts , but whats best there yukons, tens, alloy usa ? or something else out there ? as for the d 30 , will pass on the RCV , more $ than i want to dump in a d30, will just do some chromoly shafts & better u joints.whats rated best in those ? i want something pre assembled w/ full circle clip joints. cant decide on how to lock the front , had a ARB once in a cj worked great when it worked , always seem to have compressor issues w/ air lockers, dont think i want to go there again.maybe a e-locker ? dont know much about those ? might just go w/ a powertrax no spin, comments welcome . thx for all the info so far.

caronaxtr

I don't know if you'd want to spend the extra coin for HD axles in the 8.25. Do what you feel is right, only you know how you wheel with the skinny pedal & what terrain you wheel on.

Front D30, I am just now plumbing my air lines to the Yukon air locker & the ARB for that matter. I've heard people say that they've had issues with air lines/compressors and such. My other option was to go OX, all mechanical. My concern was the diff cover having the actuator on it, here in the NE, it's logs, high brush & I wanted stuff out of the way. I had auto lockers in the past & wasn't a fan, especially on blacktop.

Once you figure out what you need PM Frank @ seriousoffroad & Robert @ RWKHaus, they helped me out with most of my stuff.

RWKHausSupply

Hold out for Revolutions New D30 shafts that will be out in about 2 months. They will be offered with the much larger JKD44 ujoints. And the shafts are 4340 chromoly. IDK what the cost will be yet, but I am assuming I will be able to see them for about 650-700. Thats about 300-450$ less than RCV's. AND they have a warranty that is up front and not just words on paper like RCV's warranty, that is NOT "No questions asked" as they state...

gettin_dirty_with_ruby

Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered my new transmission speedo gear from you. I have a quote for a locker and was saving for chromoly shafts, but now ill save a little longer and buy the new d30 from revolutions.