Maybe in over my head? 33'
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
She's going to 33" tires.
Yes remove the TC drop kit it is hard on the trans and motor mounts. With an SYE and does require another driveshaft, can use another front one from an XJ or others. But I found by the time you buy another shaft, replace the u-joints and everything I bought a new one online for $199 with large joints in it for not much more.
As quality goes the RC kits are not known for that but the kit gives you all the pieces you need. I would get different shocks instead of those like the Bilstein 5100 series a world of difference in shocks. But you can get buy with it.
As for differentials not knowing what you have now but I think its a 97 so only if it is a D35 do you really need to consider changing it. Chy 8.25 if its a 8.25 and the HPD30 your good to go. Gears for both are <$500 a set lunchbox lockers not much more and I paid a 4x4 shop $400 to install everything so under $1500 not $5000 for you. I just used better lockers in mine was all.
Yes remove the TC drop kit it is hard on the trans and motor mounts. With an SYE and does require another driveshaft, can use another front one from an XJ or others. But I found by the time you buy another shaft, replace the u-joints and everything I bought a new one online for $199 with large joints in it for not much more.
As quality goes the RC kits are not known for that but the kit gives you all the pieces you need. I would get different shocks instead of those like the Bilstein 5100 series a world of difference in shocks. But you can get buy with it.
As for differentials not knowing what you have now but I think its a 97 so only if it is a D35 do you really need to consider changing it. Chy 8.25 if its a 8.25 and the HPD30 your good to go. Gears for both are <$500 a set lunchbox lockers not much more and I paid a 4x4 shop $400 to install everything so under $1500 not $5000 for you. I just used better lockers in mine was all.
Thank you for all of the help! Do you have links to the gears that you bought?
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 688
Likes: 33
From: Maryland
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Maybe in over my head? 33'
Before buying your gear set definitely check pricing for install in your area. Around here it can be much higher than the $200 Fred paid. He got a great deal IMO.
As for the cheap lift kits you will get what you pay for. At the end of the day if you dont like how your Jeep rides you havent saved anything. From someone that tried to go cheap and now has a lot of the recommended parts (on this forum) save some money and buy a well reviewed quality lift. If a kit had a mix of reviews going both ways its likely you will end up on the dissatisfied side. JMO Wish you lots of luck.
As for the cheap lift kits you will get what you pay for. At the end of the day if you dont like how your Jeep rides you havent saved anything. From someone that tried to go cheap and now has a lot of the recommended parts (on this forum) save some money and buy a well reviewed quality lift. If a kit had a mix of reviews going both ways its likely you will end up on the dissatisfied side. JMO Wish you lots of luck.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes I bought my gears from Rustys Off Road his sight is easy to use my were for a D30/Chy 8.25 (4.56's) and just under $500 for both gear sets including master install kits.
I live in a area with a lot of 4x4's so quite a few 4wd shops around the one that I use for all my work has been in business for 27 yrs and fair on prices. All areas aren't quite as fair and rip people off. They installed my gears & lockers in less than a day for $400 total (all labor) for it.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 6
From: Mercer County, NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
Yes I bought my gears from Rustys Off Road his sight is easy to use my were for a D30/Chy 8.25 (4.56's) and just under $500 for both gear sets including master install kits.
I live in a area with a lot of 4x4's so quite a few 4wd shops around the one that I use for all my work has been in business for 27 yrs and fair on prices. All areas aren't quite as fair and rip people off. They installed my gears & lockers in less than a day for $400 total (all labor) for it.
I live in a area with a lot of 4x4's so quite a few 4wd shops around the one that I use for all my work has been in business for 27 yrs and fair on prices. All areas aren't quite as fair and rip people off. They installed my gears & lockers in less than a day for $400 total (all labor) for it.
OP, make sure you ask around local jeep groups, to you, where they got their gears done. Those are something that you don't want some assclown doing. So don't just jump on a good install deal do your homework.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Oh how right he is! I have done countless 9" fords over the years for my race cars always setup on a bench those I know. The D30 & Chy 8.25 knew nothing about them and didn't want to even try to install when in the Jeep.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,692
Likes: 6
From: Mercer County, NJ
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
My old club I was in, this dudes YJ, place had to do it 3 times to get it right. Only reason he kept going back was because it was warranted. Never went there again
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 3
From: California
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I've been running 3.55 gears + 33's on mine for 3 years just because it's so expensive to do in one shot. I do about as much as you can with 33's with no problems. I've also had a D44 in the back yard to replace the C8.25 for a couple years just to complicate my options.
I'd put the best 2 matching in diameter on the rear and then next best choices on the front. Then only use 4WD in the dirt. This all assumes they are all actually offroad tires and not faux-offroad tires we all see on super big, lifted, pickups.
I'd put the best 2 matching in diameter on the rear and then next best choices on the front. Then only use 4WD in the dirt. This all assumes they are all actually offroad tires and not faux-offroad tires we all see on super big, lifted, pickups.
Last edited by McCaffrey; Aug 28, 2015 at 11:24 AM.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
Model: Cherokee
Several issues need to be checked with the tires #1 is the exact measured height of each one. You will find different brand and amount of wear will result in differences in them you need a "Full Set of 4" of the same height if you use 4wd. A small amount of difference is OK but an 1" or so is not either front to back or side to side.
For a 33" tire you need a 4.56 gear if you have the AW4 trans you have the 3.55 stock gearing. When you do regear you must do both front and rear not just the rear unless all you run is 2wd. The stock gear will be very doggy on and off road with trans up/down shifting all the time causing it to overheat. On a 33" tire and stock gear I changed to a 4.56 and gained 5 mpg on the highway and a lot more power. If you mud very much a locker is a big help and can be installed with the gear with no extra labor.
Here is my XJ when it had a full leaf/coil 3" lift with 33x12:50x15's
For a 33" tire you need a 4.56 gear if you have the AW4 trans you have the 3.55 stock gearing. When you do regear you must do both front and rear not just the rear unless all you run is 2wd. The stock gear will be very doggy on and off road with trans up/down shifting all the time causing it to overheat. On a 33" tire and stock gear I changed to a 4.56 and gained 5 mpg on the highway and a lot more power. If you mud very much a locker is a big help and can be installed with the gear with no extra labor.
Here is my XJ when it had a full leaf/coil 3" lift with 33x12:50x15's
running 4.10's on 33s here, runs just fine down the highway, no lack of acceleration or low end power.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Suffers the most in MPG but also off road also all you need to do is check any list for the proper gear for a 33" tire. I'm a bit weak when I put my 35's on but they are for off road use only no highway use at all for them, trailer only. But 4.88 have a weaker pinion than the 4.56's are why I chose them fro the Chy 8.25 and with strength so close to a D44 why change other than options offered for the D44 more of them.
Some say everything is great with a 3.55 gear and 35's, what can I say.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Lots of good info here, thanks!
I only have 2 or 3 4x4 shops around me. Both good ones want a lot of money to re-gear. At this point, maybe I should just drive out to MO and do it there XD
But after all the reading, I definitely need time to save up some cash for all of this. I'm going to do the re gear, better safe than sorry. I'd like to go a little better quality on the lift kit, but I don't know if I can afford the one you linked me to. But save and save, and I'll get there : )
At this point, does anyone else get nervous sinking this much money into your Jeep? I love my Jeep, and this hobby, but now I've spent more money on parts than the Jeep lol. I guess next time I get a Jeep, I'm going to buy all of this stuff already done.
I only have 2 or 3 4x4 shops around me. Both good ones want a lot of money to re-gear. At this point, maybe I should just drive out to MO and do it there XD
But after all the reading, I definitely need time to save up some cash for all of this. I'm going to do the re gear, better safe than sorry. I'd like to go a little better quality on the lift kit, but I don't know if I can afford the one you linked me to. But save and save, and I'll get there : )
At this point, does anyone else get nervous sinking this much money into your Jeep? I love my Jeep, and this hobby, but now I've spent more money on parts than the Jeep lol. I guess next time I get a Jeep, I'm going to buy all of this stuff already done.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 17
From: Monett, MO.
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I paid $1800 for my 99 and really can't give you a total invested to date, but if you look at if as far as resale stop now. Its a toy or mine is anyway like custom and race cars you will never recoup your investment just a fraction if your lucky.
Just have fun and watch your budget, don't get in over your head on a toy.
Just have fun and watch your budget, don't get in over your head on a toy.
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