Hi guys, got a quick question. I apologize in advance, if this is already covered somewhere else. I'm at work so I haven't really had time to search the whole forum. I have a 1990 Cherokee XJ with a 4.5 lift. I'm running 33's. I have an opportunity to buy a Ford 8.8 rear end and Dana 30 heavy duty front axle. Disk brakes all the way around. Spartan locker in the front and a ARB airlocker in the rear. It comes with 3.55 gears. For 200 dollars more I can get both of them with 3.73 gears. Am I going to notice enough difference in the Gears to spend the 200 dollars? Should I save the money and just run the 3.55? Thanks for your input and insight.

 

Who's going to put in 3.73s for 200?

 

You really need 4.56's for 33's.

 

They are already in. They are 2 separate sets of axles. I'm just trying to figure out which set to buy.

 

I would like to, just don't have the money for it right now. Saving up for a 6.5 long arm with 35's. Then I will upgrade to either 4.56 or 4.88.

 

Not enough difference in the two to make it worth the extra coin. I'm curious about this heavy duty D30, never seen one of those. I wouldn't spend too much, you can get a 8.8 with 4.10s and disc for 100-150 bucks all day long.

 

Buy the axles
save some money
get them geared, build them, whatever
then put them in.

 

Thanks xjmarc. I appreciate the feedback. Still working on understanding the whole axles and gear ratios, etc. I will have to ask what makes this axle a HD. All I know, it is that it is about 50 pounds heavier than the stock d 30 I pulled from my XJ. I got both these axles with the lockers for 150 a piece, so I think I did okay.

 

Thanks mister white. Solid advice. Already broke my stock axle, so I wanted to get something in there little more beefier while I save my money to do it right.