I have to make sure of something before i start buying parts. I've looked through the forum but nothing (that I've seen) is an exact match. If I have 3.55 gears and a locker is for either 3.73 and up or 3.33 and down i have to re-gear to add the locker correct?

 

Which locker?

And what rear end?

 

doesn't matter there are several that list "for use with Dana 30 3.73 and up" or "for use with Dana 30 3.33 and down"

OX for example
I just want to make sure i understand it right if i have gears in between that range I have to regear before installation.



Front end BTW. D30

 

Even the ARB lockers are like this. "3.54 and down" or "3.73 and up" so if I have 3.55's i'm out of the loop

 

3.54 and 3.55s are so close you'll be fine.

And don't some lunchbox lockers go in without even removing the carrier? Maybe you would have a bit of modification to to use, but if I'm not mistaken the gear ratio wouldn't matter.

 

Call the company to see why and what you should use. Might want to just regear anyway and do it all at once. If you get a $900 locker for 3.54s and down then decide you want 4.10s a year from now you'll be kicking yourself. Or just get a cheapo for now like he said.

 

X2 on deciding about the regearing now. I went with 4.10s right away for that reason when I got the ARB for my rear 44.

 

most definitely will go up I just wanted to make sure I was reading that right. Seemed funny that the stock 3.55 gear ratio for the auto cherokee wasn't available.

 

you will see that all the time.. 3:54, 3:55, 4:10, 4:11.. companies will sometimes list them that way, but if it's only one number off, they are basically identical.

 

there is a split in gear ratio because the thickness of the ring gear. when you go 3.73 and numerically higher, the ring gear is thicker so the carrier (or locker if you are using a full case locker) is offset more to one side to compensate for the thickness of the ring gear.
so if you have 3.55 gears (technically 3.54) than you would use a carrier that was for the 3.73 and numerically lower gear.
BUT if you want to regear, you will have to change the carrier.
so if you intend on re-gearing and using a full case locker, do it at the same time.
Just incase the question comes up, if you are going to use an ox, arb, detroit (non lunchbox), truetrac, etc. those will be full case lockers. and if you buy one for 3.55 down, it will not work with 3.55 up

 

Oh yes it does matter! A Chrysler 8.25 differential doesn't have a carrier break, you can run 3.07s-4.88s in the same carrier. Lunch box style lockers will fit both the D/30 3.54 and down carrier and the 3.73 and up carrier.