teh godly iornhorse 4.0 with an ax-15 tranny, 35s and some WaaHoo. trying to figure out if i want to go 4.10s or 4.56s. im looking for opinions from people who have either owned both or one of the two. ive been stuck between the options while saveing up the money. looking to get this started 2 days ago.
and as always..

 

4:56 when your on 35's and have the do to install fresh gears of choice.
4:10 won't be enough go go for the 35's but could be an economical choice if one was on a budget and had access to a donor 4cyl XJ.
If your going fresh, get the 4:56. Steps after will be the best u joints u can find (precision super strengths at a minimum) and perhaps an axles set upgrades.

 

Use the gear calculator at www.grimm jeeper.com.
Use the pull downs to select your components, gear ratio and tire size. You can do a side x side comparison of 2 different ratios and you'll quickly see what work best with an AX15 gets you very close to the stock power band.

 

while this is very true. ive used to calculator and i was looking for opinions.. i kind of remember what it was like to drive a stocker.. but ive never been overgeared. wanted to know if its worth it to overgear or to keep it near stock

 

I understand what your looking for, but opinions on gears can be pretty far apart, sort of like asking what the best lift kit is.

One guy might like screaming down thee black-top at 55 mph@3750 RPM but his gas (and motor) aren't going to last that long.

Someone else may not mind taking 10 minutes to go from Zero to 55mph. (BTDT)

Opinions are all fine and dandy, but having the numbers to compare will be far more valuable when deciding how to spend your money.

 

I ran 31's on my ax15 with 3.55's and the speedo went the other way and was a tad over power (from stock not as in power is a bad thing)... Could have ran a 33... Im installing a 4.L10 8.8 right now in my MJ with the same setup and a 4.10 dana 30... Sold its original dana 44 and got these two axles for the same price... So it made sense... Also im running aluminum wheels to keep them light as possible... But I think itll be plenty fine... 4lo does wonders offroad so I dunno why everyone wants low gears so bad... On the road they drink up gas... Also the lower gear u go the weaker your gears in most if not all cases...

Course i got 5.38's for the XJ's 40's and think i would trade for a set of 4.88's and do a tera low or doubler instead of I could do it again... Oh well... Ill see if I break it first I guess... Lol

 

When in doubt GEAR LOWER !

 

If end up with 4.10s just do the 8.8 swap

 

Why?

 

Cheaper... Axle cost less then the gears... Install kit cost as much as simple axle swap... Everyone knows someone that can weld... Save on the gear install costs... And its stronger... And u can get lsd... But depends if u plan to lock it or not... Lol

 

Cost of the axle?
New perches?
New shock mounts?
New shocks since the mounting points are now different?
New u-bolts?
How about u-bolt plate?
Companion Flange (if you don't score one at the JY)?
E-Brake cables and/or mods?
Are you sure you want Cousin Zeb to toss some booger welds on or ya?

No, it's not a given that the 8.8 is a cheaper option.

 

I've done 8.8 swaps for 400 including the axle. Most Junkyards have them for cheap.

That's cheaper and stronger than someone paying to regear a factory axle

 

Paid $150 for my 4L10 8.8 with 140k miles and pulled it myself... Brakes and all...

Ruffstuff simple axle swap has perches, ubolts, long nuts, washers, 1/4 plate and shock mounts for $130 shipped

$14 brake line extension from AZ

$26 for the driveshaft flange conversion for the oem joints to this axle... Forgot the company I got it.but can find again...

Use the long 8.8 oem parking brake cable on both sides (ditch the short drivers side one)... Probly $10 or $15 at a JY I dunno havent messed with it yet but google says it works...

And I welded my own on... Also ruffstuff swap allows the axle to be centered, pushed forward or back an inch so I didnt need to build a driveshaft...

I sold my dana 44 for $350 so I have very little money in this... It would have cost me way more to regear... Disc brake swap and add lsd or lunchbox... though I didnt gain much if any strength (whole different argument lol)

 

Sure it can be done on the cheap with a little luck. But it's not the panacea that some think it is, that's all.

FWIW, just did this for a local ZJ owner.

 

Im from GA... That word has to many vowels in it... No understood... Lol