Opinions - Gear choice

[oderdene]

1991 4.0 HO AW4 XJ, D30 front, 27 spline C8.25 rear; 3.05 now on 33". She is my DD and weekend warrior, mostly city driving between traffic lights

Thinking and looking for 4.56 gearing, ring; pinion; bearings; carrier for D30 etc. Googled million times, hundreds of choice, but I want to hear your opinion dear friend, which set is best for me i.e. performance/quality/price?

[NW99XJ]

Well if you're on 33's.... the best choice for getting back to near OEM gear ratio is going to be 4.56's... you might be able to get away with 4.10's.... and that may have better highway characteristics, but for the weekend trips out on the trails, 4.56's are going to be the way you'd want to go.
Dont just take my word for it, many people will prob chime in with the same advice,
But just in case, here's a common chart used to determine whats best for YOU:
http://i41.tinypic.com/30a6dr8.jpg

Now as far as what BRAND to choose, well thats going to differ greatly.
It's going to come down to budget mostly, and noise.... I have heard several times that Nitro gears are loud, there tolerances and finish/lapping aren't quite as good as say Yukon for instance. Motive is a pretty run-of-the-mill choice.... not sure good quality, but better than some, and a price point that reflects this.
USA Gear is a pretty standard choice, as from what I understand, are basically just the Yukon stuff that didnt pass QC the first time around, and are repackaged as a "lesser brand".
I would call up guys at Rough Country (http://www.roughcountry.com/drivetrain/ring-and-pinion-gears.html), they have good package deals on motive gears.
Or hit up Jeepin Outfitters (http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/Scripts/default.asp), they are a sponsor of XJTalk.com, and will prob give you a deal of some sort.
RWK Haus Supply (http://www.rwkhaussupply.com/magento/) offers AMAZING package deals for gear sets for our XJ's... just call and talk to him, he's a good guy.
Another option would be Just Differentials (http://www.justdifferentials.com/), they seem to have a good selection... again, calling and talking to a tech over the phone might help make your decision a little easier, when you hear what they have to say about the different brands out there.

[4.3LXJ]

I don't have anything to add to that Od. Just that when reading that chart up above, remember it is for 1:1 final drive. You have overdrive in your tranny, so you have to go to the next step up which for the D30/8.25 match would be 4.56

[abebehrmann]

1991 4.0 HO AW4 XJ, D30 front, 27 spline C8.25 rear; 3.05 now on 33". She is my DD and weekend warrior, mostly city driving between traffic lights

Thinking and looking for 4.56 gearing, ring; pinion; bearings; carrier for D30 etc. Googled million times, hundreds of choice, but I want to hear your opinion dear friend, which set is best for me i.e. performance/quality/price?

Are you asking for brand/kit suggestions or ratio suggestions? I have no experience with either, just wanted to make sure you're getting your question answered. :smiley-scared003:

[oderdene]

Brand sir,

[4.3LXJ]

Yukon is good is good for both, Dana for the front if you prefer. Remember you need a new front carrier for a ratio larger than 3.92

[oderdene]

Thanks fellas,

nobody beat RWK Haus Supply (http://www.rwkhaussupply.com/magento/) , their package seems really good. XJ Gears Package Deal (http://www.rwkhaussupply.com/magento/jeep-xj-gears-and-install-kits-package-deal-front-and-rear.html) is added to my list, :D

[Hopkins]

I have no idea how much truth there is to this, but I read on Naxja awhile back an "industry expert" on gears was asked about gear brand preference. He said that as far as product quality goes its all pretty much the same. All the gears are coming from the same outsourced production line and then put into their respective brand boxes. He just to just buy from whoever can give you the best deal.

Again I cannot vouch for any truth within this, but I thought it is an interesting statement to share.

[RWKHausSupply]

I would recommend a 4.11 if you are in a flatter type location where you drive hwy miles also typically.

If hilly or mostly city, some like the 4.56 better.

If it was a dedicated trail Jeep mostly then a 4.56 would also be more common.

I recommend USA Standard as they are typically the same factory made gears that other brand names box, and cost you less. Its in the install, not so much the brand on the box.

[OUTLAWXJ]

I went with G2 4.56's and a dana tru trac on front. already had a lunchbox locker in the rear. it works great. I went with a catalog for all of my parts, but ran into an issue due to my chryco 8.25.. they couldn't answer any of my installers questions.

I found randy's ring and pinion to be a wealth of knowledge, all the guys I contacted were very professional and courteous. They took interest in my issues and worked with me to find a solution. It was then, that I realized saving money wasn't exactly the best strategy.

at the end of the day. find a reputable source and they will guide you through the process.

[NW99XJ]

It was then, that I realized saving money wasn't exactly the best strategy.
It's funny... the "you get what you pay for strategy" when working on Jeeps, works for some things, and others.... not so much.

If you dont mind sharing... when everything is all said and done... let us know how much you ended up spending and on what for the axle/gear upgrades.

[OUTLAWXJ]

I have a d 30 front and 8.25 rear. I had installed a Spartan "lunchbox" locker in the rear 2 years ago. I decided a gear upgrade was due... and while I was in there started looking at front locker options. I called a catalog outfit... got a package deal, new carriers, trutrac for the front.. install kits 1100.00 if I remember correctly. The problem was, the carrier bolt wouldn't install with the thicker ring gear. Noone had a solution. A larger rear carrier is not made for a 8.25.. Randy's had the solution to shave two teeth on the ring gear.