Advice, and Reccomendations.

[Lowfill]

A little background first. We have a 2000 xj, automatic, with 3 inch lift, 31 inch tires, Dana30 front axle, and chrysler 8.25 rear, and 3:55 gears. I have come to the realization that I need different gears, not only for highway use, but for lowend while four wheelin. I am thinking about 4.56:1 gears as I hope to increase tires to 33's. Two questions.
1. Am I thinking in the right about the gears?
2. Any recomendations on who to bring it to for the work. Not something I feel comfortable in doing. by the way I am in Littleton.
Thanks in advance Phil

[dieseldoc]

Phil, gears for sure are right direction.
33' with 4.56's will turn a bit high on the freeway, but you will find it will have the power for passing.
4 speed auto upgrade will be a good Idea!
Get hold of multiscuff the shop he userid in Littleton and great prices.

[Brian]

Here's a gear calculator you can mess with to see what your results might be.

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-...inionGearRatio

[Hypoid]

With 4.56 gears, at 65 mph, my Jeep should be turning about 2300 RPM in overdrive (70% overdrive for the older XJs) with 32.5" tires. That is where my engine starts to produce torque. .

I had Dutch install the 4.56 gears in my project axles, but I don't think he does side work these days.

[MultiScuf]

dieseldoc previously posted:

[96EXXLTinCO]

Heya Phil!! What they said...........

[Lowfill]

Called the guys a edge 4x4 and they cannot get me in till the middle of april, so I guess I have time to figure out exactly what I want. Thanks again all for the advice will see what happens.

[Java]

just an option, if you can live with 4:10 a lot of XJs came with that ratio and atleast the front axle could be a bolt out / in deal. I swapped my YJ's front axle, stock 3:07 for a 4cyl YJ front axle, stock 4:10. I paid $50.00 for the axle and it bolted right in.

[dieseldoc]

most the good shops will be fairly backed up.
the Brucker brothers in foco are booked like 7 months out.

[94ToyBear]

Paul previously posted:

[94ToyBear]

What is the mileage of you XJ?

[96EXXLTinCO]

Josh at sffcustoms.com may be another one to try.

[EKXJ87]

Phil is your XJ a DD?
My 87 XJ hp30/44 has 4:88 and I started with 33's and really like the overall performance both on the street and off road. I think the 4:56 is right on track for 33's I just went 4:88 because the cost was the same and I though I would eventually go to 35's which I did. Also FYI your front D/30 (is it HP30?) either way will need a new larger carrier for 4:56 gears.

[MultiScuf]

Lowfill previously posted:

[96EXXLTinCO]

96EXXLTinCO previously posted:

[ExplorerTom]

Yeah Josh is busy as hell. He cranks out 8.8 conversions into Jeeps.

I have 4.56 gears and 33" tires. Great combo for the transmission gearing in my Explorer. I'm basically the same as a stock Explorer with the 4.10 towing ratio that was offered as a factory option. If I wanted to grow to 35s, it would knock me down to the equivalent of the 3.73 ratio- which is still better than the 3.55 that I started with.

[Lowfill]

Well we all must have been thinking the same. Got ahold of Josh at sffcustoms, and he is going to build me a 8.8 with 454 rears and replace front with the same.
Best part is he can do it the end of next week.

[ExplorerTom]

Tell him his favorite Explorer customer says "Hi".