Real quick: 4.5" lift in the front...want new gears....what about the rear?

[Rohls]

So I'm just about to install 4.5" coils/LCA/UCA/everything else for a 4.5" lift in the front...currently I have tired/worn 31" tires...I really want to upgrade to 33"s at least....maybe 35s(?) and know I should regear right about now...I currently have the Dana 30/35 (bleh) combo.

 

Should I go SOA? I don't want crazy lift in the rear...I already have a bastard pack and chevy drop shackles...which i could part with if need be.

 

I'm leaning towards a cheaper/better Ford 8.8 outta a Exploder with 4.10 gears...still need to source one.

 

Wanna run 33s...

 

Do I need to worry about the FRONT axle right now...? I'm 75% on road. Should I swap the entire front axle or just regear the Dana 30, which I'm guessing would be a mistake...?

 

Any help would be appreciated. Not sure which road to take.

 

Many thanks! :banana: . :MJ 1: .

 

[Eagle]

If you do SOA in the rear with a Ford 8.8. you're going to get at least 5-1/2 to 6 inches of lift. To go with a 4-1/2" in front, IMHO you're better off staying SUA with a bastard pack and shackles.

 

Here's a link that may help you decide on gear ratio: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pHFuhGgj6dQDfzyfFJH5z7NCDLW2KX3ABQgAJr3lBvM/pub?hl=en&hl=en&output=html

 

From that, you can see that 33" tires with 4.10 gears works out to almost exactly the same as stock tires with an automatic (3.54 gear). If you're use is 75 pavement, that's not too bad, and it makes it much easier than buying a new axle and then regearing it to 4.56 or 4.88. As to the front -- if you can get a complete axle out of a 4-banger with 4.10s cheaper than regearing, go for it. I'd probably just buy gears and call it good rather than spend a lot of time trying to chase down a front axle of of a 4-cylinder XJ or MJ.

[SBpunk]

If you have the money I'm pretty sure General Springs will custom make leaf springs for you at whatever arch. I purchased the 1 inch added arch on the metric tons then read someone saying they would've made whatever.

[WyoCherokee]

33's and 4.10s is fine with a manual tranny. if you have any certainty at all of going to 35's, you are going to want 4.56's. I would junkyard surf for an 8.8, and buy a re-gear package for your Dana 30. Finding a 4cy 4x4 with 4.10s will be tough. You can either bastard pack your SUA, or go with the Hell Creek 4.5 springs for SUA. Not sure if General Spring will make a 4.5 MJ Spring. You will have to weld perches on the 8.8 even if you stay SUA or if you go SOA. I am with Eagle, Stay SUA and bastard pack your springs. If money is no object, Go for the Hell Creek springs. I am a fan of the Rubicon Express 4.5 front coils. They will give you about 4.75 with a bumper and winch on the front.