Newbie here, some pics of my TJ

TJ_Ray

New Member
Joined
Oct 23, 2010
Location
Raleigh
Hey, im new to the forums and wanted to say hey. I've been to Uwharrie a couple times and looking to find some other fun places to go and find some groups to go with.
Here are some pics of my 97' TJ Sport:
Bought it stock in February with 110k miles for $4500
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And the rest of my money went here :)
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Monday I am having the front and rear end competely rebuilt with 4.56 gears, Detroit Tru-Trac Locker in Rear, Richmond Lock-Right Locker in front. Should help it get out of its own way.:driver:
 
Welcome to the forum.
 
The True-Trac isn't a true locker its a limited slip, so that'll be a little easier on the turdy-5.
 
Nice looking TJ. Swap that D35 for an 8.8. I picked one up at the yard for $125 and ECGS took care of the installation along with regearing it and lockers.

What lift do you have in it and what size tires are you running?
 
go to youngs in goldsboro there is a ton of 8.8s and its $40 all you can carry thats where i got mine
 
tlucier said:
Nice looking TJ. Swap that D35 for an 8.8. I picked one up at the yard for $125 and ECGS took care of the installation along with regearing it and lockers.
What lift do you have in it and what size tires are you running?
Click to expand...

It's a Pro Comp 4" suspension lift with MX-6 shocks and Pro Comp 33x12.5 Xtreme Mud Terrains on Dick Cepek 15x10 DC-2's.
 
nice jeep... i have the exact same jeep as you and i went the same route with the d35, i broke it 2 months later, now i have the 8.8 and im pretty happy how it does with 35 bfg's. welcome to the forum, i live in Raleigh too.
 
yeah, you guys are making me question the lockers all together. I was worried about the Dana 30 up front snapping an axle when I had traction. From talking to others and from the feedback here it seems the Dana 35 is my biggest issue.

Might have to go with just a gear swap for now and skip the lockers until I am ready to replace the whole axle.
 
sammi_davis said:
I wouldnt spend money on the 35 unless its paying someone to remove it .
Click to expand...

I'm still going to rebuild it and put gears in it. It has no power with the stock 3.07 gears that I have with all the extra weight of the mods and my gas mileage is crap. Even with stock gears it handled everything at Uwharrie I ever care to handle with it.

I enjoy taking it offroad but I am not building it to do anything extreme and beat the crap out of it, I'm building an old bronco for that. More than anything, its another vehicle for when we do get some snow and my others vehicles are useless or for nice weather with the top down.
 
I just hate to see you spend money on the 35 and end up replacing it later . Why not get a junkyard 8.8 and go the ECGS route ? Or hunt for a 44 ?
 
TJ_Ray said:
I'm still going to rebuild it and put gears in it. It has no power now that I have all the extra weight and my gas mileage is crap. Even with stock gears it handled everything at Uwharrie I ever care to handle.
I enjoy taking it offroad but I am not building it to do anything extreme andbeat the crap out of it. More than anything, its another vehicle for when we do get some snow and my others are useless or for nice weather with the top down.
Click to expand...

I typed the same reply a few years ago, I was in your shoes. I locked mine and it lasted 20 mins on the trail. I am all for wheeling what you got, If you intend to keep the D35, just don't put any money in to. We have guys that wheel with us that have open D35s and they do ok, I had an open D35 for 8 years on 35s (2.5liter 4.10 gears) then I busted a spider gear which caused the ring gear to fail. So I paid to replace the gear and put a locker in place of the spiders. First time I took it out it broke a shaft in the first 20 mins. Then I swapped in a 8.8 in place of it, and haven't had an issue since.

But do as you want, Just trying to save you the cash I lost.
 
gearing and swapping in an 8.8 will be much cheaper in the long run but is well worth it.
 
out of curiosity, why a 8.8 over a 44?

and I sincerely appreciate all the feedback, I just would rather avoid a axle swap right now as I am burned out on all my projects from this summer.

I'm spending about $300 to put G2 gears and rebuild kit in the rear. If that just gives it a bit of get up and go and some better gas mileage (dont really care about that, but a nice touch) thats money well spent until it breaks or I get the urge to swap out the 35.
 
burrellsjeep said:
8.8s are easier to find and people will argue there stronger. The 8.8 has disc brakes and the same lug pattern and width as your D35.
ECGS sales boltin 8.8s for what you will pay to build it your self.
http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/i-2763540-ford-8-8-rear-axle-bolt-in-tj-assembly.html
Click to expand...

OK, I am looking at this as an option. A few questions.

1) Does it come with calipers?

2) What flange adapter will I need? Dont know which shaft I have. How can I tell if it is 1310 or 1330?

3) Would you go with 4.56 or 4.10? I give it about a 20% chance I will ever go up to 35's.
 
the factory 8.8 has limited slip diff. another thing youll haft to do is a sye and cv driveshaft i run the 35 with 33s and geared 3.07 and i have yet to break mine but as soon as i can im going to swap to a 8.8 it kinda scares me to run it hard and break it and be stuck
 
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