Georgia Trail Riders Forum

MEMBERS DISCUSSION AREA => General Discussion => Topic started by: Ben H. on April 23, 2008, 10:39:42 PM

Title: I've been thinking...
Post by: Ben H. on April 23, 2008, 10:39:42 PM
Ok, right now I have an Aussie Locker for a D44a and I'm searching for an axle to put it in. Its hard to find one that is less then $300 local and I'm not having luck finding any deals. Well, this particular locker has now been discontinued and it is the only one available for the D44a. Not a huge deal for the ZJ guys but pretty bad for the WJ guys since there aren't really axle swap choices for them without serious work. So, like I said, I've been thinking and would like some opinions. I basically got it narrowed down to 3 options.

1. Find a D44a and install it along with the locker.

2. Sell the locker for $400+ and use that to help buy a new 4.5" lift.

3. Sell the locker and find an 3.73 geared 8.8" and install that.

Now, I could probably still get the lift and hang onto the locker until I can get around to affording an axle again, but I'm not sure. There are just a couple of things running through my head. One is that I will be keeping my 31"s no matter what I do and an 8.8" swap just doesn't make since for only 31"s. Plus I would probably reuse my stock brackets and that means my Jeep would be undriveable until I complete the swap. But it would be nice to have one axle swap for a while. Also, I don't want to sell the locker, get the lift, and then decided I don't want an 8.8" and I would have to buy a locker again. So, as you can see, I've got several scenarios and I would just like some opinions.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Will on April 23, 2008, 10:55:04 PM
My opinion is to get the rear end you want, the first time. And if the 44 is the one you want, then hold out until one shows up near you. You've already got the locker and you happened to pick it up before they started getting expensive. That's what I would do, but I've got rear end fever at the moment  ::)

Had to change my avatar to combat all that nasty orange.  ;D
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: DOUG on April 24, 2008, 05:49:07 PM
but I've got rear end fever at the moment  ::)

TMI  !!!    :D
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Will on April 24, 2008, 07:01:23 PM
but I've got rear end fever at the moment  ::)

TMI  !!!    :D

ha, get your mind out of the gutter.  ()()    nln
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Krawler00 on April 24, 2008, 08:22:37 PM
Will, why does this always happen to you?  ;)
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Will on April 24, 2008, 11:29:18 PM
Will, why does this always happen to you?  ;)

I post too much and too fast. haha Whatever I'm thinking usually ends up on this forum. But I'm the innocent one. You guys are the ones that turn my words around.  :P

So Ben H, what's the verdict at the moment?
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Ben H. on April 24, 2008, 11:38:35 PM
At the moment, I am going to find a D44a and lock it. That way I can keep ABS and it's just a bolt in affair with no welding. I'm still planning on lifting it this summer, just not all at once. Think I will go up to 4.5" but keep the factory control arms and then with stimulus check and birthday money, get IRO's bolt on long arms if I can.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Will on April 24, 2008, 11:53:29 PM
What tires will you run eventually with that lift?
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Ben H. on April 25, 2008, 12:03:02 AM
What tires will you run eventually with that lift?

The 31"s I have now. I could fit 32"s with no trimming and 33"s with a little trimming but it won't look bad with the 31"s and why buy new tires when I have plenty of tread on my current ones.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Will on April 25, 2008, 12:07:26 AM
What tires will you run eventually with that lift?

The 31"s I have now. I could fit 32"s with no trimming and 33"s with a little trimming but it won't look bad with the 31"s and why buy new tires when I have plenty of tread on my current ones.

Oh, I wouldn't get ride of them. Sounds good man. And you'll have tons of flex too.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Ben H. on April 25, 2008, 12:11:41 AM
Not sure what size lift or what size tires but here is what it can do.

(http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/3738/2357838770103254412S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2357838770103254412IPUyqm)

(http://inlinethumb04.webshots.com/42435/2624461400103254412S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2624461400103254412wryili)

(http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/41372/2343456390103254412S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2343456390103254412zAVZiF)

And here are the front arms, it is Tri-Y arm. It is the same style arm that Seth has on his WJ, but for the ZJs.

(http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/41094/2508462040103254412S500x500Q85.jpg) (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2508462040103254412fTkTlX)
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Krawler00 on April 25, 2008, 08:45:21 AM
That is a killer rig!! I like seeing those in the air and being used!
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: ranger11 on April 25, 2008, 03:04:04 PM
If you are staying with 31s why do an axle swap?

Also if the 31s have a lot of tread spend the money on the lift and keep your eye out for a rear end. Things are always cheaper when you dont have to have it right now.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Krawler00 on April 25, 2008, 03:33:45 PM
Those are some words of wisdom right there boys!
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Ben H. on April 25, 2008, 04:12:37 PM
If you are staying with 31s why do an axle swap?

Also if the 31s have a lot of tread spend the money on the lift and keep your eye out for a rear end. Things are always cheaper when you dont have to have it right now.

Because right now I have a D35 with drum brakes behind a V8. I already have a locker for a D44a which is a bolt in affair plus it has disk brakes.  I should be able to find it cheaply, but that hasn't happen yet. Plus, if I had to choose between a lift and a locker, I would choose a locker.

With a lot of the trails I have been on, traction has been a bigger issue then ground clearance.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: ranger11 on April 25, 2008, 05:48:36 PM
I agree with the locker being better than the lift. And forgot you have a v8. It seems you want the axle more so I would keep looking and keep saving for the D44a.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: DOUG on April 25, 2008, 09:17:41 PM
Those are some words of wisdom right there boys!

x2 big time.  True about a lot of areas of life, but really hits home on a 4wd build.  We can all find what we want/need for a deal if we are willing to wait.  For some reason I can't wait.  Can you?
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: urdaddyjeep on April 27, 2008, 04:54:51 AM
ok so if this dosent make since it is cause of the bottle of Jager I drank tonite... lockers of lift... i say depends on what you do most... if you rock climb then its a tss up but i say lockers, if you mud then lockers, well lift ... Chuck Norris says lift.... soi I say lift too... rock climbing you need lockers front and rear for mud its nice but crap i think i might have this assbackewaRDS HERE... WHAT EVER YOU DO THE MOST WILL BE THE FINAL FACTOR IN WHAT YOU DO as far as the lift or lockers... i just lost t my rain of thought.. good nite allll
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Ben H. on April 27, 2008, 12:49:07 PM
ok so if this dosent make since it is cause of the bottle of Jager I drank tonite... lockers of lift... i say depends on what you do most... if you rock climb then its a tss up but i say lockers, if you mud then lockers, well lift ... Chuck Norris says lift.... soi I say lift too... rock climbing you need lockers front and rear for mud its nice but crap i think i might have this assbackewaRDS HERE... WHAT EVER YOU DO THE MOST WILL BE THE FINAL FACTOR IN WHAT YOU DO as far as the lift or lockers... i just lost t my rain of thought.. good nite allll

Jagar 1, urdaddyjeep 0. Haha.
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: RotorHead on April 27, 2008, 12:52:57 PM
Yeah, Jager won this one I think. Good thing about Jager is how wonderful it makes you feel the next day. Anybody care for a greasy pork chop served up in a dirty ashtray?  ;D
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: urdaddyjeep on April 27, 2008, 04:07:55 PM
Jager makes me feel good the next day.... other then the squarts.. but  {btt}  Lockers are used for both as everyone knows, but my questions what do you do the most?? And if you rock climb then I would say it would have to be the lift first reason why is you will need the clearance when rock climbing... but you all know that... just pick one and when you have the money and time pick the other one up
Title: Re: I've been thinking...
Post by: Ben H. on April 27, 2008, 07:56:27 PM
I'm doing the locker first. The only time reason I would sell the locker for a lift is to get it finished faster, but I realize that I don't have to do everything I want at one time.