Regear Install Questions

R

RugbyRef

New member
First of all let me say I apologize for the probable repetitiveness of these questions. Perhaps I'm just not searching with the right terms. Regardless, can someone please point me in the right direction as to what I will need to regear my 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to 4.88 gears? I currently have 4.10's from the factory, but I am running 37" tires. Also, I have Dana 44's, so are those good to go, or do I need to upgrade those as well? While I'm at it do I need lockers? I live in Southern Indiana, so there will not be any rock climbing in the near future. As an addition, does anyone know where I can find a detailed install video or set of instructions? I would like to see what I need to plan for. I'm very comfortable around taking things apart and putting them back together, so I will most likely be doing this myself.

Just need to get started.

Thanks!

Tim
 
TrainWreck618

TrainWreck618

Caught the Bug
RugbyRef said:
First of all let me say I apologize for the probable repetitiveness of these questions. Perhaps I'm just not searching with the right terms. Regardless, can someone please point me in the right direction as to what I will need to regear my 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to 4.88 gears? I currently have 4.10's from the factory, but I am running 37" tires. Also, I have Dana 44's, so are those good to go, or do I need to upgrade those as well? While I'm at it do I need lockers? I live in Southern Indiana, so there will not be any rock climbing in the near future. As an addition, does anyone know where I can find a detailed install video or set of instructions? I would like to see what I need to plan for. I'm very comfortable around taking things apart and putting them back together, so I will most likely be doing this myself.

Just need to get started.

Thanks!

Tim
Click to expand...

Have you ever installed gears before? If not, I wouldn't go jumping into it..
 
WJCO

WJCO

Meme King
RugbyRef said:
First of all let me say I apologize for the probable repetitiveness of these questions. Perhaps I'm just not searching with the right terms. Regardless, can someone please point me in the right direction as to what I will need to regear my 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to 4.88 gears? I currently have 4.10's from the factory, but I am running 37" tires. Also, I have Dana 44's, so are those good to go, or do I need to upgrade those as well? While I'm at it do I need lockers? I live in Southern Indiana, so there will not be any rock climbing in the near future. As an addition, does anyone know where I can find a detailed install video or set of instructions? I would like to see what I need to plan for. I'm very comfortable around taking things apart and putting them back together, so I will most likely be doing this myself.

Just need to get started.

Thanks!

Tim
Click to expand...

As far as gearing, there's quite a bit to it. There is a lot of measuring. You will need a press and related tools. Your three measurements you have to achieve are 1)pinion bearing preload, 2)pinion depth, and 3)gear backlash. These all have to be right for a proper setup. Youtube has tons of videos, but if you've never done it before, I would recommend working with someone who has if you're set on doing it yourself.
 
R

RugbyRef

New member
TrainWreck618 said:
Have you ever installed gears before? If not, I wouldn't go jumping into it..
Click to expand...

Nope...and I agree with you.

WJCO said:
As far as gearing, there's quite a bit to it. There is a lot of measuring. You will need a press and related tools. Your three measurements you have to achieve are 1)pinion bearing preload, 2)pinion depth, and 3)gear backlash. These all have to be right for a proper setup. Youtube has tons of videos, but if you've never done it before, I would recommend working with someone who has if you're set on doing it yourself.
Click to expand...

I have a couple of buddy's that have done it before to their Jeeps, but they are finishing up their deployment, so it will be a while before they get back. I will be doing the majority of the labor with their guidance.

Again...just needing to get started with as much info as I can get prior to them returning.

Thanks guys!
 
wayoflife

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
What I can tell you is that I've worked on axles, I've installed lockers, I've personally watched gears being installed from beginning to end at least half a dozen times and while I'm pretty sure I could do it right, I still prefer having a good shop do it for me.
 
J

JKDream

Guest
RugbyRef said:
First of all let me say I apologize for the probable repetitiveness of these questions. Perhaps I'm just not searching with the right terms. Regardless, can someone please point me in the right direction as to what I will need to regear my 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to 4.88 gears? I currently have 4.10's from the factory, but I am running 37" tires. Also, I have Dana 44's, so are those good to go, or do I need to upgrade those as well? While I'm at it do I need lockers? I live in Southern Indiana, so there will not be any rock climbing in the near future. As an addition, does anyone know where I can find a detailed install video or set of instructions? I would like to see what I need to plan for. I'm very comfortable around taking things apart and putting them back together, so I will most likely be doing this myself.

Just need to get started.

Thanks!

Tim
Click to expand...


Tim - You are just needing the Ring and Pinion set for each axle. Your locker is already capable of taking a lower gear ratio (higher numeric number).
In some cases I would recommend the master install kit with new bearings, but seeing as you have a 2016, you are more than okay to re-use your original bearings/shims.
Make sure you are ordering a JK specific ring gear, as they are not the same as any Dana 44 R&P. As previously mentioned as well, if you have not done gears before, I would recommend taking it to a professional.
 
benatc1

benatc1

Hooked
i agree, not sure if id jump into that one.. you should already have lockers if you have a Rubicon..
 
R

RugbyRef

New member
JKDream said:
Tim - You are just needing the Ring and Pinion set for each axle. Your locker is already capable of taking a lower gear ratio (higher numeric number).
In some cases I would recommend the master install kit with new bearings, but seeing as you have a 2016, you are more than okay to re-use your original bearings/shims.
Make sure you are ordering a JK specific ring gear, as they are not the same as any Dana 44 R&P. As previously mentioned as well, if you have not done gears before, I would recommend taking it to a professional.
Click to expand...

That's what I was looking for! Thanks very much!
 
Last edited:
WJCO

WJCO

Meme King
Also, in regards to re-using the bearings, you still will need a press to get the inner bearing off of the old pinion gear and pressed on to the new pinion gear.
 
R

RugbyRef

New member
wayoflife said:
What I can tell you is that I've worked on axles, I've installed lockers, I've personally watched gears being installed from beginning to end at least half a dozen times and while I'm pretty sure I could do it right, I still prefer having a good shop do it for me.
Click to expand...

Thanks Eddie....I agree with all of you guys just so you know. I will most likely go that route.
 
tanmanjk

tanmanjk

New member
WJCO said:
Also, in regards to re-using the bearings, you still will need a press to get the inner bearing off of the old pinion gear and pressed on to the new pinion gear.
Click to expand...
For the old bearing you could open the id up and use it for a dummy bearing for your pinion setup.
 
R

RugbyRef

New member
Thanks guys for all the great input! Over the past couple of days I researched extensively what I would need to do the job myself...with experienced help...and decided, screw this, I'm taking it to a shop! It just so happens, there is a very well-respected Jeep specialist right near me.

Again...I appreciate all of the help.

Tim
 
WJCO

WJCO

Meme King
RugbyRef said:
Thanks guys for all the great input! Over the past couple of days I researched extensively what I would need to do the job myself...with experienced help...and decided, screw this, I'm taking it to a shop! It just so happens, there is a very well-respected Jeep specialist right near me.

Again...I appreciate all of the help.

Tim
Click to expand...

Lol. Good deal. There really is a lot to it. Seriously if you want to learn some time though, contact a local tech school or community college with an automotive department. Some times they'll let people tag along while they work on certain repairs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom