Location: Parker County, TX and Santa Fe County, NM
Posts: 4,577
Re: Re-Gearing and new Tires for DaToy
Well you're certainly approaching it the right way, figuring out exactly how every change in tires and gears would affect the truck compared to stock. In fact that's pretty nearly exactly how I decided on my new gears. With that kind of good preparation and planning, you will be very happy with new gears. Good luck with your decision and install.
The only thing I would add is: a) consider also how much more your truck weighs with bigger tires and heavy aftermarket parts, a little lower final gearing than stock will help in lugging all that extra weight around, and b) if there's any way you can afford it, NOW is the time to install a front air locker since the labor is identical to that of re-gearing. You will thank me later for talking you into adding the locker.
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N5MUD
TLCA # 16550
High Desert Cruisers
I've thought about the locker. From what I understand A-Trac can still be used when the locker is not engaged. It seems like a lockout would need to be added that disables A-Trac if the locker is active.
Location: Parker County, TX and Santa Fe County, NM
Posts: 4,577
Re: Re-Gearing and new Tires for DaToy
Quote:
daToy previously said:
I've thought about the locker. From what I understand A-Trac can still be used when the locker is not engaged. It seems like a lockout would need to be added that disables A-Trac if the locker is active.
Not needed, but turn A-trac off with the button if you want to. In practice, the front locker should only be engaged very briefly anyway.
__________________
N5MUD
TLCA # 16550
High Desert Cruisers
Not needed, but turn A-trac off with the button if you want to. In practice, the front locker should only be engaged very briefly anyway.
Yea... If I had given it more thought I would have come up with that answer. The speed will be the same on both the left and right with the lock engaged... Hence A-Trak will never engage.
Well you're certainly approaching it the right way, figuring out exactly how every change in tires and gears would affect the truck compared to stock. In fact that's pretty nearly exactly how I decided on my new gears. With that kind of good preparation and planning, you will be very happy with new gears. Good luck with your decision and install.
The only thing I would add is: a) consider also how much more your truck weighs with bigger tires and heavy aftermarket parts, a little lower final gearing than stock will help in lugging all that extra weight around, and b) if there's any way you can afford it, NOW is the time to install a front air locker since the labor is identical to that of re-gearing. You will thank me later for talking you into adding the locker.
Do you really feel the air locker is necessary? I just don't know if it's worth the money. Would the funds be better used on a new transfer case?
Location: Parker County, TX and Santa Fe County, NM
Posts: 4,577
Re: Re-Gearing and new Tires for DaToy
Quote:
pkelly72 previously said:
Do you really feel the air locker is necessary? I just don't know if it's worth the money. Would the funds be better used on a new transfer case?
In my opinion, it is not necessary for the average 4WD truck; it is expensive for the relatively few times you will really need it - but my point is, that when you've already got the diff completely torn down for new gears, the extra labor (or cost of same) to install the locker is practically zero so the only cost is the cost of the locker itself. If you decide later that you want one, then you'll have to pay the labor all over again. hence, if you think you might ever want one, now is the time to consider it. Many people willing to spend that kind of cash on new gears and tall tires are more-serious-than-average wheelers and will appreciate the advantage of having both axles locked.
An aftermarket lower-geared transfer case is a mod that will benefit you every time you are on the trail. Mine is probably my favorite 4WD mod, the best thing I have ever done to my FJC. I put in the transfer case first and the front locker later, because I waited for a deal on a used ARB air locker, and then did my diff gears and the locker at the same time. To put it in perspective, a new Inchworm Lefty transfer case is $2,000 plus installation (which would be a considerable cost if you paid someone to do it for you). New gears and master install kits front and rear are about $1,200 plus labor, and an ARB air locker is $800 (plus the same labor if you don't do it when you re-gear).
__________________
N5MUD
TLCA # 16550
High Desert Cruisers
For what its worth, I agree with Lee (1911) completely on this.
In as much as "most" will not "need" the ARB front locker, it is nice to have and adding it during the re-gear process is cost of parts mostly.
And, the most beneficial mod is the Lefty transfer case. The control both going up and down obstacles is amazing and used virtually every time one wheels (if 4-Lo that is). It also opens the door to getting the "tummy tucked", taking up the space created by the different transfer case, giving up to 4" of additional clearance at the belly.
I just had this discussion at an event this weekend where on FJC owner was debating going with a supercharger or re-gear/Lefty/Budbuilt Tummy Tuck/skid plates. There is no question in IMHO which would benefit more off-road (the latter just in case anyone isn't sure) where a supercharger would be nice but only give more power to break things...
The lefty is in my very near future. I already placed the order.
I have the complete set of rear 4.56 with mini kit. I just didn't buy the front because of funds and my indecision on the locker. When you add it all up it just gets very expensive. I might just leave out the locker for now and look for a used one to install in the future.
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