Blown diff! Time to upgrade!!!

[my_0range_crush]

Hey guys so I did a road trip back in August and while in West Virginia I got stuck in Bear Wallow trail. Well after being stuck for about 8 hours my front diff starting to make some noise! Well needless to say that my off-roading adventures were done for the rest of the trip.

Well as soon as I got back home I decided to get my Jeep fix because it had a lot of damage done! I had the roof, rock sliders, front bumper, all fenders, and all the wheels replaced so far. Well when it came to the front diff the entire thing was destroyed!

So now I’m looking into upgrading the Dana 35 to a Dyanatrac 44 with e-lockers! So my questions are

1) what gears should I go with either 5.13’s or 4.10’s?
2) is everything going to bolt right up?
3) how do I route the harness for the front and rear e-lockers?

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[mark203]

I can't make any recommendations for your new differential, but from your photos it looks like "stuck" is a bit of an understatement.

What tore up your gears like that?

 

[ralphgb]

Your Jeep is aptly named. "Orange Crush" indeed!

 

[my_0range_crush]

I can't make any recommendations for your new differential, but from your photos it looks like "stuck" is a bit of an understatement.

What tore up your gears like that?

Well I was at a 30 degree decline on soft sand/dirt. Trying to reverse and go forward while hitting trees and rocks for 8 hours will break those 35’s

 

[5foot19]

I give you full credit.... You definitely sent it.

 

[my_0range_crush]

I give you full credit.... You definitely sent it.

THANKS! At least I’m using it for what it’s meant for

 

[ChattVol]

THANKS! At least I’m using it for what it’s meant for

I'm confused....If you blew your front diff, it shouldn't be a d35, but rather a m186(d30 equivalent). What size tire are you running? Do you have the d44 rear axle? Need more info..

 

[my_0range_crush]

I'm confused....If you blew your front diff, it shouldn't be a d35, but rather a m186(d30 equivalent). What size tire are you running? Do you have the d44 rear axle? Need more info..

yeah it’s the m186 with the m220 rear end no lockers. I’m running some BFG K02 315/70r17 tires with the method racing 312 wheels.

 

[DanW]

yeah it’s the m186 with the m220 rear end no lockers. I’m running some BFG K02 315/70r17 tires with the method racing 312 wheels.

I'd go 4.56 with that size tire. 4.10's will pull them well, but 4.56 would be ideal. Just my humble opinion.

How was Bear Wallow? I read that they make you wear helmets even in a Jeep.

 

[my_0range_crush]

I'd go 4.56 with that size tire. 4.10's will pull them well, but 4.56 would be ideal. Just my humble opinion.

How was Bear Wallow? I read that they make you wear helmets even in a Jeep.

well I plan on stepping up to some 37’s since I’ll be getting 44’s with lockers.

I don’t really recommend going there. The trails are just a 1-3 difficulty and arnt that great. The “black” trails are just flat with over grown brush on the trail. Nothing difficult. Then if you do the double black diamond trail it jumps to a 10! That’s how I damaged my jeep! Even the locals who ended up helping me agreed that the trail I was in was dumb and shouldn’t be a trail at all. But here’s a few pics of the trail its self

 

[FormerF150Owner]

Hey guys so I did a road trip back in August and while in West Virginia I got stuck in Bear Wallow trail. Well after being stuck for about 8 hours my front diff starting to make some noise! Well needless to say that my off-roading adventures were done for the rest of the trip.

Well as soon as I got back home I decided to get my Jeep fix because it had a lot of damage done! I had the roof, rock sliders, front bumper, all fenders, and all the wheels replaced so far. Well when it came to the front diff the entire thing was destroyed!

So now I’m looking into upgrading the Dana 35 to a Dyanatrac 44 with e-lockers! So my questions are

1) what gears should I go with either 5.13’s or 4.10’s?
2) is everything going to bolt right up?
3) how do I route the harness for the front and rear e-lockers?

LO

As others stated, you are definitely using your Jeep for what it was designed! I have a feeling we will never see you posting in the "my Jeep has some slight paint bubbling around the door hinges thread" or the "my Jeep has a 2 millimeter scratch how do I repair thread"! LOL

 

[my_0range_crush]

As others stated, you are definitely using your Jeep for what it was designed! I have a feeling we will never see you posting in the "my Jeep has some slight paint bubbling around the door hinges thread" or the "my Jeep has a 2 millimeter scratch how do I repair thread"! LOL

Lol NEVER!!! I’ll bed line my Jeep if it gets really bad! But she does look good with or without scratches!

 

[ChattVol]

yeah it’s the m186 with the m220 rear end no lockers. I’m running some BFG K02 315/70r17 tires with the method racing 312 wheels.

That makes more sense...if you're going to stay on those tires, rubi takeoff axles make alot of sense. However, based on the damage to your jeep in the pics, maybe you should look at something stronger like the Dana ultimate 44 front axle. 4.88 gearing would be a good fit on 35s or 37s. However, you'll still need to be halfway responsible with the skinny pedal.

Based on the extensive damage in your pics, I would also recommend wheelin with some friends that can responsibly spot you.

 

[my_0range_crush]

That makes more sense...if you're going to stay on those tires, rubi takeoff axles make alot of sense. However, based on the damage to your jeep in the pics, maybe you should look at something stronger like the Dana ultimate 44 front axle. 4.88 gearing would be a good fit on 35s or 37s. However, you'll still need to be halfway responsible with the skinny pedal.

Based on the extensive damage in your pics, I would also recommend wheelin with some friends that can responsibly spot you.

I’ll do some research on the 4.88’s! I’m going to be towing my camper trailer cross country and do some over landing so I’m not sure if the 4.88’s will cut it. But I’ll check them out.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

What I'd like to know.. did you drive it back to TX from WV like that?? I'd recommend 5.13 gears. Just do it, do the 5.13's. Don't fear the gear and you'll always wonder what 5.13's would feel like. The difference in 4.88's and 5.13's is really negligible... and if you're unhappy with the rpm range/s of 5.13's you will want to go back to like 4.10/4.56 anyway. For towing, you want 5.13's. It will make your trans and diffs happy under load.

Those tires also aren't the best for nor'east wheeling. Some mud tires (or boggers even) would have gone a long way in getting you out. Eastern wheeling w/o lockers on AT tires is recipe for what happened.

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