Different Front and Rear Gears

[bowieknife6601]

May be a stupid question but Im completely new to this stuff and not sure of the mechanics. I plan to install a d44 front axel on my willys. Im getting it with 4.88 gears. I plan to throw that in at home then drive over to a regear shop so they could change my rear 3.45’s to matching 4.88. Would that be ok for the car? Don’t plan to put it in 4wd or anything just straight to the shop. I heard of maybe disconnecting the front driveshaft or something?

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[mark203]

Deleted what I wrote, wasn't thinking it through.

You **shouldn't** have a problem, BUT if you engage FWD it will be a very expensive disaster.

 

[RudeJeepin]

May be a stupid question but Im completely new to this stuff and not sure of the mechanics. I plan to install a d44 front axel on my willys. Im getting it with 4.88 gears. I plan to throw that in at home then drive over to a regear shop so they could change my rear 3.45’s to matching 4.88. Would that be ok for the car? Don’t plan to put it in 4wd or anything just straight to the shop. I heard of maybe disconnecting the front driveshaft or something?

Just leave it in 2wheel drive and you'll be fine.

 

[bowieknife6601]

Why don't you just have the rear regeared first? Avoids the risk entirely.

The current front axle is a dana 30 with 3.45 gears. If I have shop change rear gears then drive home and swap front axle Im still driving with different gears

 

[bowieknife6601]

Just leave it in 2wheel drive and you'll be fine.

Don’t have to disconnect front driveshaft or anything? Just leave it in 2wd?

 

[mark203]

The current front axle is a dana 30 with 3.45 gears. If I have shop change rear gears then drive home and swap front axle Im still driving with different gears

Yeah, I realized that as soon as I posted the (now edited) response. What others said.

That bring said, since you are going to drop the front shaft anyway to change out your axle, it can't hurt to do that ahead of time and be 1000% certain that nothing engages. But I fully admit I am a big fan of fail-safe overkill.

 

[bowieknife6601]

Yeah, I realized that as soon as I posted the (now edited) response. What others said.

That bring said, since you are going to drop the front shaft anyway to change out your axle, it can't hurt to do that ahead of time and be 1000% certain that nothing engages. But I fully admit I am a big fan of fail-safe overkill.

I’m right there with you. Also good point. Would make more logical sense to disconnect front driveshaft, go get rear regeared, then drive home and swap as I’d have to take it out anyway.

 

[2nd 392]

Don’t have to disconnect front driveshaft or anything? Just leave it in 2wd?

As long as no 4Auto TC yes, but if the rear end shop disagrees pull the shaft for peace of mind, you’re going to do it anyway. Edit- Someone beat me to it, so X2.

 

[Old Jeeper]

May be a stupid question but Im completely new to this stuff and not sure of the mechanics. I plan to install a d44 front axel on my willys. Im getting it with 4.88 gears. I plan to throw that in at home then drive over to a regear shop so they could change my rear 3.45’s to matching 4.88. Would that be ok for the car? Don’t plan to put it in 4wd or anything just straight to the shop. I heard of maybe disconnecting the front driveshaft or something?

As long as its NOT in 4WD you should not an issue, but I would not head out to California to get your new gears installed...and MAKE sure you do NOT engage that transfer case...

I do know people who run 4:10s and above and lower gears in the front...in fact, I have wheeled with them. How do they do it? taller and or shorter tires. Save a lot of money on regearing! Or so they say...

 

[JEEP4U]

Leave the front driveshaft at home.

 

[Philly_]

Everything already been said is correct. You should be fine by not engaging 4WD, but I would drop the front driveshaft just in case.

It's a super easy removal and install, and I’ve driven around town without mine (needed a new socket) during my driveshaft swap. Doesn’t impact anything, but the reduced wight might get you slightly better mileage! (Like .01 mpg lol)

 

[RudeJeepin]

Don’t have to disconnect front driveshaft or anything? Just leave it in 2wd?

Yep, just leave it in 2wd, don't bother with disconnecting the driveline.

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