Need some confirmation.

My TJ currently has a 4" lift, 33" Duratracs, 4.0L, 5spd with 3.55 gears.

After much reading here on the forum I've decided that 4.56 gears and a front tru-trac locker is the way I want to set my Jeep up.

Dana 35 rear/Dana 30 front.

Here's where I need some advice. Called a reputable 4x4 place in the area. Gave them all the info. Said I would need a new carrier for the rear. Is that correct? Unsure where the break is for the gear change. Quoted me almost $3000.00 to do the Job.

Is this a realistic price? I've priced the master kits on line. No where near that price. They are apparently making a lot on their labor.

Please let me know if I'm off base with my thoughts.

That would be news to me considering I want 4.56s in my D30/D35 combo. I only knew the 4.88 was the limiting factor in the D30.

I've heard guys say a fair price to regear front & back is usually $1200 - 1500 (lots of labor in this process)..... From my limited google search, looks like the true-trac is about $400-500.

These are labor intensive jobs that's for sure and that quote isn't out of the realm of reality to do it either. The shop is correct that you will need new carries for 4.56 and 4.88. I think you can find used ones for rather cheap that will work just fine if you want to try to save some money.

I also want to ask why you're going with a locker in the front? An auto locker in a dana 30 can be disaster in certain situations. Not a lot of room in there and too much romping or sudden torque can shatter your front diff. Depending on how you want to use your Jeep I'd recommend locking the rear first. My two cents from my very expensive experiences with having an auto locker in my front d30.

Thanks for the replies.
From my research on the forum here it is a bad idea to lock the Rear D35. Seems to be the general consensus to leave that one alone until you upgrade to a 44/8.8.
Locking the front D30 is acceptable as long as your understand the characteristics in wet, icy or snow packed roads.

You sir are well informed! I'll add to never bounce the front end under any throttle with a locker in there either haha.

Should cost closer to $2000. Shop probably does not want the job and gave you an outrageous quote

I would look for some cheaper estimates before you commit. That's a little on the higher side. I'd say with all the parts and labor you should be closer to 2k than 3k.

Look for a cheaper price and use the saved money for some chromoly axles up front.

My first regearing cost me $1300, my last one was just under $1100... including all parts and labor for both axles. Some shops will quote an outrageous price at first hoping a clueless buyer will naively agree to it without haggling/pushing for a reasonable discount.

I just want to make sure, if I want to put in 4.56 gears when I buy 33's, I have to buy a bigger carrier for my Dana 35? Would it be cheaper to just scalp a D44 somewhere? I didn't even know they sell carriers separately. Thanks.

I got another call in to a different place. Waiting on a return call for their quote.

Thanks again everyone.

I should also point out that I'm in Fairfax County, VA which has the highest cost of living in the country and labor rates are ridiculous! What's "reality" for me isn't for most of the rest of the country.

My last carrier cost me $60 brand-new from a local discounted source, they probably go for $80 more commonly. If your current ratio is 3.07, you need a new Dana 35 carrier. If it's 3.55 and lower (like 3.73), then you don't need a new carrier to go to 4.56.

If you have 3.73 or lower, you don't need a new carrier for the front. If you have higher ratios like 3.07 or 3.55 up front, you would need a new carrier for your Dana 30.

In ratio-speak. a 3.73 ratio is a lower ratio than 3.07 is. Or 3.07 is a higher ratio than 4.11 is.

Crap. It looks like me an my 3.07s need to hit the road. Thanks Jerry. These 33's are getting more and more expensive and I haven't even bought them.

$1900 regear front and rear to 4.88 with TrueTracs.

$1000 was the initial quote for the regear labor and parts, then I added the TrueTracs F\R for an additional $900.

Trust me I know. I would argue that Long Island is just as high, lol.
150-175 labor at typical gas station shops.
Dealers are getting upwards of $200 per hour, maybe more.


The only other thing I can think of to save some money in labor is make a post in the regional sections of Jeep/4x4 forums. See if there are any local guys that do side work. Just make sure that the person has a good following of customers that are happy. That's how mine were done. I found a local jeep enthusiat who is a mechanic by day and does side work in his shop after hours. A ton of people recommended his work , specifically gears, and that made me comfortable enough to let him do the job. I saved half of what I would have paid through a random shop.

This will apparently have to wait a while. $2400 was the quote from the other place. I expected quite a bit less. I'll keep looking and saving.

Give Dale Engineering in Harrisonburg a call. Yes, it's a little bit of a drive, but these folks have a pretty good reputation and it should get you away from the NoVa price gougers. I have not used them, but again, they have a good rep. 540-867-5195.

Yeah keep looking those are crazy prices. I paid $2550 all in for regearing to 4.88's, master install, and yukon zip lockers front and back last weekend. Plus I'll be getting a $100 rebate (promotion) from yukon for the lockers. Just less than a grand for just the regear total. Revolution gears.

So after reading this i understand that i would need new carriers from going from 4.10 to 4.88?