Aluminum diff covers on a 4x4 is a bad idea. They crack easily when coming into contact with rocks.

When you get your 60's in, there is a whole world of diff covers available that are thick and indestructible. I went with the Rockcrushers (now Solid axle mfg.) for about $120.00 a pair.

 

That's good to know Bill. I'll be sure to check those out. There's plenty of bad *** Dana 44 covers out there. Too bad no one ever put a 9.25 on a jeep

Hey Bill, if you don't mind my asking, How much did you pay for your axels? I'm not trying to get beat, so I make an effort to ask when I see someone who's done the swap.

 

I probably paid more than I should have because I was looking for a matched set (same vehicle), andI was specifically looking for 4.10 gearing (which was stupid because in less than 6-months I had them changed out to 5.13's anyway....lol).

I paid $1k for the pair.

They came out of a 1998, 2500 gas engine truck with 50,000 miles on it, so the low miles was a plus, but again, not absolutely necessary becauseI changed everything out before I installed them anyway.

I changed carriers (went with ARB), gears (to 5.13's), axles (EMS Off Road Hub conversion kit and one peice passenger shaft with all chromolly axles), Brakes (new rotors, calipers, drums, shoes, hardware, wheel cylinders), upper and lower ball joints, and finally new wheels and tires.

I have about $4k more in all the gears, lockers, axles, brakes, wheels and tires, hub kit, etc....and thats with me doing all the labor!

I didn't have to do all that as the axles I bought were in good shape and I could have easily just bolted them in and ran them, but I knewI was going to run 37"+ tires and I overkill everything I touch so now I have basically brand new axles that should last me a long, long time.

Good luck on yours, and when you get them if I can help with advice or whatever, let me know.

 

okay cool. That's about what I was expecting, and exactly what I want. Low mileage and 4.10s (although I do plan on eventually running 37s, but I can throw another pair of 33s ontill I get liftedand they'll feel good. 3.55s kida suck. The only other thing I was kinda hoping for is disc brakes, but I can always change that later.

The plan:
-3 in. bodylift
- The axels, and 8 lug wheels
- 5 inch Suspension lift
-37s probably at the same time, cause 33s would look damn stupid on 8 inches of lift.
- Regear I guess... How do you like 5.13s with the 37s?

I dig that bumper too man. What is that? Alien Patrol? I love those front ones, but I need a rear one, and as you can see I'm already spending money I don't have. Good thing it'll be too cold to work on the truck for a couple months soon

Thanks in advance, cause I'm sure I'll have questions.

 

The aluminumsare pretty tough and if you are doing any serious off-roading or rock stuff you should be running an axle skid anyway.

 

That looks pretty good. I bet it will definitely draw attention while you're driving down the road. I need to spend some time under my truck some weekend and do some sanding and painting to make it look nice. I may have to go with some sort of cover eventually too.

 

oh yeah there was something I forgot to mention. When you're draining the old gear oil don't get any on you. I can't seem to wash the stink out of the clothes I was wearing [:'(]

 

90 Weight never goes away lol.

 

haha never!

Cereal,
throw a ..throw a cummins in that bitch

nhlbill,
you really do have a hell of a setup going on dude
looks great!
5.13s are pretty up there!
but you have 5-speed with the 5.13s which makes the 318 awesome

how did u do your shackle flip?
im interested in going up about 2 more inches

 

Hah, that'd be nice...
Got lots of things to do before I get that carried away