I will also speak for running 33's on stock gearing, I have a 99 cherokee locked front and rear and never had a problem following anyone with gears, also like most i average 15mpg on the highway..and for lockers i run a lockright in the front and a powertrax in the rear..and i dont know if its been stated but the awsome thing about lunchbox lockers is that you dont have to re-gear..just gotta take the spider gears out..only takes me about 90 minutes now to put a lockright in a dana 30..
98 Cherokee, D30/8.25 w/4.56s locked F/R -- 3 link front IRO springs rear with shackle relocation, one ton steering w/heims, hybrid cage under contruction, 33'' KM2's
i wish i had money then id do it all, so im just going to drop an aussie in the back...its only 300$ and if i dont get bigger tires it still works good...couldn't do that with gears. If i get gears i need tires. And i cant regear myself.
about 1200$ for gears and tires
900$ for locker and tires
The differences would be
1) 33's, stock gears, locked
2) 33's, 4.56 gears, open
Seems the price to lock is the same as the price to regear front and rear, kit from completeoffroad.com d30/chrysler8.25 kit 503$ + 60$ for d30 carrier.
Are you going to setup the gears yourself???
that $503 seems cheap now, but you're going to have to factor in the fact that someone setting up your axles is gonna charge 300 minimum per axle with them in the vehicle. (300 being an amazing price, most charge about that much to do an axle out of vehicle)
and IMO spend alittle bit more and order yukon gears and yukon install kits from them, its only like 50 more per axle and its just some added assurance with a quality product.
.... and i'd get lockers first. They are well worth the money and driving on 33's with 3.55's really isnt that bad, i did it for 7 months, it kinda sucks, but its not terrible.
I would base your decision on how much street driving opposed to wheeling time your jeep will see.
If you wheel a moderate amount, the locker would benefit you more right now. If you drive on the street an awful lot and don't wheel very often, you are going to love the gears.
Comment