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Jays siik xj
May 14th, 2009, 16:05
So, Im FINALLY getting around to building my Jeep... Im kinda stuck on if I wanna run it 2wd or convert it to 4wd... Im looking to go for a mild Jeepspeed built Rig as its my DD... I don't know if I should start buying susp. or gathering together the parts needed to convert.

What do you guys think?

Specs so far:
'92 XJ
I-6
Headers (not sure on brand)
Cold"er" air intake (didnt wanna run it completely into the wheelwell)
4.5"rough Country springs in front
3" leafs (not sure on brand)
with a 1.5 shackle in rear.
Rancho 9ks Front
Rancho 5ks rear
alek21
May 14th, 2009, 16:38
i would just leave it 2wd, since thats how it already is. dont have to re gear the front, dont have to worry about changing out tranny, tcase, and front axle, 2wd beams seem like they would be easier to truss. and you can go straight to buying suspension parts instead of buying tranny and whatnot. and plus its a little lighter..
XJ_ranger
May 14th, 2009, 16:53
I'd throw a T-case in there, and run it as 2wd or 4wd depending on the venue, or whatnot.

It doesnt take that long to swap from a d30 to a 2wd beam... steers the same, calipers are the same, trackbar is the same...
Ryan93
May 14th, 2009, 17:00
some guys run 4wd then carry a 2wd front beam as a spare since its a direct swap, but im not sure if your building a race car or a weekend warrior
JeepFreak21
May 14th, 2009, 17:02
i would just leave it 2wd, since thats how it already is. dont have to re gear the front, dont have to worry about changing out tranny, tcase, and front axle, 2wd beams seem like they would be easier to truss. and you can go straight to buying suspension parts instead of buying tranny and whatnot. and plus its a little lighter..

He would only need the rear housing portion of the tranny... not the whole thing.
Billy
crazyjim
May 14th, 2009, 17:49
I'm with everybody else here and say 4wd as well. The only perk of a 2wd is it'll be lighter... and not by much, but every little bit counts in a race, which is why people do it. I'd be hating life if mine were only 2wd, I've had to hit 4 in the sand quite a few times.
whooprunner
May 14th, 2009, 18:16
If you're really going to be racing JeepSpeed, stick with 2wd. The only race you could take advantage of 4wd would be the Parker Race and Baja (which is optional). If you really wanted to convert, I'd advise after the rest of your jeep is done.

If you do build a 4wd realize that the gear ratios are upwards of 5.29 to 6 ratio. At that deep of a gear with a tiny ring gear, a dana 30 would not last and you'll need to go to a d44 or 9 inch up front. My build has sucked up a lot of money, but I think money is more well spent in shocks and suspension and 4wd if you have some extra.

-Randy
Jays siik xj
May 14th, 2009, 18:22
Its just gonna be a MILD Jeepspeed build (for now)... im not gonna Race it... Just building it for pleasure...
JeepFreak21
May 14th, 2009, 18:35
...
If you do build a 4wd realize that the gear ratios are upwards of 5.29 to 6 ratio.
...
-Randy

Seriously? What's the top speed???
Billy
whooprunner
May 14th, 2009, 18:44
Seriously? What's the top speed???
Billy

From what I remember talking to some other JeepSpeeders, 4th gear is your strongest gear at a ratio of 1:1, so 5300 rpm, 6.0 R&P gears, 1:1 4th gear = 86.7 in 4th gear. Of course you'll be getting 4-6 mpg LOL.

Randy
alek21
May 14th, 2009, 18:52
From what I remember talking to some other JeepSpeeders, 4th gear is your strongest gear at a ratio of 1:1, so 5300 rpm, 6.0 R&P gears, 1:1 4th gear = 86.7 in 4th gear. Of course you'll be getting 4-6 mpg LOL.

Randy

i thought that the highest you can go in a d30 is 4.88s?
whooprunner
May 14th, 2009, 19:09
i thought that the highest you can go in a d30 is 4.88s?

Yep the guys running these gears either have 2wd or are running a d44/ ford 8-9inch. I was saying earlier that even if gears were made that deep for the d30, the ring and pinion would not be strong enough due to the short diameter.

One option is to use a rubicon 44 housing for the front. It's not the strongest, but at least it's a bolt on and you can run the gears needed.

-Randy
alek21
May 14th, 2009, 19:21
oh ok. gotcha
dakineJ
May 14th, 2009, 20:01
I would agree with suspension first,then 4WD.Without a decent suspension your not gonna have as much gofast fun.
Swamprat
May 14th, 2009, 21:59
Its just gonna be a MILD Jeepspeed build (for now)... im not gonna Race it... Just building it for pleasure...

thats what she said!

but seriously if you have a 2wd, leave it be. too much work for 2 extra drive wheels. i only have a 4wd jeep cause i like to wheel my jeep also, but i've never needed it out prerunning.
kmanxj5050
May 15th, 2009, 04:18
x2 there is no way i would want 2wd in the sand. I would be stuck to much lol
FordGuy
May 15th, 2009, 08:13
It would depend on where you might be pre-running. The problem is that The 4.0 is so frickin slow that if you are out in silty deep areas, your going to be buried up to your eyeballs without 4 wheel drive. Since you are going to be running a straight axle anyways, your suspension is not going to be that much better anyway. 2WD with 400hp is way different than a XJ and the Briggs and Stratton it comes with. Just my thought.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/skorpyoimages/misc/progress.gif
Jays siik xj
May 15th, 2009, 09:05
It would depend on where you might be pre-running. The problem is that The 4.0 is so frickin slow that if you are out in silty deep areas, your going to be buried up to your eyeballs without 4 wheel drive. Since you are going to be running a straight axle anyways, your suspension is not going to be that much better anyway. 2WD with 400hp is way different than a XJ and the Briggs and Stratton it comes with. Just my thought.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/skorpyoimages/misc/progress.gif

LMFAO! So you're saying I should just drop a big block in it?
FordGuy
May 15th, 2009, 09:40
Maybe a 400plus incher small block :rof:
BajaCurt
May 15th, 2009, 09:53
2WD with 400hp is way different than a XJ and the Briggs and Stratton it comes with. Just my thought.

Keep in mind this is spoken by a guy who is used to driving Trophy Trucks and class 1 buggies!! Not that you are wrong Rich :D
FordGuy
May 15th, 2009, 10:26
I know, but HP is just frickin fun!! That is why if you are asked, hey, do you want to run a lap in my TT, you are better off say-in no!

http://ts.vimeo.com.s3.amazonaws.com/116/717/11671789_100.jpg
NRT_Chris
May 15th, 2009, 11:57
I have never run 4wd. It would have been nice a couple times but so far not 100% necessary.

http://durkadurka.net/photocart/index.php?vp=3&do=photocart&viewGallery=1012
Jays siik xj
May 15th, 2009, 12:23
I have never run 4wd. It would have been nice a couple times but so far not 100% necessary.

http://durkadurka.net/photocart/index.php?vp=3&do=photocart&viewGallery=1012


Nice man!!!! So ive decided to keep it 2wd for now... and sloooowly gather up parts to convert... Next mods... Shocks and fenders.
dakineJ
May 15th, 2009, 16:24
There ya go.
xjjeeper19
May 19th, 2009, 21:38
From what I remember talking to some other JeepSpeeders, 4th gear is your strongest gear at a ratio of 1:1, so 5300 rpm, 6.0 R&P gears, 1:1 4th gear = 86.7 in 4th gear. Of course you'll be getting 4-6 mpg LOL.

Randy

4th gear is 1:1 in a 5 speed, if he has an AW4, 3rd gear would be 1:1.

And you are better off finding a 4wd trans, then changing a 2wd to a 4wd. With both the AX-15 and the AW4 you will need the extention housing, and a new output/main shaft. Not to mention you will need dot take them apart to replace those parts