what's my gear ratio?

[tepawo]

I think I know the answer but I'm posting this to make sure.

1985 GW with towing package and factory axle gears. The only options in 1985 were 2.73 or 3.31 and wth the towing package I must have 3.31 - is that right?

If I went to 4.56 or 4.88 would I need a different carrier? (front D44 rear AMC20)

[Brent]

You can find out for sure by checking the tag on the front axle. If you are looking at the cover, it spans 2 bolts on either the left or the right side -- left I think...

On the rear axle, there is a code that should tell you as well: http://www.jeeptech.com/axle/amc20.html

It will tell you the gear set that is in it.

Now gears:

If you have 3.31's. You need a new carrier on the Dana 44 unless you run a thick gear set. On the AMC 20, you wouldn't need a new carrier.

If you have 2.73's. You need a new carrier for the Dana 44 unless you run a thick gear set. You would need a new carrier on the AMC 20 as well.

[tepawo]

I found a "D" on the back axle so I have 2.73's and will need a thick gearset for the front. Is a thick gear set available for the rear or will I need a new carrier?
Would a thick gear set cause any problems installing lockers? Thanks for the help.

[tepawo]

I took another look at this page >>>> http://www.jeeptech.com/axle/amc20.html and realized the axle code "D" can only be on a wide track axle which I don't think my GW could have from the factory. It's stock as far as I know. Anyone know what's going on here? Is that chart wrong? I'm wondering if the "wide track" and "narrow track" headings are switched. By the way, there's no ratio tag on the front axle.

Does anyone know where I can get a carrier for the AMC 20 to run 4.11's?

[Ryan]

I use this page: http://www.ifsja.org/tech/axle/axleid.html

But, having said that you won't have a WT rear unless someone swapped it from an earlier Cherokee WT or from a J-truck (the width difference would probably be obvious). I use some carb cleaner and a brass wire brush to clean off grime / rust / scale that can block some of the letters. Worst case, you can either remove the cover and count teeth, or jack up one rear tire and have it in neutral, then rotate the tire one full revolution while counting the number of rotations the dshaft makes. That will give you your gear ratio as well.

Carrier, we don't list one but I think Brent might have a line on them......

[tepawo]

I got back under there today and looked for more letters under the dirt but I didn't find any. I did check the ratio by jacking up one wheel and spinning it - looks like 2.73. By the way, if you only jack up one side the wheel needs 2 rotations to rotate the ring gear once.

Another interesting thing is it has the tow package (tranny cooler, hitch) and I thought 3.31 gears was part of that package.

[tepawo]

I found this chart which shows axle codes for some of the later years >>>>> http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-ax...tion-chart.htm