axle swap, what gears?

ok so the original plan was a full drivetrain swap with the exception of the D18. i wanted to stuff in a small block hooked up to a TH350 hooked up to the D18 (with an adapter), AND swap in my waggy D44's and do the saginaw steering swap.
Taking a close look at my finances and my non-jeep related projects this week, and i dont think i can justify putting that cash into the jeep when i can be putting it into the house projects (for now anyway).
New plan is this: since i already have the D44's and most of the parts for the steering swap, i'm going to just stick to doing the axle swap and the saginaw swap for now... and i'll just run the L134 for another year or 2 (it's been good to me so far ).
I will probably get started soon on the rebuild (or refresh) on the axles. So my question is this: What would you guys recommend for gearing? (keeping in mind the L134, the t-90 and the 35" BFG's that i have on right now)

 

60 hp and 35's? 5.38

 

:iagree:

 

i think thats probably what the stock axles gearing is. seems to be ok.

will they be ok at that gearing when i get around to doing the SBC/TH350 install?

 

But you run 225's with your Jeeps... Lots more umph to turn those big meats

 

4.88 or 5.38 what gears are in the 44 axles now?

 

they're from a 78 Cherokee... gearing would be 3-something ( i forget the exact ratio)

 

i totally agree. For now the L134 only needs to get me around town and through the trails. I am not concerned about high speeds. 40 mph is fine at the top end. If i need to get on the highway to get it to a trail i can flat tow it behind my TJ. Can i get away with 4:10's?

you're right though... i dont want to do the gears twice

 

:iagree:

...4.10 was the number that came to my mind for a future V8 swap...

 

not looking for jackrabbit starts. As long as i can get it rolling i'll be happy. The stock axles do "work" now but i'd rather get the 44's in there for strength and reliability (and a bit more stability from the extra width). Not to mention it will make my saginaw swap a lot easier since the steering parts are already on the front axle. i've been looking to do some more challenging wheeling that requires a little more strength than 10 spline axles can provide (especially given that i run 35's)

 

You are going to have a tough time turning/spinning those 35s with 4.10 gears and a L head. How long a time frame from swapping the axles in till the engine swap?

 

realistically 1-2 years

 

I would be miserable with anything less than 4.88's and 50hp.

I would wait until the parts collection is complete.

 

years ago we swapped in 4.10 gears into a Scout 80 with a 4 cylinder from I think 4.88's something like that. It had about 31" tires on it. On the flat hiway we could just get into 3rd and maintain speed. ANY kind of hill and it was back to 2nd gear (T-90 trans). It was miserable to drive but that's what the customer wanted so that's what he got. The Scout is heavier but the Scout 152 has more torque than the F-L head. Just a heads up..... Nickmil

 

If you don't want to regear twice, may I ask, why not wait until you do the 350 swap? Whats wrong with the axles you have now?

 

besides being notoriously weak?

 

They've stood up to the L-Head just fine for now haven't they?

I meant swap the axles when you do do the v8 swap