Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators

Rear axle gearing question

s1rGr1nG0

s1rGr1nG0

New Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2019
Messages
12
Location
Louisiana
Back in 2019 I bought a used 2015 JK. It has 35's on it and also ARB air lockers on the front and rear. I hadn't done any offroading with it, (because I was still making payments on it!) :ROFLMAO:
It had been my daily driver the entire time. Last year the rear axle starting making a "ticking" sound...best way I can describe it really. Eventually it seems as though it was getting worse so I parked it.
My question is, typically what is the stock gearing on a D44 and since the previous owner had 35's on it and an air locker, would the gearing have also been changed? I know it's probably difficult to guess with just this info but there it is. I looked around on the housing for a tag or anything to find out what gearing it had but couldn't locate it.
 
mjonesjr84 said:
If the PO didn't change the gears while installing the ARB's, I would be surprised.

Stock gearing can be either 3.21, 3.73, or 4.10 gears. You can look up your build to see what your factory gearing was.
https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/vin-lookup.html
Click to expand...

Ok, looks like it came from the factory with a 3.21 rear axle. Moving up to 35's and air lockers...any idea what gears would typically be used? If it helps..the speedo is accurate and the gas mileage seems good at about 16-17mpg lol.
 
s1rGr1nG0 said:
Ok, looks like it came from the factory with a 3.21 rear axle. Moving up to 35's and air lockers...any idea what gears would typically be used? If it helps..the speedo is accurate and the gas mileage seems good at about 16-17mpg lol.
Click to expand...
It all depends. Easiest way to tell without pulling a diff cover would be to jack up the rear, put it in neutral, and rotate and count. For every 1 rotation of the tires the driveshaft will rotate the number of gearing it has; for every 4.56 rotation of the driveshaft, the tires will rotate 1 time meaning 4.56:1 gears.

Here is a chart for the 3.6. I'm getting 4.56 gears installed for my 33's & automatic currently only because I plan to go to 35's when these tires need replacement.

36gears.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: JeepJeezy
I'll bet the gears have already been changed because if it has 3.21's and 35" tires you would know it still had those gears. My Jeep had 35's on it and 3.21 gears and a manual trans and I couldn't use 6th gear unless I was doing about 60 mph.

If you have a auto trans you'd really be having problems with it shifting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mjonesjr84
Have you jacked the Jeep up by the rear end or taking it to a shop where they could spin the wheels manually and listen for the tick? It may just be as simple as a rock stuck in the rotor/rock shield or your brakes maybe (hopefully).

I'm betting you have 456 or higher gears in there. If someone spent the money to put lockers, I don't think they would scamp with having 3.21 gears.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JeepJeezy, tJKrider and mjonesjr84
72c10 said:
Have you jacked the Jeep up by the rear end or taking it to a shop where they could spin the wheels manually and listen for the tick? It may just be as simple as a rock stuck in the rotor/rock shield or your brakes maybe (hopefully).

I'm betting you have 456 or higher gears in there. If someone spent the money to put lockers, I don't think they would scamp with having 3.21 gears.
Click to expand...

I've had a tick be a u-joint. Needle bearings were shot. Also had a tiny rock stuck in a heat shield and brake pad. I got money on 4.56's
 
  • Like
Reactions: 72c10
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler JK radiators
Top Bottom