Am I thinking in the right direction?

Let me ask you this. What do you want to do with it that you can't do on 33's. I'll be honest with you I liked mine better on 33's then on 35's. If I had to do it again I'd leave mine on 33's and get a dana 44 rear. With the 8.8 that I have now I'm kind of stuck on 35's. If I go 33's I'll drag the pumpkin over everything. Also on 35's things begin to get to "Easy" and I use that term loosly. Of course I could run reds with the S&S guys but then again I don't want to destroy my jeep. If your even considering keeping that as a DD then I'd stay 33's. Ever since I put on 35's I very rarely use my jeep on the road. Kind of took the fun out of it when I get harrassed by the local cops about my tires and lift. Most of the time unless I'm in DE or MD I trailer mine. I know in DE it's not that big of a deal but it's still not practical as a DD.

Just something to think about.

I agree with the above.

I can't see wanting to go to 35's.

I would like to regear to 4.56's and maybe add ARB's on both ends.

I already have a 44 in the rear, alloy shafts for the front and I'll be good.

I loved my jeep on 33's, moderately tolerated it on 35's and wish it would implode on 37's.... I caught the bigger badder better bug and am now stuck with a $414/ month garage ornament.... anything worth running in R/C can be run on 33's.....35's add insurance against stupidity and 37's make you do stupid things...

Quote from joo

You know I've never heard it put like that. It sounds good.

So do you recommend going with a 44 rear? My biggest issues is I am just afraid of destroying the 35.

When you say 4.56 gears, does it change with an auto or a manual?

Depends what you plan on doing.

If you're going to regear and/or lock it, it would be a waste IMO to dump that into a D35.

For a DD and the mall, the D35 will prolly last a long time.

Can't really speak on the Auto and gearing, I'm sure others here can.

I would just like to be able to hold 5th gear going up a slight grade at 60 mph. Can't now.

On an auto I'd go 33's and 3:73's. Go with a 44 rear and lock it if you want. I personally liked the challenge of being open but now that I have my lockers I do like the security of having them. Build it TUFF not BIG.

Quote from joo

I ahve 3:73's now, and it doesn't work to well. I feel like I need to go a step up because it downshifts way to much.

Part of that is the programming of the computer, not sure if gears will completely fix that.

What RPM are you turning at 65 in OD ?

this is a rule of thumb that i have found.
auto manual
33-4.10 33-4.56
35-4.56 35-4.88
37-4.88 37-5.13

If you have a 4 speed auto i would go with 410s. I ran them with a 3 speed auto and 35s and it was perfect, so i would say that 33s + 4speed auto +410 = Highway goodness. Randys ring and pinion has an rpm calculator you can use.
Oh yeah and the rule of thumb above isnt bad if you run a 4 speed auto. 456s and 3 speed = Highway not -so-goodness

Quote from joo

curious why's that?

Probably be a screamer on the highway.

I agree with what everyone else has already said.

My opinions would be Selectable locker up front (for turning purposes while on trails and in 4wd, lunchboxes are not bad but really decrease your turning dramatically while in 4wd), alloy shafts. D44/8.8 rear. Possibly one already built to avoid the pain of that. Though building can be cheaper. 8.8 you would want out of a 96 and newer Explorer so that you have the disks. If putting in a new rear you should upgrade to disk while at it either way IMO. 4.10 gears. Leave the rear open unless you get one that already has an LSD in it, but if funds are unlimited another selectable locker would be great. Other then that I would leave yours exactly where it is.

Quote from Keith_C

Probably be a screamer on the highway.

Exactly. Like I said, I ran 410s with 35s and a 3 speed auto and it was good. However anymore gear, and it would be screaming at anything over 60-65.