I'm getting ready to do an SYE on my '98 TJ (about 47K miles). I put a OME lift in about a year ago that netted about 3in of lift instead of the expected <2 so I had to break down & put in the TCD. I'm not looking forward to the TC SYE operation and I'm tempted to break down & just do a swap. Your thoughts welcome:

1) If I do the SYE to my existing TC, what else should/can I do while I'm in there? After all, it's basically half torn down just to do the SYE.
2) Trading the effort of doing all this in a cold garage vs. spending a few more bucks, what do you think about dropping in a Rubicon-esque TC instead? That would get me the 4:1 front end + the SYE at the same time.

Seems like there's very little economic incentive to rebuilding my TC with 4:1 front end (about 1K there alone) plus the SYE plus maybe some other items (HD chain, etc) vs. just buying one good to go (yeah, yeah, pride of built-not-bought...)

Don't get me wrong: money is VERY MUCH an object, I'm just trying to be smart about how I spend it.

Thanks in advance & Bring it on!
BlackJack

Look around first. You might be able to find a Rubicon Tcase used. That gives you what you're seeking. The 4:1 idea was a real winner ever since it first came out about 1996. That one was designed by a guy named Patrick Fagan who at the time lived in Salt Lake. He kind of went in pards with some folks out there and they eventually stole his idea (terra) and produced it themselves. I had one of the originals from 4:1 manufacturing (serial #14). It was a great idea and it takes the gear ratios in the diffs out of the off-road equation. About any diff ratio works well with almost any tire size in low range.

I recommend it highly.

If you can't find an already assembled case at a fair price, advertise here for one (shipping one is a*****, they're heavy.) There really are a fair number of "takeouts" floating around. People try them, like them, but want to go with an Atlas or similar.

As for your not getting the advertised lift out of your kit, hang around for a while and see what it sags to. The most common cause of your problem there is fat. Stock jeeps don't really weigh very much, but by the time you've added some heavy bumpers, a winch, compressor, 2nd battery.... it all adds up. Just for fun some time go to a public scale and weigh your jeep. Its a real eyeopener.

Dick:

Thanks for your usual high-quality response.

I realize the Rubicon TC is exactly what I'm looking for, but I've had no empirical reason to expect one to be available. Maybe my problem is that folks around these parts mostly buy 'em to wash 'em. When I referred to that in my thread opener, I was actually thinking of aftermarket suppliers, those a little bit lower on the food chain than Atlas. Seriously though, I will make a real effort to look for a Rubicon TC close by. It will be interesting to see how much Advance thinks they can get for their Rock Trac.

Re: the lift, I agree with everything you've said. I'm not upset about getting more lift, except for the fact that it forced my hand on the TC drop kit (which I hate with a passion) - the Jeep looks good! I don't expect it to settle much more since it's been a year already. I had the bumpers before the lift, but you're right, there's more to come. I'm think I'm finally getting close to getting a winch. I've held off on rock sliders specifically because I don't "need" them right now & they are heavy. Frankly, I'd rather put the money towards new axles right now.

Thanks again for being the only (so far) and very quick response to my question!

BlackJack