Which is the best rout to take

[tonyt72567]

ok I am fixing to rebuild the front end. I have read up on the locking hub conversion and the transfer case swap. So in your opinion is it better to go that way or keep things the way they are and rebuild with heavy duty parts?

 

[Caejxr]

A lot is kind of dictated by use and preference.

End of the day I wish I would have saved all the money in coilovers, lift kit, and parts like gears half shafts hubs and lock outs and just sas'd it in the beginning as many others have and do recommend... once you catch the itch it keeps on coming back.

The splined half shafts for the lockouts pull out of the hub if you have too much droop. And the lockouts will eventually spontaneously eject if you don't have a good 18+ gauge corrosion resistant safety wire to retain them...ask how I know...there's reasons to go that route though. Like an auto locker.

 

[96ex5.0]

It all depends on what your use will be and what you prefer, I have stock axle with Aussie locker and an np205 case but it works good for my use.

 

[tonyt72567]

Thanks guys. I spend most of my time on the road. Unfortunately. And the winters in ga aren't very extreme. But I do want her to be ready to handle my mudding and off roading but be reliable. And I am a spread freak so I kinda drive the crap out of her.

 

[1997XLTRollover]

And I am a spread freak so I kinda drive the crap out of her.

^Sounds just like my GF.

Joking aside, I've heard a lot of mixed things about the T-case swap. I've been trying to get good info for months as to if it's worth it or not and it almost seems like it's not. Some guys love it, say power is better, better mpg, lighter steering etc. and then others say it's a complete waste of time.

So as said above it's really up to personal preference. In my old age I've learned to leave well enough alone and not create more work than life throws at me already, so I'd say just leave it all alone unless your T-case is shot.

 

[2TimingTom]

You need to be real with what you want out of it.

If it's AWD, doing the transfer case swap to get low range might be beneficial. I know I wouldn't/couldn't do the trails that I do without low range. But between 9000-13,000 feet, engine power is down and the extra gearing to get up a 30% grade comes in handy.

You mention "mudding". First thing I think of is locker or a GOOD limited slip. My Trutrac limited slip hasn't let me down. Others prefer air lockers. Other's prefer mechanical lockers. We can debate until we're blue in the face about which is better, but any are better than an open diff. The rear can easily handle a locker, the front I would be much more cautious about.