Considering new gears and locker options

[Old Dog]

I think what looks like the best option for the near future is to put a lunchbox in the rear and enjoy the 3.54 gears on 31s bc y'all are right that the 3.54s are a good match for these small tires. Sometime a little down the road (after several paychecks of savings) putting a Detroit in the front. Then further down the road (when these 31s get worn or blown), lift for larger tires, gear it down, with an Ox in the rear and leave the Detroit in the front.

You might want to rethink that as the carrier break for the Dana 30 is 3:54 and down 3:73 and up. If you buy a locker now it will be useless when you regear to 4:10 or what ever.
I'd still go with a selectable in the front, a locked front can make steering pretty hard. I only lock mine when I have to.

 

[IOPort51]

the steering affected by the locker is not a problem with power steering.

You might want to rethink that as the carrier break for the Dana 30 is 3:54 and down 3:73 and up. If you buy a locker now it will be useless when you regear to 4:10 or what ever.
I'd still go with a selectable in the front, a locked front can make steering pretty hard. I only lock mine when I have to.

 

[Posi]

I'm pretty sure it's the T-18a with 6.32:1 based on the info in Busa's CJ encyclopedia:

If your T-18 is stock it would be 6.32. Check the second letter in your vin it should be "M". Also, reverse should be over and up (if stock). If the second letter is F and reverse is over and down it still would be 6.32 unless it was an unlikely very early ford T-18 .

 

[txag88]

So for the most part, the consensus from you experienced guys is to wait to regear before installing lockers. I guess I'll have to start saving...

 

[Shifter]

I sure could use 3.54 gears.................just saying..

 

[txag88]

I sure could use 3.54 gears.................just saying..

I'm still in the planning process. I have a deployment coming up, and probably won't be spending massive amounts of money on the CJ till after I get back. So if you're looking to get mine off me, it wouldn't be for at least another 8-9 months