Doug,
Here are some excerpts from a recent discussion on Jag gear changes. I am still working on my XJS and hope to see you next year.
Geo
From the Jag-Lovers site on the XJ-S forum.
Re: [xj-s] Need to do a differential rebuild. Should I try it?
with the Jag diff I had DTS in Detroit do the ring and
pinion set-up, posi diff inspection and the stubb axle bearings. My
ring and pinion was a non Jag ring and pinion that required some
slight mods to the carrier in order to trigger my speedo sensor.
I went with the local rebuilder primarily because of
shipping costs if I had instead bought a rebuilt one from Coventry West, and
thinking that the local shop would be more responsive if things didn't work
out. If I had it to do over again I would have bought a rebuilt one from
Coventry West.
The 2:88 carrier is different from
any other. The 3.07 and lower (3.07 3.31 3.54) carriers WILL accept
any dana 44 ring and pinion WITH modification. On the corporate
dana 44 parts there are differences. The ring gear bolt sizes are
different and some pinion flange/seal mods are needed. The newer
Jeep rubicon dana parts are said to have gone back to the 7/16 ring
gear bolts though. I personally run a corporate dana 3.23 gear on
my Jag 3.31 carrier.
I've heard two versions of that story. One is that the only
difference is the size bolts used to hold the crownwheel to the
carrier. IIRC, Jaguar uses larger bolts than the standard Dana 44,
which means you'd have to drill out the holes to install it -- which
would involve machine shop work and possibly a challenging drilling
job if the gear is case-hardened at the bolt holes.
The other is that the standard Dana 44 gears are intended for truck
installations and are too noisy for Jaguar use, customers complain so
rebuilders won't use them.
There are a couple of different carriers used, you have to have the
right one for the ratio you're using. If you're changing ratio far
enough, that means you'll need a new carrier -- and those things cost
more than the gears! That's where I discovered that sending the diff
off for a rebuild got cheaper, because a rebuild shop would swap out
the carrier as required rather than charge you full price to buy one.
WELL, I changed my ratio, back in 1995, took diff. apart went
to local trans. and gear shop with just Crown& pinion, and all
bearings ,seals. he said instock, broght out parts,, and asked
what Jeep I was workin on.
anyway been 14yrs.no probs. had 3.07,went to 3.73, big
improvment,accel.
all seemed easy and straight forward,on disassem. and reass.
Yes the 2.88 carrier is unique unto itself. The next carrier is
good from a 3.07 ratio all the way up to a 3.73 gear and then you
have another split. The 3rd carrier is good from 4.10 and up. Jags
are the only dana 44 based design using 7/16 ring gear bolts
(except the reported new rubicon stuff) and every other dana 44
based platform (Jeeps, pick-ups, corvettes, etc) all use a 3/8''
ring gear bolt. DTS that set-up my diff, said that the gear swap is
quite popular and keep the required sleeves (for the smaller 3/8''
bolts into the jag carrier) in stock.
--
have a set of 4.10 gears from jeep rubicon setting on porch right
know. they have 7/16'' ring gear bolts. they are also ''thick'' gears,
meaning they will are already spaced to fit 288 carrier.
--
Great article here.
http://www.ringpinion.com/ContentFrame.aspx?FilePath=Content%2fParts%2fCarriers%2f%
2fDo_I_Really_Need_To_Buy_Another_Carrier%7e.inc