So I know I need either a locker or 3.92 and up carrier for my 4.88 gears. An ARB is too expensive right now but is in the plan for the future (would rather lock the rear first then come back to the front). I have found dozens of "Bare Carriers" online for around $70 where a loaded carrier is around $170.

My first question is do I need a loaded carrier or will the stock D44 spider gears and pinion shaft fit the 3.92 and up carrier?

Also how does everyone feel about "Thick Gears"? I can get a full install kit for about $258(completeoffroad.com) whereas a standard gear install set is $228(completeoffroad.com) plus the $170(BJsoffroad.com) for loaded carrier. I know this still leaves me with an open diff but I can buy a 3.73 and down locker in the future, right?

All input is appreciated,

Will

Hmmm... tricky question. It's above my head. I'll post your question on my local club's board. A few of those guys run their own offroad shops and know D44's in and out.

Thanks Drake.

Here is one reply so far that should help you out some:

Stock spiders will fit both carriers.
Thick gears are fine as long as you are aware that you have to drill the ring gear bolt holes in the carrier to 7/16".

A few more replies from my local guys:

If he is using the spiders, he'll need to either notch the ring gear or the cross pin in order to get the cross pin in/out. I've seen it done both ways but have done either myself so I have no valid opinion on which is better or easier.

A reply to the previous post:
Im pretty sure hes talking about a front, in which case he would have no reason to take the kingpin out of the spiders with the ring gear on. He can just put the spiders/sidegears/kingpin on before he puts the ring gear on.

An opinion over locking the front versus the rear first:
I would argue that is the wrong decision first. Assuming this is a daily driver (which may be bad assumption) a locker in the front would cause much less intrusion on street driving (since the hubs would be unlocked), and with the engine weight over it, arguably be more effective offroad as well.

I hope these guys are helping you out. Let me know if you have other questions and I can relay it to them.

Thanks Drake the info has been helpful. I will post up any future questions in this thread.

Will

Have you looked into any of the other selectable lockers out there? The OX or ECTED would be much cheaper than an ARB and less involved than the compressor set-up. If you want to have an ARB because it's the only thing available for the rear, I would do it now, even if it's not hooked-up. No point in putting an axle together just to tear it down and rebuild it in a short while.

As far as locking the front first, I have heard this argument a hundred times and it always comes back to this; The vast majority of the situations in which you will need a locker are going to be when climbing up something, in which case most of the vehicles weight will be on the ass-end and that's where the traction needs to be. it's not often that you get stuck going down hill. So unless you wheel in a very flat area or mostly just mud, I'd be more concerned with locking the rear than the front.

Just my $0.02

Yeah I have been looking into the ECTED and that is probably what I will go with. Money is a major deciding factor in which routes I take now, I am very much a nickel and dime kind of guy when it comes to mods. I have also been thinking about building a better rear off the truck and then installing it in the future at the same time as the front locker.