nthinuf

No way to get it 'clear'. It's a personal preference. Some are happy with 4.88, some are happy with 5.13, and some are happy with 5.38.

What you need to look at is:
Who has 4.88 and wish they had gone 5.13 instead?
Who has 5.13 and wish they had gone 5.38 instead" (or wish they had a rubi so they could have...)

Then look at who has 5.13/5.38 and wish they had gone 4.88.

You will find a very large number of people in the first two groups, and a very very small number of people in the third.

Another consideration is that your current tires are known to be small for 35's, so if you choose 5.13 and move up to a true 35 or on to 37's, you'll lose even more power.

But, since the FAQ's and the other thousand threads asking this exact same question didn't help, not sure what a few more posts with the same answers will accomplish...

crowsjeep

True story, I have thought about moving up in tire size once these wear out. So I think that is the way I am going (5.38s).

Now its what locker should I get, I went to a site that had comparisons done. But they really don't point you in a direction. I was thinking of a Truetrac, with moderate offroading I dont think I need the full on locker, ARB, OX, etc. I want something that I can get out of the driveway in winter without shifting into FWD or pulling cables or switching air or whatever.

Donka

Oh what spline are the factory axles

MOPWR2U

I've got a two door auto with 35s and 5.38s, and I think I made the right choice. If you're ever coming down to Cedar City give me a shout and I can show you what 5.38s are like.

nthinuf

X / Sahara
30 front - 27 spline
44 rear - 30 spline

Rubi
44 front - 30 spline
44 rear - 32 spline

For lockers, check the posts from Dynatrac in this thread:
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...28-best-locker

Also watch the youtube vid they posted, quite interesting

JKCliff

5.38

Flash1034

Ive got a rubi unlimited with 35s and 5.38s. I wish I had 5.55s. Get the 5.35s, they are the best available.

Flash

Red Dog

Before you make your decision you may want to contact the manufacture of you drive shafts and the folks that are putting in the gears. The manufacture of my drive lines and the company that did the gears both said they preferred for me to go with 4.88 with 35” tires. I was going to go with the 5.13. It is now like it was before, a little over geared for my taste. I hear that 5.38 can be hard on the gears (breaking). There has been posts on this issue. I personally would not conceder going to 5.38. It would appear that is not the consensus on this thread. Keep doing your home work and I’m sure you will make the right decision for you. Good luck

iwantaJK

For those of us with Unlimited X models though, we can only do 5.13's with stock axles - correct??

crowsjeep

Thanks some more

I have about a week until I purchase, I will roll it around my head some more, but the more I read the more 5.38's will fill the bill.

Looking like ARB for the locker, I didn't want to run air lines or cable, but manipulating the brakes, and having a bigger tire than they recommend is falling into the decision of what to get.

Thanks alot guys.

jeepmedic

I am very happy with my 5.13s and 35s.

This combo works great for combo city/hwy driving and my mpgs are about 17 mpg all the time.

I would not want anything lower for hwy driving, and the 5.13s are AWESOME in 4 low