OK...I have read all of the threads I can find debating 5.13's vs 5.38's on a Rubi automatic with 37's.

With that said, I understand that the 5.38 is weaker than the 5.13 gear set. However, has anyone actually experienced a failure while running 5.38's.

My fear is installing 5.13's and forever regretting I didn't install 5.38's...

 

I was wondering the same thing

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...-D44-5-38-Auto


I decided on 5:38's, they are being installed today

 

if there is a doubt, get the latter.

you'll need to weld c gussets and install sleeves to ensure a bit more protection.

you hear about people shredding their differentials up all the time. but it's all going to be subjective to how you treat your jeep.

 

yeah, me and only after about 3 months/10 runs. granted, i wheel pretty hard and was running 40's at the time but really, i could totally see how even a set of 37's could break em. if you don't wheel too hard, 5.38's are the ratio you'd want.

on my orange JK, i am running 5.13's and 37's and i'm happy with the setup.

 

A friend of mine was running 37's when he broke his 5.38's but he wheels as well. Maybe if you don't wheel hard you can prolong the life! but I know he's the type that crawls and isn't heavy on the skinny peddle...this debate never ends....

 

Thanks for the feedback...I plan on doing the sleeving and gusseting (sp?) The housing to help prevent bending.

@wayolife were you running the 5.13's before switching to 5.38's? Or did you just go straight from 4.10's to 5.38's? If you ran 5.13's first, did you ever have a problem?

 

i was running 5.13's and then upgraded to 5.38's. i did not have any problems with the 5.13's but wanted the benefits of the 5.38's and so, decided to upgrade. they did not hold up and, while i still run 5.38's, i now have dynatrac prorock 60's front and rear and the r&p's on them are much bigger.

 

Thanks...that's what I was wondering

 

Ive got 20k plus on my 5.38s. No issues at all.

Flash

 

I have axle envy!