I still don't have a Jeep, but I'm getting closer and closer every day. The other thing I do every day is I read this site like it were the Bible. I am trying to decide on just the right mods that will give me the most bang for the buck and be the most aesthetically pleasing to my eye. Though I do find some great info and great write ups, I also have found some conflicting info (imagine that on a forum).

Today's subject of confusion is : RE-GEARING

I will either buy a Sahara or Rubicon 4-door , auto. Ideally, I think 35" tires look best. A jeep just looks right sitting atop that much rubber. I'm no hard-core off roader, but I like to have the option. As such,, I won't need racing coilovers or Mud Grappler tires or a $3000 lift. But then again, need is subjective.

Here is the question at hand:

If I buy the Rubicon (with 4:10 gears), will I HAVE to regear for 35" tires? What is the worst case scenario if I don't?

If I buy the Sahara, I am going to assume that 33's would be as large as I should go without a regear, but is that even true?

I have heard people on here say you can run 4:10's and 35"s together with no problems, and then on another thread, someone else says the opposite.

Who here would like to write the definitive dissertation on the regearing situation?



Also, I'll give you some particulars about the equipment I am leaning toward and you can tell me if I am on the right track, or not.

I'd prefer the Rubicon---not sure why, I'm just leaning that way. I will get 17" wheels with about 4.5" backspacing, a 2.5"-3" lift (maybe OME) and I'm thinking about 35" BFG AT. I know what you're thinking---those are not nearly aggressive enough for a lifted Rubicon. I agree, but it's a daily driver and you guys have me just about scared away from mud tires.

So with that equipment in mind, would I really need to re-gear?

 

Here's my semi-related two cents.

I've got an X (manual) with 3.21 gearing. I just fired my 35x12.5's on today and drove it all over the place. Lost a little bit of power on going from a complete stop. It'll still do 120km/h plus (75 m/h) and use the 6th gear on the flats. Going up steep hills though is where it suffers. A steep hill depending on how you run up to it can knocks that down to 80km/h (50/h). I'm pretty sure an automatic would suffer worse with that gearing though. The rubi with 4.10's might be doable. I'm sure some auto owners will chime in.

 

I'm in the same boat as you in that I haven't bought yet, but read this site religously.

FWIW, the question you ask can really only be definitively answered by one person and unfortunately that person doesn't have any experience with the question at hand...

... because that person is YOU!

Like I said, I'm in the same boat and I'm debating the same questions.

 

Alot of people on here run 35's w/ 4:10's. The general consensus is that the
6-speed owners seem to be okay with it, and most of the auto owners are not.

On another note... IMO, there is nothing wrong w/ a 35" A/T.

 

The wifes 07 Jk is a 4dr X model with an auto and 4.10's. She has the stock 16" alloys with 245/75/16's which are about 30.5". I did install an AEV front bumper which added some weight, so her JK is probably about the same weight as a Rubi. With that said, I cannot dispute anyone who says that they are driving a 4dr Jk auto with 35's and 4.10's and are ok with it, as we're not running 35's however after driving her's around off and on for the past year+, I'd have to say I would not be happy running 35's with the 4.10's.
Give it a try, but also set aside some $$$$ for new 5.13 gears.

 

4.10's will work with 35s. Will you lose some get up and go? yes. can it work with the Sahara's 3.73s? yes. If you order a manual and never plan on going larger than 35's, check into about a 4.88. If you ever want to go to 37s or if you get an automatic transmission, I would recommend 5.13s. Hope this helps...

 

I had 3.73's with 33's I had alot of power loss!! If I was going to go with 35's I would atleast go to a 4.88!! Just my opinion...

 

I will be totally different here. I have 3.73 gears, auto, and I am running 3" inches of lift and 35x12.50R15 tires.


I will NOT be regearing. Yes my jeep is still a little slow off the line, but I am still pulling 17mpg from it. Maybe way down the road when I want new axles I will change gearing. Is my jeep the fastest, NO, but it will still kill honda's with my 35's. I actually get up to speed quicker because of how much ground these tires actually cover.

My overall tire diameter is set at 33.75. Each one of my wheels weighs 100lbs. Its annoying seeing people say these things are dogs with 35s. Anyone wanna come to cleveland take a test drive just let me know.

 

Regearing is fairly pricey and requires an excellent off road shop to do the job. What you should do, is get your Jeep, lift it, put the 35s on it and drive it. See if you notice much of a difference. It could be that for your driving needs, that regearing simply isn't worth the effort or expense.

I had 4.10s and an auto in my JK when I went to 37s. I drove it like this for 2 months or so, because the gears were on backorder. Around town it was perfectly fine, the only time I really noticed that I had too much tire for my gears was on the highway going up steep inclines. I'm also willing to bet my rims/tires weigh more than most 37s out there, being that I've got far more rim than most.


Basically, get it and drive it and see what you think. You certainly won't hurt anything with that combo and 4.10s. If you get an X with 3.21s or something I'm not going to be much help in terms of real life experience, but with 4.10s I think you'd be just fine.

 

ok, I forgot about really steep hills. yes I do have to floor it for that, but so do most cars