I am feeling the same as the OP; I didn't drive my Jeep like a race car to begin with and don't expect it to be with or without 35's. I do plan on regearing because I think if I can get even better acceleration and MPG than stock, that would be pretty cool.

North Shore of Long Island will certainly test the 3.73's. Very rocky, lots of quick ups and downs. No 1200 foot hill climbs, but a bunch of fun nonetheless.

 

If you lived and played in 4500 to 13,000 ft elevations you and the OP would want gears something fierce. But then not everyone can live in Colorado!

 

Totally agree with you on this one. I've been lucky enough to have owned both the auto and stick wit 4.10's and 35's... The stick is just fine in most conditons, the auto needed 5.13's before I even bought the 35's

Every gear is used with my stick shift, I'm even in 6th sometimes below 40 comfortably.

The auto on the other hand I would rarely ever see 4th gear no matter where or how I drove and when I did it would be a very short time before it was back into 3rd again.

 

yeah, yeah...just rub it in! I see the pics of all you out in colorado having a blast. Not like that here in my neck of the woods. Anyway, seems like the gear issue is an individual choice. For me, I didnt notice anything drastic and glad because I can put some money to use in another way. Ive hit some hills and not once did I think that gearing was a necessity. This post may be helpful to someone who is looking to mod their jeep....just wait and see if you think YOU really need to regear. You may be suprised.

 

I love how some people who own the manuals say that the gears HAVE to be changed for 35's cause its so underpowered. To those that have manuals, have you driven a auto with 35s??????? but I guess its a matter of opinion.

Now with that being said, I have 35's, 3.73's. I have seen the difference from 3.73's to 4.10's. So I agree it would be preferable to regear to either 4.88 or 5.13. I drive over 30k in 1 year, thats alot of driving. I recently made a 315mi run on 1 tank of gas. Is it the best setup, no, but its perfectly liveable.

 

I have the Manual and the factory 4.10s on 35's. I have also had the chance to drive a manual with 4.88's on 35's. The Gears do in fact make a noticable difference, but was it enough to move regearing to the top of my list of mods?? No. When money and time are available I will regear, but weather that is tomorrow or two years from now doesnt matter, the 4.10s are ok by me for now on and off road. I havent had the chance to drive a 3.73 geared Jk on 35's yet, but I did get to drive a 3.21 geard Jk on 33's and that was pretty harsh, gears for him are going to be a neccessity if he goes any bigger.

 

Hey Brain, here's the basis for that opinion.

Automatic trans with 5.13 gears, final driveline ratio.

1st gear 14.57:1
2nd gear 8.05:1
3rd gear 5.13:1
4th gear 3.54:1

6 speed with 4.10 gears, final driveline ratio.

1st gear 18.29:1
2nd gear 10.70:1
3rd gear 7.05:1
4th gear 5.13:1
5th gear 4.10:1
6th gear 3.44:1

I did drive two JKs before making my initial decision on which way to go in regards to transmission. There was a night and day difference between them and as evidenced by the above information the math to back it up. Also, the underpowered statement isn't just from the manual transmission owners it is overwhelming from those with automatics in regards to doing a gear swap.

You are absolutely right in regards to it being a matter of personal preference and likewise it's the reason I am content with my 3.73s. If I had an automatic and based on math and empirical evidence I'm not sure I could say the same, but hey that's just me.

 

I couldn't stand the loss of power going to 4.10s with 35s and an automatic transmission. However, I considered saving the money on regearing or spending it elsewhere. What made the decision for me to regear was that overdrive became practically useless. We have allot of hills around here, but it didn't take the real big ones to cause issues.

To the poster that drove in the passes along I70 I just cannot imagine. I lived west of Denver for a few years when I had my TJ. I usually took 6 out of Golden, but my poor TJ with 3.73s and 33s struggled with that hill on westbound I70.

The power I have with the 5.13s is wonderful. It feels comparable to our V8 Explorer as far as acceleration. Strong winds are the exception. In those cases the brick-like aerodynamics take affect.

 

I'd have to agree JPop... I'm on the other side w/an Auto. Running 5.13's. I also live in Northern New Mexico (similar to Colorado) and most of my driving is at 7000' plus. Could I live with 4.10's... probably. Would I want to; HELL NO. If it is a matter of a person deciding where to spend their money; well we've entered a whole new arena based on their own prioritization. To each there own. If there's anything I'd recommend to people (asside from regearing ) is to drive two Jeeps if possible one with the gears of choice, one stock... then make an informed decision. I did that and look where it took me

 

Like Chuck45 said...., I live at 7,000ft, 6th gear was useless with 410's. I went with 513s and am very happy. It certainly makes a difference depending on where you live and play.