Hello Everyone!

I'm brand new to the Jeep World and Forum, but just bought my first JKU in April (Automatic, 3.73 R&P) and have already done some upgrades to include, 3.25" RC suspension lift, 315/75/17 Duratracs, Body Armour Safari Rack and lights on the Base Kit. I would imagine I have added roughly 800lbs to the once stock and well performing 2012 JKU sport. Sooooooooooo.........

I am planning on ARB lockers for at least the rear diff, front and rear bumpers, winch with a synthetic rope, and tire swing arm. That will be several hundred more lbs, and I'm thinking I should just go ahead and regear while I have the diff opened up.

I live in Atlanta but spend alot of time in the mountains and out hunting in south GA. I plan on this Jeep being a daily driver for atleast 4 years and then it will be the weekend toy. I do like to get it into some trouble up around nimble gap and want to explore other areas but don't want to get 11 miles to the gallon when it had 22 stock.

I'm a city slicker by trade but a rednek by birth (Dad was a Nascar mechanic) so I've got all the tools and room to do the work in my shop, but I'm also new to the 4x4 side of the drivetrain world. These are my Tech Questions

1. With Dana 30 in the front will lockers help that much? and when I regear the back do I need to regear the front?

2. Will I get better highway mileage running at 70-75 with a higher 4.56, 4.88, or the 3.73 It came with?

3. Will beefing up the transfer case help me with my gas mileage any?

I know this is kind of a broad subject and everyone differs in opinions but I want this JKU to be a damn good 4x4 moutain work horse untill it turns to a complete monster in a few years without completly losing my ability to drive it 100 miles for a decent price on gas and in a decent amount of time.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

 

I'm going to 4.56's when I put the $$$ together, 3.73's just look for the right gear too often!

 

Did you recalibrate for tire size? I know the procal fixed some of my shifting issues. I'm just trying to get some mileage back and a little more power with the added weight.

 

Well you shouldn't need to lockers until you're really stuck in a jam in the rocks. From what I hear they don't help much in mud and you definitely shouldn't use them on the highway.

Also from what I hear 4.56 on the 2012s or even 4.10 is perfect gearing with the new pentastar.

And I don't see how the transfer case could/would affect mileage but maybe someone else can chime in.

 

Well if the gears get done then I'm definately doing the lockers... I would only use them in a jam and not on the highway obviously. I just want to meet in the middle. I know if I go to big on the gear then I'm going to lose some highway performance but I still want to be able to climb some hills.

 

A lot of peeps on here warn about putting lockers in the front 30 bro especially when gearing 4.88 and numerically higher.

 

If you haven't done so already, get an AEV ProCal. It will make your tranny run a lot smoother.