How's it going? I currently have a Black 08 4dr Jeep Sahara 4x2 automatic w/trailer package (3.73 Dana 44) and 18" wheels. The jeep is used as a daily driver and every now and then I ride out to the ranch, but its more like trail rides. The jeep will not be used for any type of extreme off roading, though I would like to beef it up a bit. After reading around the forum I am looking into putting in a Teraflex 2.5" BB or the Springs w/ shock lift kit, can't decide which one to go with. I want to go with 35x12.5x18 MT's Baja Claw or MTZ. I would prefer to keep the stock wheels and put some spidertrax wheel spacers if possible. As for the wheels I am looking to powder coating them a matt black finish. eventually i also want to put an AEV Bumper w/ winch. I understand that with 35" tires I will loose power and will want to regear. I would like to put the jeep back to the stock feel so I was looking at going with either 4.88 or 5.13 gears. Since its a 4x2 is the regearing only needed in the rear axel? What size should i go with to get me close to stock again? Please feel free to give me your input on my possible set up. If there is a better way to go let me know. Thanks

Trey Garcia

 

Sounds like a good plan to me...and yes, you would only need to replace the gears in the rear axle. Some might say 5.13's would be best, but I would think that the 4.88's would be more than sufficient to bring it back to life.

 

My first instinct is to tell you to trade your 4x2 in and get a 4x4. I don't think I've ever seen a 4x2 Wrangler in my 10 years of Jeep ownership but I know they do exist.

You're correct. You do not need to regear your front axel as there is no drive shaft going to it. A 4x2 Jeep is a rear wheel driven vehicle so you'd only need to regear the driven axel.

 

Thanks! The reason I got the 4x2 was because the original 4x4 I ordered before the 08's hit the lot somehow arrived 4x2 and i wasnt going to wait another 4 to 5 weeks to get another one. any one one have any opinions on the size of gears i should go with 4.88's or 5.13's I would like to do it right the first time and not have to redo the gearing. Thanks.

 

My Rubi is an auto and I have 35's. I went with 5:13's and they feel great.

I would recommend the 5:13's

 

front axles, driveshaft, and transfer case

 

Your question about gears is an interesting question. If you had a 4wd 4door auto anywhere in the U.S. I would say go for the 5.13's and be happy.

What you don't have is also important. You don't have a heavy front axle, you don't have a transfer case, you don't have to drive the front wheels ever. Your JK is lighter not much but some. All these items take rear wheel hp away from the vehicle. You also live in a relatively flat area of Texas. With these conditions I would recommend 4.88 gears with "your" setup. My 4.10 gears were just okay but you should be fine with this setup on a 2wd DD. You have a relatively specific JK need compared to what most of us in the Forum drive. I hope this helps.

 

Just trail rides? Leave it stock. If you must throw a 1.75" Daystar and some off Rubi 32's. You really don't need much, if anything with what you have and what you're doing.

 

Might wanna put a locker in the rear and get a winch.

 

If it were my 4x2 Jeep I wouldn't put 35's on it. You won't ever be doing hard enough wheeling to need them if you don't have 4-wheel drive, and they'll cause problems in gas mileage, ride, and power that won't be balanced by their offroad performance. My ...