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Newbie gearing question

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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 02:50 PM
  #1  
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Default Newbie gearing question

Can you put 5.38's in a 4dr JK X model?

Thanks for the help

David
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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by jeepman84341
Can you put 5.38's in a 4dr JK X model?

Thanks for the help

David
no.

you'll need d44 front and rear
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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by jeepman84341
Can you put 5.38's in a 4dr JK X model?

Thanks for the help

David
no, 5.13 is as low as you can go with a x model
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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 03:20 PM
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Nope 5.13 and below
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Old Mar 24, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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You guys are too negative.




Yes!!

As soon as you swap in a front D44/D60 !!
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 04:58 AM
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Thanks guys for helping
The rear is fine, correct I just need to change the front axle or do I need to switch both axles?

David
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 05:12 AM
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Originally Posted by jeepman84341
Thanks guys for helping
The rear is fine, correct I just need to change the front axle or do I need to switch both axles?

David
You already have a D44 in the rear... If you want to change the front axle to a D44 you can do that, but, why would you? I'm having my rig regeared next week and going with 5.13. I have a Rubi and installing 37" tires. So you might want to give more info on what your trying to achieve.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 05:19 AM
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Well I was trying to go to 5.38 with 35" tires because it is an auto. Maybe I am incorrect in thinking that I need lower gearing then 5.13
Right now it has 4.88 on 33" tires and is ok not great

David
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 08:38 AM
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If that's all you wanna do... I would just regear to a 5.13 and it would work just fine. From there you can use a Superchip and dial in. But changing out the diff's is going to be way too much money and time for the return you get. I could be wrong here but I would think with 33" tires and a 4.88 your not going to see much of a change. Remember, we are talking about a 200 HP engine here.

You might want to beef up the axle if you go any bigger on the tires.
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Old Mar 25, 2011 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by jeepman84341
Well I was trying to go to 5.38 with 35" tires because it is an auto. Maybe I am incorrect in thinking that I need lower gearing then 5.13
Right now it has 4.88 on 33" tires and is ok not great
You have an auto, so disregard advice given by guys with manuals. The gearing in the transmissions is different.


Open the Drivetrain faq's and start plugging numbers into the chart.

Auto, 5.13's, 35's = 2450rpm @ 70mph
Manual, 5.13's, 42's = 2450rpm @ 70mph

Auto, 5.38's, 35's = 2570rpm @ 70mph

5.38's would be the better choice, but it just depends on your budget and usage. Does your usage justify the cost of dropping in a front 44?

You are probably looking in the $1500-2000 range for a used rubi. Plus the labor to swap your ends over and install, plus the regear, plus gussets/sleeves/etc. If you can't find a used one, you are looking at around $3k for the axle, plus all the other costs. Or the better option would be to go straight to a PR44 for low-mid 4k's.


Personally, I would not spend the money to regear from 4.88 to 5.13. Wait until you find a great deal on a rubi, or until you make the jump to a PR or a D60.
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