ok all of you full time rock crawlers -- help out a old guy that's moving out of the mud and onto the rocks.

Finished the 3" liftkit, have the 35's on, and at the wife's "suggestion" have replaced the entire tunes so she can hear her music

I'm looking for ways to "improve" the power for highway use, but also help out my clutch foot on trail rides. I understand that you can't have it both ways, but I also know you guys are smart, and tweekin' the system can be done.

We have the JK, 2 dr, 6 speed. The jeep is my wifes grocery cart/beach buggy, but I do enjoy occassionally driving it 20 miles each way to work.

We've been thinking about new air filter, power chip, and maybe even new exhaust to improve power on the highway, but have no clue what would help on the trails.

That's where you smart guys come in. Give me ideas but please explain why (It's the analysts in me).

Thanks
CaptnMorgan & Toy4Her

 

Have you re-geared your axles yet?

 

There are a lot of thread on here with very similar questions. But as far as improving on and off road... anything that improves your low end torque will help in both areas. Improving horsepower will only make a difference on the highway.

 

No axle mods yet.

 

This would get your power and torque back after installing larger tires. It is expensive to have done... looking at around $1100+ for gears and install on both axles.

Other than that a CAI and exhaust will give you a little more power, but not much, combined maybe 10 HP, but will improve throttle response. A chip may give you an additional 10 HP.

But the main thing when installing larger tires is gearing, since you have 35's and the six speed, I would suggest 4.88's.

 

Thanks for the info Jeff. I started "googling" axle mod ideas a month ago, but wanted to wait till I had the 35's on.

CaptnMorgan

 

Jeff,
I went to
http://www.4lo.com/4LoCalc.htm

and scrolled down to "find new gear ratio with new tire size"

My info is:
New Tire Diameter = 35, Old Tire Diameter (P225/75R16) = 29.2874 and Current Gear Ratio = 4.46, and it comes back with the new gear ratio being 5.38275.

These "neat" conversion tables keep coming back with info different than what I see posted. Am I missing something?
Thanks
CaptnMorgan

 

Your current ratio is either a 3.21 or 4.10, the only two factory options.

But speaking from experience 4.88's are the way to go., Although 5.13's won't be a bad option either, as there are a few people on here runnning that combination.

 

Your new gear choices are 4.88 and 5.13

Enter the old and new tire sizes, then enter 4.88 as current. It will calculate to about 4.08...This means that 4.88's will return your rpms to roughly what you had before assuming you have 4.10's.

I know it seems backwards, but it works.
From other threads, it seems that 4.88's for 35's, and 5.13's for 37's is a good general rule.