PattyWgn

I just purchased my first wrangler its a 2016 4D its an auto with 3:21 gears in it, Im going to need tires before long, im thinking of going with either 33s or 35s, im not sure which gears to go with or if i need to change them at all, im going to be using it for a daily driver mostly but i also live in Maine and there's a lot of skidder trail that are tempting to wheel. Any help is much appreciated!!

rob_engineer

Stick with stock tire size and you can stick with the 3.21 gearing. If you go up to 35's, you will most likely hate the drop in seat of the pants power if you don't change the gears. Many people in here have experienced 35's with 3.21 and say it sucks. Don't forget if you go up in tire size and regear it will be an expensive proposition. Maybe $1000 for tires, $2000 for gear job, including carrier, and $150 for a programmer to let your jeeps computer know you have bigger tires. So, $3150 to get the job done, or pay $700-$800 and keep the same size stock tires. Depends how important bigger tires are to you.

resharp001

Yup, that 3.21 gearing wouldn't be enjoyable with larger tires. As rob highlighted above, it definitely becomes a bit pricey to make that jump to larger tires. If you are using factory wheels, you'd likely need to use spacers to achieve less net backspace, or choose an aftermarket wheel with proper backspacing (adding even more to the overall cost). You really need to decide on tires first, then match the gearing. For the 3.6L auto with 35s, the sweet spot is typically 4.56 gear ratio.

Rednroll

News Flash! The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most off-road capable 4WD vehicles stock. So stop being tempted by looking at those trails and go do them to find out where your limits are if any. Why aren't you doing those skidder trails now?

PattyWgn

The 5 feet of snow covering the ground!

PattyWgn

Also thanks for the info giys, how would it effect fuel mileage keeping tbe same gears for now (not that it matters, drove a silverado with 35s before this with front and rear bumpers and 6.5 inch lift might have got 9 mpg...maybe)

Rednroll

We just ignore fuel mileage and embrace the tree hugging Prius owners for making up for our weaknesses.

You'll be in the 15-17MPG club with 35s and those gears.

PattyWgn

Like the way you guys operate, guess ill have to do do one or the other and regear when i can afford it!

Wandell

You mentioned 35's so just go ahead and get them and 4.88 gears. Buy once, cry once!

Rednroll

Also should add, the re-gear likely won't improve your gas mileage. If anything you'll likely lose gas mileage for highway speed driving going to 4.88 gears.

FCA uses those 3.21 gears to improve gas mileage for cafe standards. What you lose when moving to larger tires and keeping those 3.21 gears is a lot of get up and go low-end torque. What you gain is better gas mileage once you've crawled your way up to highway speeds. 4.56 gears with the 3.6L and 35s seem to be a popular choice. 4.56 is a good compromise of gaining low-end torque while not killing your gas mileage on the highway. 4.88 will give you additional low-end torque over 4.56 which many prefer for off-road but will be a step down on highway gas mileage from 4.56 for a daily driver.