As I've mentioned, less than a week now 'til I pull the trigger on the big mod: lift, wheels, tires. Question:
Are 5.13 gears necessary off the bat, or can I wait a month or two to recharge my wallet? What happens/ what are the effects of driving with 35" tires and stock rear axle gearing? Can someone explain? Thanks in advance--

(6 speed manual tranny... if that's relevant)

Matt D.

 

Well just from searching. Yes, but it will be sluggish and suck some fuel down.

Results vary depends on your stock gears. 3.21 3.73. 4.1

I'm a automatic running stock 3.73 gears and plan to run 35's for a month or so till I re gear. I have already in stalled a trany cooler. Just getting her ready.

The search button is our friend.

 

The manual is very relevant.

A lot of depends on the gear ratio in your X and your willingness to exercise your right arm shifting.

If you have 3.21 gears you are going to be a a gear 1-2 notches below where you would expect to be and you will often find a speed where you you are going too fast for one gear, but to slow for the next.

The 3.73 will help a lot and if you have the 4.10s then plenty of Rubi owners run that setup without hesitation.

 

Search button...doh. Sorry, I'll search first next time. thanks for those who did answer, btw.

 

I say run it with the stock gears for a while to get a feel for it. If it doesn't work for you then regear.

 

You have a 2wd JK? Or you're only planning on re-gearing the rear axle of your 4wd? (assuming it's a 4wd, you do realize that you have to re-gear both axles?)

Browse the drivetrain section of the FAQ's again. It has some basics on gearing and a chart that will give you an idea of what rpm's you'll be running with the new tires. Expect to be lugging the engine and not using 6th gear at all. (If you have 4.10's stock, you'll be much better off than having 3.21's)

And yes, there are hundreds of 'what gears should I go with' threads, with plenty of opinions. But really, only you can answer the question of how soon you will want/need to regear. Some with manuals don't mind running 35's on stock gears. Some get an extra job just to pay for the new gears sooner.

 

I ran stock gears 4:10 with a 6 speed for a while. It works around town just fine. I hated it on the highway as 6th became useless especially on hills and 5th just seemed to high RPM for crusing at highway speed. The new rear ratio moved everything back down where 6th felt right at highway speed. In other words, the gear change did not move the shift points a full gear down where 5th feels like 6th its in between a little, more stock like. What you will find with stock gearing is with 35s it puts you in between and the truck just seems out of its optimum operating range while on the highway. That said, I went to 5:13s and like the way the jeep drives much better.
In my opinion, don't stress your budget at first, your jeep will drive just fine and you will have to make a few adjustments but when funds allow, you will like the way it drives much better with the 5:13s just dont stress about it.

 

If you have 3.73s it won't be horrible I don't guess with the stick. What ratio you have now?

 

Looking for where I find that info right now. Gonna go search the forum

 

Bigbluejk, it turns out I have 3.73!! Awesome, that's certainly better than 3.21. Now that I know a little more, I'm not too worried about the 35" tires.