Hey guys... (and gals)

This will be a noob question, but I have tried searching and cant find the info I am looking for. I did find a chart that explains what gears to run with what size tires... so, let me get it over with. This is my 2nd jeep, first being an 89Xj that I drove through college... but couldn't afford to do much of anything with it.

2009 Jeep Unlimited X
3.8l
Automatic trans
46k miles

I dont want anything crazy, I just want to lift the nose 1" to make it level and run a 33" tire. I need to keep it low enough for my kids to get in/out.

The tires I have now 255/75R17 measure out to just a half inch smaller than a set of 33" tires, so I could probably just run with the gears I have now, but its borderline as-is for a daily driver that spends 90% of its life on surface streets.

so, if I am going to have to re-gear, I only want to have to do it once... so I would imagine a 4.09/4.10 would work but thats where this post comes in.

1 - What do you all suggest?
2 - What all am I going to need? (gears, and...?)
* I will have a shop install the gears, I am willing to admit that I am not up to the task... too critical a part for me to "hope" its right.
3 - Since I likely have a 3.21 gear set (grumble, why would Jeep do that, what a waste...) am I going to need a new carrier?
4 - Assuming 4.10's is the right ratio, would it make sense to buy a set of Rubi gears from here on the forum and have them installed?

Thanks guys... sorry for what I have to assume is a repeat question.

-Ryan

 

You will need a new carrier is you have 3.21's. Check the window sticker online to see what you have, the link is floating around.

Save yourself the money and just go with 4.56 right away. Not a big difference to 4.10"s- I did it and regretted it.

You may also get the "bigger tire bug" and 4.10's will then feel like 3.21's. =}

 

Do you have any thoughts whatsoever of ever moving above a 33" tire? If yes, go ahead and gear for the new tires. If not, spend the money elsewhere.

If you have 3.21, yes, you will need a new d30 carrier. (or a full case locker/limited. Consider a TrueTrac)

New bearings are a good thing, plan on a master install (overhaul) kit for each end.

Rubi take-offs will NOT work in your front axle. Search around for gears specifically made for the JK d30.



Get a taller lift and taller tires, and buy the kids a stepladder.

 

thats the kind of advice I am looking for... Thanks!

I had 5.13's in my 4Runner back in the day, but the Toyota creedo was "you dont need power, you need gears"

 

lol - my real wheeling days are over, 3 fused disks in my back from a spectacular moment of stupidity... I just want to be able to be able to tow a teardrop and run occasional trails with my kids.

 

You've gotten some good advice do far. I'd say go with a teraflex leveling kit. You can probably find one used if you look around or wait for it to pop up on the for sale page. Ive seen some pics of guys running the leveling kit with 33's and it looks like a good stance from the pics. The only advice I can give you is pick out your tire size that you know you will stick with and get the gears that are recommended in the FAQ gear chart. I got a lot of advice on gears and boy am I glad I followed the chart instead of what others told me to get. Guys will tell you different things, just read the chart and go with the gear set it recommends for your type of driving.

 

You can get 3/4" coil spacers from synergy $20 for the pair. For what you are doing that should be enough.
With the auto 4.88 gears if you are planning on towing. It will give you quite a bit more performance over the stock set up. If you do a lot of highway driving expect a drop in mpgs. You will also want some kind of programmer to set shift points and correct the speedo. Programers like super chips have different tune settings for the engine like towing.

 

just did a Vin lookup from Compnine and it says I have 3.73 gears... thats good, and bad. I may be able to get away with not regearing immediately, and when I eventually do, I shouldnt need a new carrier.

 

Everyone has different taste / style. I'm running stock 4.10's with 245/70r16's. And that is borderline for me. If your going to be towing too. Then look at 4.56 / 4.88.