Hey, just want all's opinion...I have read a few thread responses that noted the 3"21 gear ration "isn't" good enough for any more than moderate off road stuff with a 6 speed stick. Is that true? Do I really need to go at it in 4WH if I'm running on a trail? I'm still too new to this and don't want to get it wrong and end up with a toasted clutch! Any advice would help! Thanks!

 

It's not great. You'll spin your tires allot more readily. You can do it, but I think the person that said you cannot do anything more than moderate is correct. As long as you stay with stock tires you should be fine to play around. You can compensate by using 4 LO (although not a complete substitute) and airing down. You can also look at locker options too if you really don't want to change gears in the future.

 

Go off-roading ALWAYS in 4 LO.

- Safer
- Better for the engines and transmission
- better control of the wheels

Never mind your 3.21 ratio. The most important thing is not the ratio, it's the experience of the driver.

Take care.

 

I have 3.21's and am soon regearing.....I have no problems other than big rocks and steep hills. You can still do them, you just gotta be more aware and careful.

If you stay off of the big rocks and steep hills you will have a blast, this Jeep will amaze you at what it is capable of......even with 3:21's

 

As long as you run with other stock Jeeps, "X's" and Saharas, who will be just fine. The 3.21 and 3.73 gear ratios are very capable right out of the box. And as others have said on the thread, driver skill is more important than gear ratio. However, if you start running with Rubicons and modified JKs with 4.10 and lower gear ratios, lockers, bigger tires and 4" lifts you will feel the need to modify your own JK just to keep up with them. My advice to you is to wheel with your Jeep just as it is, and then a year from now reevaluate your off road needs and expectations.

 

Well said. Again, you should have no problem with your gears. If and when you find yourself upgrading to a lifted suspension, bigger tires, etc. then you will need to think about regearing, but not with a stock or close to stock Jeep. Nice thing about the 3.21 gears is that you will save a bunch on fuel.

 

yeah, whut he said!

 

I agree but would extend "running rubicons and modified jks" to include reading this website also. it will make you want to mod.

i got the same 3.21's with a stick. i'll be happy to show you around the creek sometime. i'll show you want the stock tires and gears will do, and maybe what they can't do too. lol

 

LOL

Yeah - the primary issue is RPM and torque.

If off roading, other than to show off, there is typically no reason NOT to be in 4 low...

Its easier on the trails to be in 4wd low (Less damage due to wheel spin), easier on the jeep, and generally, its better for engine braking, and most other aspects of off roading.

Some people (Me too...) have done trails in 2 high for example just because they wanted to prove they COULD, etc...but, there's really no point to it other than that.

You already HAVE 4 low, its not like you're WASTING IT if you use it when its "not needed".



Going into LOW locks the front and rear diffs together, and, keeps your RPM's up, which increases your torque, which you need to avoid stalling.

The trick to avoiding clutch burn out on trails, is to not shift.



Failing that, the tricks to MINIMIZE clutch wear involve management of momentum.

Give your self more room ahead of you than the other trucks...your rig wants to idle along faster than the others...if stuck in a long conga line of trucks creeping along, you will be on the clutch constantly to slow down/speed up....so a long buffer zone ahead of you gives you room to roll unimpeded more easily.

It also gives you room to read the trail, and pick your lines.

If you have to bump over something....get rolling to the speed you need to have enough momentum to get over the obstacle, and then COAST over it.

If you are feathering the clutch to get over something, it heats things up quickly.

Try to be either clutched IN, or OUT....try to avoid everything BETWEEN in and out....that's where the wear happens.

Your crawl ratio is not wonderful with the 3.21's, but no worse than an Xterra or other pick-up truck's, etc......but, you can use the money you saved on gas by having lower rpm on the hwy, to buy more mods.



Enjoy!

 

Dang it!

Don't worry about what you should be using, when you get there you will understand! There is nothing mystical that happens in 4 lo other than another gear is added raising your final drive ration by 2.72. It is no big deal, if 1st gear isn't enough to get over the obstacle, go to 4lo!

But for op's question, I have a six speed with 3.21's and have never been in an offroad situation where I needed 4 wheel drive where 4hi would work for me.