You sound like an informed decision maker. I would be very surprised if the 3:21 gearing will really net better mileage. If I had to guess it would only work if the smallest tires were available. and ever then only a small percentage improvement.

While I'm speculating, I think that 21 or 22 is not really realistic. There were grand proclamations of 20+ mpg readings on the dash from the average mileage meter. Later it turned out that the readings are skewed by a "rolling window" fuel economy system that only looks at averages for a "smaller than a tank" window. Most posters that have bothered to re post after the initial 20+mpg readings report that real calculated mileage is much lower. Most vehicle computers like this work great, but not this one.

This will make your research almost impossible. MPG threads are always a mess because some people guess based on current tank usage, some just plain lie, some only report the best tank they ever had, and some actually calculate multiple tank averages. Add to this a poor excuse for a average on the stock JK computer and you have data all over the place.

A multiple tank calculated average on my JK unlimited auto is 17.1 mpg.

 

Hey, thanks for the information, and this site has been absolutely invaluable in my decision making.

I just test drove a fully loaded "X" --sticker was just a hair under $28k.

My take as some one who drives a wranglerTJ everysingle day for years- It was a 24S automatic (4.10 gearing) & power accessories & 7spkr infinity sound. & softtop.

I drove on Route 22, a large highway with traffic lights about 1 every 1/2 mile, 55MPH limit.

1) Steering is sloppy, but that's ok with me, I like the looseness of it since I'm already completely used to it.

2) I noticed that the road noise was VERY LOW compared to my TJ, even with the TJ's factory hardtop on.

3) One oddity I saw on multiple JK wranglers in the dealer's lot: Certain doors did not appear to seat properly when fully closed, I could literally stick my index finger into the gap between the door and the car's frame. Also, the weather stripping was coming off of one of these doors (a rear door) I think there is a TSB for this, 23-048-06.

The dealer claimed to know of no TSBs for the JK's because "They're too new."

4) Metallic blue is the hardest damn color to find for some reason.

5) Jeep.com's inventory tracking is weeks out of date apparently.

6) I don't think I saw the RPMs below 3000 even once while accelerating from about 30 to 60 and staying at around 65.


My gut feeling on the "factory option" 4.10 gear ratio with automatic transmissions is the following:

Early reviewers of the Unlimited complained about a lack of power off the line and attributed it mostly to the 3.8L engine, even though it is rated for much more torque and HP than the 4.0L straight six, the engine in my current TJ.

DC had a few options for production cars: only make automatic transmissions with the higher gear ratio so that offline torque is signifcantly better, and for those that want a manual transmission, tell em to pull their foot of the clutch faster if they want to speed up from a dead stop.



Anyway, after test driving the jeep and seeing some of the doors not sealing, and having to order a jeep directly to get the COLOR I want... I"m really considering turning my stock 99TJ into a weekend project jeep, fixing everything myself, and spending the $28k on a Dodge charger.

Has anyone seen any pictures of the Metallic Blue paint scheme?


Thanks,

NJN

 

are the 4.10 gears standard on the 23s package? I have the 23s package but think i have the 3.21 gears. I don't know really

 

The DMF option is the one for 4.10 rear differential gears. The 24S option package includes the DMF option, among others.

The 23S pakcage is exactly the same as the 24S, except that it comes with 3.21 rear differential gears.

Some specific options and invoice prices:
http://www.carprices.com/vehicles/20...ges/index.html



Here is a detailed description of ALL options and what each one includes.
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2007/jeep....html?action=1

 

I've been tracking my mileage since new and averaging 14.89mpg so far. Most of my driving is not on the freeway and I rarely get out of 4th gear (6-speed manual). Approaching 4K total miles on my Jeep. My old 4-cylinder YJ usually got 18-20mpg.

I'm running 265/75-16 tires and I've calculated the actual mileage for speedometer error, which is minimal now since I had my computer flashed for 32" tires. The error factor I'm using now is 1.3% for my 31.6" diameter tires.

BTW, I'm always amazed at the commute some people are able to endure. There's only 2 ways that I know to fix this.......move your home or your job.

Life if full of choices, huh?

 

got 21.5 mpg once from hwy driving doing manual calculations. i was pretty happy. When my driving is in town and its stop and go all the time it gets around 16-17 mpg. Not bad for a jeep!

 

I'm getting 22mpg on flat level highways cruising at 60-65mph with the Rubicon's 4:10's.
That's better than rated.
My biggest problem is downshifting on hills.

Personally, I think the whole transmission is geared to high/long. There is no whay a serious off-road vehicle should be able to hit 40 mph in first gear, 70 mph in Second gear, and 95 in Third gear. OverDrive is virtually useless when trying to accelerate. I think it's the minivan trans mounted longitudenly(?)

 

As I look through the thread, I don't remember seeing 2dr or 4dr. Forgive me I don't remember seeing my glasses lately either.

With my 4dr-4:10 Auto -TrakLok etc I'm getting about 22 mpg on the highway real not computer.

 

Okay, sorry, I just saw the word Unlimited....BUY IT!!!!

 

I've been getting about 20.1 to 20.7 ( ave about 20.4) on my Unlimited 6 speed with 4.10...mostly moderate highway with lights every 2-3 miles...like previously posted, if you're worrying about mileage or speed or comfort, you may wish to look at something else.