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456 vs 488 Questions

Steph1

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I run 4.56 with 35s and it runs great. However, if I had to do it again, I’d go with 4.88 mostly in case I ever decide to go with 37s.
 

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Looking at a Rubicon X Unlimited with 8 spd auto. Not planning to run bigger than 35” tires but it comes with 488 gears prefer 456 which is what I have in my 84 CJ7 with LS1. Is it worth the extra bucks or should I keep looking? Think it’ll affect mileage much? If I hate it can I regear to 456 by changing ring and pinion or does it require a carrier change as well?
In all my years (going back to the 60's) racing Corvettes and Wheeling Jeeps, Never saw a need for a 4:56 cog...it was either 4:10s or 4:88s. Why do middle-of-the-road...go big or go home!
 

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Personally I can’t imagine there would be much difference between the 4.56 and the 4.88. I had a 2012 Rubicon with 6 speed manual, 3.6L, 4.10’s and 315/70 tires. At 70 MPH it ran about 2500 RPM’s. My 2022 Rubicon XR has the 8 speed automatic, 3.6L, 4.56’s and 315/70 tires and runs about 2100 RPM’s at 70 MPH. When I was deciding to order the 2022 I was a little concerned about the 4.10 vs. the 4.56 and found a Car and Driver test report that indicated there was only about 100 RPM’s difference between the two gear sets; basically not enough to be of concern. The performance out of the 2022 as mine is configured is astonishing, so much so that I can’t imaging why anyone would want/need anything bigger (engine or gear set).
 

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I've got a 2024 Rubicon X with 4.88 and 35s. Awesome power but my best mileage is 13.5. I have a manual transmission, the auto may do better.
 

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Couple months ago bought a 24 JLUR 3.6L gas and 8sp auto. I knew before I ever bought it I only wanted one with 4.88's. Put Goodyear Boulder MT 37's on it a couple weeks ago and even if I only would have done 35's I couldn't imagine having anything else besides the 4.88's.

IMO, if gas mileage is of any concern a Jeep Wrangler probably isn't the right vehicle for you.
 

dayusmc

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OP, you really didn't say how you are using the Jeep. Is it on road only or are you going to blast fast through the desert or Rock Crawl? For the street, 4.56 and 35s
 
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nvgearhead

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OP, you really didn't say how you are using the Jeep. Is it on road only or are you going to blast fast through the desert or Rock Crawl? For the street, 4.56 and 35s
Street, Dirt trails and some rock crawling. I may not do to much rock crawling anymore but I want the Jeep to be able to do it. Been wheeling since 1973 but slowing down a bit.
 

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4.56 is probably the best all around gear for 35s. BUT if you ever are going to go to 37s, 4:88

My Rubi X has 35's and 4.56's. So far it will climb anything I've thrown at it. Off the line it is quick (almost too quick - easy to chirp tires on wet pavement). I ordered this because I did not envision going larger than 35's.

Having had a Rubicon w/ 33's and 4.11's there is a difference and I personally feel the Rubi X on 35's rides better.

Do a little research, you'll find threads that will state that 33's can go > 98% of the places the 35's can go, and 35's can go 98% of the places 37's can go. If you're building it for wheeling, figure out what you want and get a little more. If you're building it just to look bad, that's another story. ;) A stock Rubicon is more capable than MOST (not all) people will ever utilize.
 

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4:88's, V6, Auto, 35's, at 60mph = 2000rpm
70mph = 2300rpm
80mph = 2500rpm
My mileage varies between 16-18 mpg for normal street/highway driving.
Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

Jeep Wrangler JL 456 vs 488 Questions 20240511_170429
 

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Personally I can’t imagine there would be much difference between the 4.56 and the 4.88. I had a 2012 Rubicon with 6 speed manual, 3.6L, 4.10’s and 315/70 tires. At 70 MPH it ran about 2500 RPM’s. My 2022 Rubicon XR has the 8 speed automatic, 3.6L, 4.56’s and 315/70 tires and runs about 2100 RPM’s at 70 MPH. When I was deciding to order the 2022 I was a little concerned about the 4.10 vs. the 4.56 and found a Car and Driver test report that indicated there was only about 100 RPM’s difference between the two gear sets; basically not enough to be of concern. The performance out of the 2022 as mine is configured is astonishing, so much so that I can’t imaging why anyone would want/need anything bigger (engine or gear set).
I ordered 4:88s on my 24 TJR-X and LOVE THEM, it really wakes up the 3.6 and I get 16.x on the highway, good enough for me...
 

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Looking at a Rubicon X Unlimited with 8 spd auto. Not planning to run bigger than 35” tires but it comes with 488 gears prefer 456 which is what I have in my 84 CJ7 with LS1. Is it worth the extra bucks or should I keep looking? Think it’ll affect mileage much? If I hate it can I regear to 456 by changing ring and pinion or does it require a carrier change as well?
What is not being said here is you usually regear to make your effective gear ratio as close to stock as you can for performance reasons. Yes, I know some of us put on bigger tires just because. 33' tires and 4.10 gear ratio is stock. 35 inch tires and 4.56 gears gives you an effective gear ratio close to 4.10, 37 inch tires and 4.88 gears givers you effective gear ratio around 4.15 or so
When you regear, you usually are trying to keep the original performance the stock gears provided. I have a 2020 JLUR (2.0L turbo) and regeared to 4.88 and running 37's. I get 20.5 mph all day long..
 

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@nvgearhead, not to give you something else to consider, but here's something else to consider: a numerically higher gear ratio means more teeth. Those teeth are going to be thinner to be able to fit. Thinner typically means weaker.

Not that anyone ever has diff issues, but my rig is currently in the shop dealing with diff issues.
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