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6 speed gear decision input needed

azwjowner

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I have 4.56 and 32s, which works out to almost precisely the same ratio as 4.88 and 35s. It's great but 1st is deep and I don't go over 70. It sounds like 4.56 would be optimal for you.

But if you have 4.10 already, I would just leave it and pretend 6th doesn't exist. Even a regear won't quite fix the gap between 4th and 5th/6th. When I downshift from 6th, it's always to 4th. You're not going to downshift from 6th to 5th even if you regear to 4.88.

5.13 would absolutely be a mistake for you at 75 mph. Much too high RPMs for cruising.
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GabeBoyTheGreat

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GabeBoyTheGreat

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But if you have 4.10 already, I would just leave it and pretend 6th doesn't exist. Even a regear won't quite fix the gap between 4th and 5th/6th. When I downshift from 6th, it's always to 4th. You're not going to downshift from 6th to 5th even if you regear to 4.88.
I don't know that I agree with that. At 75 MPH, here are the RPMs for the different configurations:

1. 4.88s, 5th gear - 2,850 RPM
2. 4.10s, 4th gear - 2,950 RPM

#2 has a slight power advantage over #1, but just barely. #1 and #2 will be very similar for most scenarios, but the advantage of #1 is that you still have 4th gear to downshift to if need be. In the #2 scenario, you are already in 4th gear.
 

roaniecowpony

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It’s more trying to get it to where I can drop down to 5th for the hills instead of dropping to 4th which is a bigger step. I’d really like to get some mileage back too if I can, that 11.5mpg kinda stung
Sounds like that 11.5mpg was the wind?
 

Maverick909

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jbcrane

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I’m about to get my wife’s Jeep regeared. Hers is also a 6 speed but a sport. Her Sport has my original Rubi axles under it with the stock 4.10’s. We recently did a small lift and 35x12.5-17 tires on my original Rubi wheels. Hers will never go bigger than 35’s and the 4.10’s just don’t cut it on the highway. We recently went to OKC from Amarillo and was in 5th pretty much the entire just to be able to go the speed limit of 75. 6th couldn’t maintain that speed even on flat road.

Those that have 35’s on a 6 speed, 4.88 or 5.13? I’m leaning towards 4.88 for the bigger pinion, but that’s not a huge deal on hers it’ll see some dirt roads and light trail use
I'm by no means an expert and had the same question several years ago, but between 4.56 and 4.88's. After a lot of hemming and hawing went with 4.88's and am so glad I did. He's a Jack Rabbit on 35's... plenty of power, even at altitude here in Colorado. 5.13's would be awfully short in 1st and 2nd. Even with 4.88's I worry about getting rear-ended by the youngster behind me not paying attention. And like you said, there's the pinion size and smaller teeth on the ring gear too.
 

jbcrane

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alphawolff

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I’m about to get my wife’s Jeep regeared. Hers is also a 6 speed but a sport. Her Sport has my original Rubi axles under it with the stock 4.10’s. We recently did a small lift and 35x12.5-17 tires on my original Rubi wheels. Hers will never go bigger than 35’s and the 4.10’s just don’t cut it on the highway. We recently went to OKC from Amarillo and was in 5th pretty much the entire just to be able to go the speed limit of 75. 6th couldn’t maintain that speed even on flat road.

Those that have 35’s on a 6 speed, 4.88 or 5.13? I’m leaning towards 4.88 for the bigger pinion, but that’s not a huge deal on hers it’ll see some dirt roads and light trail use
4.88s on 35s with the manual in the JL is god's paradise. do it.
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