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Anyone actually use 6th gear?

dangerz

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I can't find a speed in which 6th gear is beneficial. I regularly do 70-75 to work and 6th gear is pointless at those speeds. Even when I'm on the toll road at 80-85, I find 6th to not have anything behind it.

I just sit in 5th.
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Jeepsterfreak

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I can't find a speed in which 6th gear is beneficial. I regularly do 70-75 to work and 6th gear is pointless at those speeds. Even when I'm on the toll road at 80-85, I find 6th to not have anything behind it.

I just sit in 5th.
The 8 speed auto has an even taller final gear.

1st – 4.71
2nd – 3.14
3rd – 2.10
4th – 1.67
5th – 1.29
6th – 1.00
7th – 0.84
8th – 0.67
Rev – 3.30



1st – 5.13
2nd – 2.63
3rd – 1.54
4th – 1.00
5th – 0.81
6th – 0.72
Rev – 4.49
 

Jeepsterfreak

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I use 6th a lot. However, I only do when cruising on flat roads and don’t need any more acceleration. I see better mileage that way.
Yep, I suppose that’s why Jeep created two overdrives instead of one...for EPA.

The NSG370 only had one overdrive gear.

1st.... 4.46
2nd.... 2.61
3rd.... 1.72
4th.... 1.25
5th.... 1.00
6th.... 0.84
Reverse.... 4.06
 

Dennis Castro

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I test drove a 6 speed sport and it's pathetic in 6th gear, even going 75 or more. Just no power. I think the rubicon is the only option unless they offer another gear option which I'm not thinking will happen. It's a shame what they've done to get better EPA ratings, really makes the non rubicon's not an option to retain any performance. Some engines pull great at low rpms and have no problem cruising at low rpm and retaining performance, but the pentastar is not one of them.
 

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Jeepsterfreak

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I test drove a 6 speed sport and it's pathetic in 6th gear, even going 75 or more. Just no power. I think the rubicon is the only option unless they offer another gear option which I'm not thinking will happen. It's a shame what they've done to get better EPA ratings, really makes the non rubicon's not an option to retain any performance. Some engines pull great at low rpms and have no problem cruising at low rpm and retaining performance, but the pentastar is not one of them.
The Pentastar’s future is e-torque mild hybrid 48V system coming to a town near you very soon.
 

DanW

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I use it when cruising above 60mph. I'm running 35's and mine is a 4 door.
 
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OldGuyNewJeep

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I can't find a speed in which 6th gear is beneficial. I regularly do 70-75 to work and 6th gear is pointless at those speeds. Even when I'm on the toll road at 80-85, I find 6th to not have anything behind it.

I just sit in 5th.
Pointless how? I use 6th every time I’m on the highway going 60 or faster. I downshift as needed for hills.

I have a 2dr Rubi, FWIW
 

Capt_Beard

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Driving back to Pittsburgh from Koons in DC I used 3rd and 4th to climb the hills. 5th is only good on flat or down hill. I never used 6th. I have a Sport S. Living in PA there are very few flat roads.
Definitely this ^

Also a Pittsburgh Jeeper and most of my days I don't get above 4th.
 

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Dennis Castro

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Pointless how? I use 6th every time I’m on the highway going 60 or faster. I downshift as needed for hills.

I have a 2dr Rubi, FWIW
You have a rubicon, which greatly improves 6th gear usability and power. My point was, and I've only had limited seat time in a jl, the rubicon by having the 4.10 Alone is the only 1 I can see myself getting . The 3.45 gears just don't support a .72 6th gear
 

CyBourg

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7,000 miles in and I think I’ve used it twice. That includes a trip from Phoenix to San Diego and back. Mostly a lot of stop n go freeway miles but when you go here you GO so there’s little use for 6th as others have stated, 0 power.
 

DanW

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The Rubicon helps, but 35's negate at least some of it. I find mine cruises at 75 to 80 just fine in 6th, handling mild rolling hills without much trouble.

I have a friend with a JLU Sahara and 8 speed. He's running 35's. He said if he hits even the slightest incline, it drops to 7th and sometimes 6th, to maintain 65mph. No big deal there. No big deal in a manual, either, to drop a gear or two, if needed. On longer hills, I'll drop 5th, and that gets the job done.

One of the many reasons I'm weight conscious with the build for the JL is this. Some builds out there add hundreds of pounds, and some more than that. You put heavy aftermarket bumpers on there, then heavy winches, armor, high lift jack, roof racks, etc, and the weight climbs to over 5,000 pounds with some approaching 5,500. I'd bet that 6th gear wouldn't even pull downhill on some of those rigs.
 

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Definitely this ^

Also a Pittsburgh Jeeper and most of my days I don't get above 4th.
I live in the mountains of the high desert - not a flat spot to be seen. until this thread I thought I had a four speed. To hold speed on hills I have to be in third. But I bought the car to "drive" it and shifting through the gears always puts a smile on my face.
 

the_webers_inc

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I use 6th at/above 60 MPH on open flat 2 lane roads. Any time power is needed, just downshift. That said, I probably have only used 6th gear 30% of the time that I've been at hwy speeds.
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