Sponsored

Most economical way to add some pep to my Wrangler?

Zandcwhite

Well-Known Member
First Name
Zach
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Threads
10
Messages
4,249
Reaction score
7,578
Location
Patterson, ca
Vehicle(s)
2019 jlur
Why would you want to only use 7 gears when 8 are available? It’s all about efficiency with what we have to use. Excessive slipping of the clutch and/or torque converter creates additional heat. Hey, you guys keep doing things your way. Just a shame you’ve so passionate about being wrong.
It's a balance though which is my point. There is absolutely such a thing as gearing too low. I did it. 5.38s and 38" tires sucked. Obviously you don't want 3.45s and 37's either. When geared too low, you're into the top gear before 50 mph most of the time. Talk about not using all the gears, why would you want to have an 8 speed and drive around in the same gear from 50mph to 90mph? There's a happy medium in my opinion. Personally with the auto I'd stick to 4.56's for 35-37's. Some prefer 4.88's. Others want to roll 5.13s and 35's. I can tell you from experience I would hate that combo and you're wasting half your gearing. You shouldn't be in the second Overdrive gear 80-90% of the time you're driving on the road in my opinion. Even with our stock XR, the 4.56s and 35s have the rpms up higher than need be when cruising on the freeway at low loads.
Sponsored

 

rickinAZ

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rick
Joined
Jan 2, 2020
Threads
234
Messages
3,471
Reaction score
4,988
Location
Phoenix
Vehicle(s)
2021 Rubicon EcoDiesel (11th Jeep)
Occupation
Retired CFO. Mayo Clinic volunteer.
Most economical would be throttle controller.

Before regearing my oem 3.45, I purchased the Hikeit X9 and the difference was extreme in the way that it gets rid of the dead spots in the gas pedal, making it feel like you have much more power.

I have since regeared to 4.56 and kept the Hikeit X9 (now set on auto mode), and my Jeep turns those 35s as easily as it did the small oem tires on stock gearing.
I agree we this. Sometimes perception trumps reality. In this case, the throttle controller (only) makes the vehicle "feel" faster seat-of-the-pants. But...isn't that what it's all about?

This is a classic example of you really need to try it before passing judgment. Virtually everyone who tries a throttle controller likes it. Pedal Monster has a no questions asked money back guarantee and installs in ten minutes - what's to lose?
 

rickinAZ

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rick
Joined
Jan 2, 2020
Threads
234
Messages
3,471
Reaction score
4,988
Location
Phoenix
Vehicle(s)
2021 Rubicon EcoDiesel (11th Jeep)
Occupation
Retired CFO. Mayo Clinic volunteer.
These don't add any power at all, just changes your throttle response curve. Still not sure why this is worth $300 when you can just press down further on the accelerator and get the same result.
This statement is absolutely true. But...it shows that you haven't personally tried one. And...the throttle controller is a tireless helper. You'll tire of manually modulating with your foot after 5 minutes, and then you are back to the land of no pep.
 

Sponsored

Old Dogger

Well-Known Member
First Name
Bill
Joined
Nov 15, 2021
Threads
11
Messages
1,705
Reaction score
1,861
Location
Cave Creek Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2013 JKR, 2018 JLR
Occupation
Retired High level Management.
Either re-gear, or trade it in on a 392.. :) I know, you said economical, so forget the 392..lol
 

Jmos4

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Nov 28, 2021
Threads
14
Messages
473
Reaction score
562
Location
48444
Vehicle(s)
2020 Challenger Scat Pack M6/2007 Ram 2500 G56
Hi,

Glanced at your post, if your has 3.45 gear ratio, definitely look at swapping to a higher ratio, will help.

My 22 JLUR 6mt has 4.88's and still isn't a rocket ship, but doesn't worry me getting out into traffic either, I am now running 35's and still ok for a daily driver just not going to set any 0-60 times.

If you have the funds for a supercharger or hemi swap I think you'd be better of just ordering a 392.

I have heard the 2.0 is a lot more pep than the 3.6 and sure the A8 helps with the low end. But I have not driven either.

My wife's 2015 stock JKUR with the nag 5 speed and 4.10's is quicker out of the hole than my 22 was even with 33's. So maybe test drive a few different drivetrains. Either way it's a Jeep not a race car.

Regards,
Jim
 

TrailScooter

Well-Known Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Aug 26, 2020
Threads
0
Messages
614
Reaction score
1,273
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
'20 Jeep Jt, 91 F1504x4 and so on...
As cool as a hemi swap is I'd rather supercharge instead of ripping out a whole drivetrain, even if the costs were equal.


I put in a Magnusun super charger. More power than the hemi and much cheaper... not to say its cheap. If i were asked if I were happy...


nzx3sixx3tg41.png




Yes sir, yes I am....
 

scj64

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Threads
8
Messages
197
Reaction score
374
Location
Ohio
Vehicle(s)
‘22 Ram 2500, ‘23 R/T, ‘23 20A 392, ‘22 FLHTK
It's a balance though which is my point. There is absolutely such a thing as gearing too low. I did it. 5.38s and 38" tires sucked. Obviously you don't want 3.45s and 37's either. When geared too low, you're into the top gear before 50 mph most of the time. Talk about not using all the gears, why would you want to have an 8 speed and drive around in the same gear from 50mph to 90mph? There's a happy medium in my opinion. Personally with the auto I'd stick to 4.56's for 35-37's. Some prefer 4.88's. Others want to roll 5.13s and 35's. I can tell you from experience I would hate that combo and you're wasting half your gearing. You shouldn't be in the second Overdrive gear 80-90% of the time you're driving on the road in my opinion. Even with our stock XR, the 4.56s and 35s have the rpms up higher than need be when cruising on the freeway at low loads.
Everyone’s needs are different as to what they want or need. I put 4.88’s in my 5 speed auto JK with only 35’s and I did it as I pulled my bass boat a lot. No way normal driving required that low of a gear but it suited my needs.
 

Zandcwhite

Well-Known Member
First Name
Zach
Joined
Sep 4, 2019
Threads
10
Messages
4,249
Reaction score
7,578
Location
Patterson, ca
Vehicle(s)
2019 jlur
Everyone’s needs are different as to what they want or need. I put 4.88’s in my 5 speed auto JK with only 35’s and I did it as I pulled my bass boat a lot. No way normal driving required that low of a gear but it suited my needs.
That's the beauty of the 8spd, our 1st gear is so low it has the same drive ratio as a jk with 4.88s... with 3.73 axle gears. Even towing a boat with standard Rubicon 4.10s would be equal to a JK with 5.38's. That transmission changed things dramatically. Everyone who says you "need" 5.13s to run 37's and is speaking from their JK, TJ, YJ, etc experience is missing the point. JL 4.10s are previous generation 5.38s or even deeper depending on the model. Early JKs gave the 3.8L it's bad wrap by having an auto with a 2.89 1st gear. At least the 3.6L got a 3.59 1st gear. Early JKs would need a 6.67 axle gear just to match a JL with 4.10s. Simple math. Everyone credits the 3.6L redesign with it feeling so much better in the JL... it's the transmission.
 
Last edited:

Sponsored

Vatdevil

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rob
Joined
Feb 14, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
68
Reaction score
83
Location
Mars, PA
Vehicle(s)
2022 Rubicon 2 Door 6 Speed
Reprogramming the PCM is the best way to gain some free horse power. Doesn't cost that much and has many other benefits along with the added power improvements - Turns off auto start, code reader and diagnostic info; and others

I am running the six speed as well, still never use 6th gear, but this tuner has made me pretty happy.
https://www.livernoismotorsports.co...gler-and-gladiator-3-6l-tuner-with-pcm-unlock

The added torque on the trail is nice, and you can get about 30+ HP without any other modifications.
Are those gains on 87 or 93?
 

HungryHound

Well-Known Member
First Name
Rick
Joined
Dec 24, 2020
Threads
17
Messages
1,301
Reaction score
2,776
Location
TN & FL
Vehicle(s)
1975 CJ-5, 1983 CJ-5, 1998 TJ, 2021 JLURe
Between the abysmal gearing on my sport/6-speed and the limp dick torque of the pentastar, my Jeep always feels sluggish unless you're pumping the eurobeat and shifting at redline constantly like a maniac.

My soul wants to add the center force clutch and a supercharger kit. But that's pushing $10k just in parts with obvious reliability concerns.

Regearing seems like a good idea. A few grand and would "unlock" 5th and 6th gear. As it stands I rarely use more than 4th gear. I have no desire for adding larger tires though, so a 4.88 or something sounds kinda stupid, and going to a 3.73 or 4.10 doesn't sound like it's enough change to be worth the cost when you're not actually gaining power, just cheesing the torque multiplication math.

Just sell my jeep and buy a 2.0L? I really don't like the 2.0L, but it definitely puts down more low-end torque and would definitely be cheaper than a supercharger. Transferring my mods is going to be a pain in the ass though, and it's tough to find lower trim jeeps with the tow/aux switch panel option that I consider necessary equipment.

I'd really consider swapping into an ecodiesel but I don't have drive patterns that jive well with modern diesel engines. Diesel is also ludicrously expensive here.

Those seem the only reasonable options that I can think of. With another clutch fire recall going out in a month and likely no proper fix maybe I just wait for the new 4Runner and enjoy my jeep as-is until then? If they dunk the hybridmax engine in there with 400lb-ft of torque and no faffing around with a plug like the 4xe it sounds like a winner.

Yous guys' thoughts?
I bought the 4xe for all the wrong reasons and am really enjoying the power on and offroad. Torque, not trees. Trade up and you won't regret it.
 

JINO

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jino
Joined
Jan 18, 2023
Threads
30
Messages
548
Reaction score
760
Location
Socal
Vehicle(s)
2021 jlurd
Should of test drove the ecodiesel. No lack of power.
It's torque is a nice 440 lbs. 500+ with a bank derringer (mine has it). Crazy passing power.
 

Toro34

New Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Threads
0
Messages
3
Reaction score
5
Location
Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2009 jku
youre all going the wrong way...

-take off the top, doors, carpet... instant power boost
 

wscottyh

Member
First Name
Scott
Joined
Oct 12, 2022
Threads
0
Messages
13
Reaction score
4
Location
Timnath, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2021 JL rubicon
You have a new '23, so I have to ask. Did you go for a test drive of that or similar vehicle before you purchased? If I knew a vehicle didn't perform/drive the way I liked beforehand, I wouldn't purchase it.

If you're not adding larger tires, a re-gear isn't worth it.

It already sounds like you have buyer's regret, so you'll likely never be happy with the Wrangler. Sell it, cut your losses and move into something you'll be happier driving. Just my opinion.
I tried both and at 5000 foot elevation the 2.0 won hands down, that’s why I have a 2021 2.0 rubicon

A64E911C-A51E-4C64-9507-1D5966F1D7B8.jpeg


DAC6555E-8684-4390-890A-B94C6F08ECF5.jpeg




6647079A-7F74-4CA8-8A26-2656E0D2C41B.jpeg


B1D1CF1A-B9EA-453C-9551-6A32D9498C8D.jpeg


9624913F-2865-4937-83BB-88493E4C68C4.jpeg


DBFD877A-4887-4547-AC02-E2D670FA91F1.jpeg




74D138C6-3B6C-44CF-A014-975A06319601.jpeg
Sponsored

 
 



Top