Re-gear BEFORE bigger tires?

[Triple Zero]

I've got a '22 JLU Willys 6sp manual. Looking to go with about 2" lift and 35" tires.

Considering a re-gear to 4.56, pretty much all on-road/highway driving. What happens if I do the gear change before the new wheels and tires?

Bonus question: Is there any benefit or problem with that same setup on 4.10 instead of 4.56?

Thanks.

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[2nd 392]

Tires first will give you a better indication of what gearing to get.

 

[Triple Zero]

Tires first will give you a better indication of what gearing to get.

What kind of issues will I notice getting the tires first with the manual trans? Like, slower acceleration? Bad gas mileage?

 

[Rubi6mt]

I have a JLUR 6-speed. Currently running a 2.5inch lift and small 35's (KO2's 315/70/17). With the stock 4.10 gears (vs your 3.45's) its just about passable in 2hi daily driving. I'm basically 1 gear lower, ie instead of 4th i'm in 3rd etc. Offroading it works well (but i have a 4:1 transfer case).

With that said, I'm scheduled to have 4.88's installed next month along with the Centerforce II clutch.

 

[2nd 392]

What kind of issues will I notice getting the tires first with the manual trans? Like, slower acceleration? Bad gas mileage?

How sluggish acceleration, how it holds 6th gear, tire weight will also have an effect. Mileage vs performance, I choose performance. Edit, 35’s vary from ~ 52lbs to ~ 80lbs

 

[Some Random Guy]

Ask your installer about warranty of their work. Mine only warrantied their work with stock sized tires. Probably should have been a sign of the problems I’d have.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

There are a lot of factors that will come into play to determine which ratio will be best for you so I agree with @2nd 392 and would get the tires 1st and then see how much performance you lost to help decide on how much you need to re-gain. Also keep in mind any heavy mods that you might add in the future and if you think that you will ever go to 37s.

 

[Tncdrew]

I've got a '22 JL Willys 3.6 8-spd. No lifts planned, and when I get tired of these noisy Firestones, I'll probably go no bigger than 285's (33"). I'm looking to re-gear to 4.10 with all that. I think it'll be a great mild trail runner, and better on road as well.

 

[LOBBS]

Jeep offers the 4.88s as a factory option now for the stick. Manuals tend to need a little more gearing than automatics. With 35s, I'd go no lower than 4.56s with your setup but I'd strongly consider 4.88s. I went to 35s on my JLR and noticed a hit to my acceleration, gas mileage and just overall driveability. I've got 4.56s on order but I'm an automatic and honestly can't wait for the rears to come off backorder so I can get them installed (the front gears and install kits I've had for probably a couple of months now).

 

[Triple Zero]

I've got a '22 JL Willys 3.6 8-spd. No lifts planned, and when I get tired of these noisy Firestones, I'll probably go no bigger than 285's (33"). I'm looking to re-gear to 4.10 with all that. I think it'll be a great mild trail runner, and better on road as well.

That was also something I was considering, just doing 4.10 and going with Rubicon sizes tires at some point.

 

[Tank the Jeep]

I had a JK 3.6, manual and 4.56 gears. With 35s the 4.56 was perfect. Plenty of torque. Sixth gear was actually useful. I think you will have a great set up.

 

[Tncdrew]

That was also something I was considering, just doing 4.10 and going with Rubicon sizes tires at some point.

Yep, that's my plan! I'm a gearhead at heart and love reading about all the gears, tires, and lift kits, but all my rock crawling days are in the past, and now just looking for a decent mild trail ride. ?

 

[grimmjeeper]

I had a JK 3.6, manual and 4.56 gears. With 35s the 4.56 was perfect. Plenty of torque. Sixth gear was actually useful. I think you will have a great set up.

I had a 3.6 JK with 35s. Once I moved to Denver i wish I would have gotten 4.88s instead of 4.56.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

Yes at high altitude (+4000 ft) you want to regear prior. Hell, even at sea level I've had richmond 4.56 in a street car with 20'' wheels on zr30's.

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