iddpaul
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Paul
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2020
- Threads
- 5
- Messages
- 56
- Reaction score
- 186
- Location
- Central Florida
- Vehicle(s)
- 2025 JLUR, 2023 JTRD
- Vehicle Showcase
- 1
Hi, this is a common question...should I regear or not? So the short answer for me is "most definitely YES".
Firstly you can look at every chart and "arm-chair" recommendation, pretend that the auto 8-speed trans will always be able to hide incorrect gearing performance, or you can talk/listen to those who have made the upgrade and experienced the difference.
I don't want to start a battle as there are plenty of comments for and against on other posts, but in short, you will see a huge improvement in performance and driving experience. In my mind I put a gear change as item #3 in my mod list. After deciding what environment you'll spend most of your time in (highway, trails or climbing something) then decide on #1 - a lift or no lift, #2 - size of tires and then (based on #1 and #2), do #3 - get a gear swap (money very well spent). All the other "bolt-ons" can be added later to enhance your Jeeping experience.
Myself, I have a JL/3.6/auto, 3.5" lift, 37's and 4:88's. It's perfect for where I now live (20' above sea level and a road trip to the trails). If I were at higher elevations or had more challenging trails I would have gone 5:13's - period (an easy decision). My last two Wranglers (JK's before the JL) both had gear changes and it was the best spend that I made on them.
For me, again dependent upon your environment and intended use - for 35" tires either 4:56 (probably best per your comments) or 4:88"s. For 37" tires, either 4:88's or 5:13. Through my years of mods, I haven't heard of anyone complaining about their gear change except that maybe they wish they'd gone up a set (numerically higher but lower gears - 5:13's instead of 4:88's).
To help a little more, if you decide to "build" a Wrangler look what Jeep is now offering - with the XR / 35" tire option you can select 4:56 with the auto or 4:88's with the six speed. There is a reason and makes for an easy decision if the manufacturer is offering the gear change...!
Finally, if you're worried about the factory warranty, then you're best to stay "stock" until it expires because you have a greater than 50% chance that any fix from the dealer will be denied. For myself, life is too short, so 1 month after purchase the lift went on and gears were changed. Experience is so much more fun than reading about it...!!
Firstly you can look at every chart and "arm-chair" recommendation, pretend that the auto 8-speed trans will always be able to hide incorrect gearing performance, or you can talk/listen to those who have made the upgrade and experienced the difference.
I don't want to start a battle as there are plenty of comments for and against on other posts, but in short, you will see a huge improvement in performance and driving experience. In my mind I put a gear change as item #3 in my mod list. After deciding what environment you'll spend most of your time in (highway, trails or climbing something) then decide on #1 - a lift or no lift, #2 - size of tires and then (based on #1 and #2), do #3 - get a gear swap (money very well spent). All the other "bolt-ons" can be added later to enhance your Jeeping experience.
Myself, I have a JL/3.6/auto, 3.5" lift, 37's and 4:88's. It's perfect for where I now live (20' above sea level and a road trip to the trails). If I were at higher elevations or had more challenging trails I would have gone 5:13's - period (an easy decision). My last two Wranglers (JK's before the JL) both had gear changes and it was the best spend that I made on them.
For me, again dependent upon your environment and intended use - for 35" tires either 4:56 (probably best per your comments) or 4:88"s. For 37" tires, either 4:88's or 5:13. Through my years of mods, I haven't heard of anyone complaining about their gear change except that maybe they wish they'd gone up a set (numerically higher but lower gears - 5:13's instead of 4:88's).
To help a little more, if you decide to "build" a Wrangler look what Jeep is now offering - with the XR / 35" tire option you can select 4:56 with the auto or 4:88's with the six speed. There is a reason and makes for an easy decision if the manufacturer is offering the gear change...!
Finally, if you're worried about the factory warranty, then you're best to stay "stock" until it expires because you have a greater than 50% chance that any fix from the dealer will be denied. For myself, life is too short, so 1 month after purchase the lift went on and gears were changed. Experience is so much more fun than reading about it...!!
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