Regearing advice

[Minilla]

Hey guys, considering a regear here, just need some advice

I have a completely stock jl sport 2 door, manual transmission with 44 in the rear.

I've mentioned on the forums before, but the gearing in my jeep is absolutely terrible. I tow frequently a small trailer with it, less than 2k pounds of trailer and load. This seems to be where my biggest issue comes from, I bought the jeep as a two door cause I figured if I need to run to lowes I'll just hook up my trailer and boom, truckbed! But when I tow especially with this manual, it feels horrible. It bogs no matter the amount of rpm at take off, and I feel like I shouldn't have to bring the rpms to 4k just to pull off from a stop light. Makes me think I'm burning the clutch up.

Also the few times I've been able to actually offroad with it, I wished I could have had my trailer with me but don't trust the jeep with it in its gearing. Not to mention the bad performance without the trailer offroad, which is bad. Riding the clutch just to keep the jeep moving slower...

So I'm thinking regear. as I said I will be moving up to 33s. I want to be able to tow comfortably, offroad comfortably, and on road decent. Gas efficiency is not too much a concern, I don't use it to drive to work. It's literally the definition of a leisure vehicle, using it only for around town trips and off road excursions, both with and without my small 6 foot trailer.

Having mentioned all of my issues with current jeep, and what I'm looking to accomplish. I think I want to go 33s with 4.88 gears. I will also be potentially swapping out front axle for a gladiator front axle and the transfer case for a rubicon case. What do you all think? I would love to hear pros and cons of this setup!

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[sourdough]

Makes me glad I purchased a Rubicon with an 8 spd. 4.10 gears and 33's, worked well together.

 

[JEEP4U]

Which engine do you have?

If 3.6L -6MT 4.88 @ 33" would work well for towing. This ratio would conquer high elevations, head winds, and inclines.

 

[Some Random Guy]

I’m doing 4.56 on mine, but I don’t tow. I didn’t like 4.10 on-road with my 4 door.
Are you finding the need to ride the clutch in 4 Lo? Admittedly I haven’t done much yet, but have been fine with the sport transfer case using 1st and 2nd so far. It actually surprised me.

 

[grimmjeeper]

4.88s are on the high end for 33s but they will help with towing and let you run 35s with no problem.

 

[Minilla]

Awesome. Yeah it's the 3.6L manual transmission. Towing is primary concern with gears, want to have plenty of power with 2-2.5k pounds in first gear

 

[AlgUSF]

I'm thinking of regearing to 4.56 and putting a TruTrac in the front to help me through the sugar sand in Florida. My stock sport towed a 5x8 U-Haul full of camping gear and firewood to the mountains of NC/TN, no problem. I barely knew it was back there even with the 3.45 gearing. I'm going hold off on the regear until I'm a little deeper into my factory warranty, but when I put new rubber on I'm going to seriously think of regearing.

 

[word302]

Which engine do you have?

If 3.6L -6MT 4.88 @ 33" would work well for towing. This ratio would conquer high elevations, head winds, and inclines.

The manual only comes on the 3.6.

 

[word302]

Hey guys, considering a regear here, just need some advice

I have a completely stock jl sport 2 door, manual transmission with 44 in the rear.

I've mentioned on the forums before, but the gearing in my jeep is absolutely terrible. I tow frequently a small trailer with it, less than 2k pounds of trailer and load. This seems to be where my biggest issue comes from, I bought the jeep as a two door cause I figured if I need to run to lowes I'll just hook up my trailer and boom, truckbed! But when I tow especially with this manual, it feels horrible. It bogs no matter the amount of rpm at take off, and I feel like I shouldn't have to bring the rpms to 4k just to pull off from a stop light. Makes me think I'm burning the clutch up.

Also the few times I've been able to actually offroad with it, I wished I could have had my trailer with me but don't trust the jeep with it in its gearing. Not to mention the bad performance without the trailer offroad, which is bad. Riding the clutch just to keep the jeep moving slower...

So I'm thinking regear. as I said I will be moving up to 33s. I want to be able to tow comfortably, offroad comfortably, and on road decent. Gas efficiency is not too much a concern, I don't use it to drive to work. It's literally the definition of a leisure vehicle, using it only for around town trips and off road excursions, both with and without my small 6 foot trailer.

Having mentioned all of my issues with current jeep, and what I'm looking to accomplish. I think I want to go 33s with 4.88 gears. I will also be potentially swapping out front axle for a gladiator front axle and the transfer case for a rubicon case. What do you all think? I would love to hear pros and cons of this setup!

Where do you live and where do you wheel? If you’re always in the flats and never plan to go to 35s then I’d recommend 4.56. If you’re in the mountains or go there often or there’s any chance you’ll ever go 35s then I’d recommend 4.88.

 

[Minilla]

Coastal virginia. Only place to wheel legally is the mountains and outer banks.

 

[Zandcwhite]

How fast do you drive on the freeway? If you keep it at or below 70mph I’d say 4.88’s. If you push 80mph+ like we do out west, I’d stick with 4.56.

 

[JEEP4U]

70mph is max legal limit in Virginia.

Your RPM will be the following with 33" actual height in 6th gear (.72 overdrive)

a. 2340 w/4.56 or 2504 w/4.88 @70mph

b. 2674 w/4.56 or 2862 w/ 4.88 @80mph

 

[Minilla]

Yeah I don't go higher than 64 miles per hour. Maybe on a interstate I would ride at the speed limit. I drive like I'm driving miss daisy. I got nowhere to be fast.

I'm going to hit my highway and drive at 70 in whatever gear gets me to 2500 rpm and see how it feels. I appreciate the math you did there!

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