Replace Axles or Just Re-Gear?

[Mocopo]

If you don’t wheel then just regear the axles you have

2nd vote for this. I regeared a JK Sport S back in the day to 4:88, on 35s. Loved it. I could hit 80 on the interstate no problem, no real gear hunting going on. Granted, hitting 80 on the interstate in a lifted 2 dr JK is scary for other reasons lol

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[Stuckinthesand]

I have a 19 sport s with 35”s, front and rear steel bumpers and winch on an AEV 2.5” lift. Still on stock gears at 80k. I wheel half dozen times a year on the rocks and no issues. I don’t do anything crazy. Usually blue trails but will occasionally do a light black. I do have the M220 rear with limited slip. Drive it and see how it feels.

 

[Pig-Pen]

I ran 35s and stock gears on my Sport for a few years. And i did pretty aggressive stuff. Only a few times did i wish i had better gearing, on the tougher stuff. On the street? Mild offroad. Stock is more than fine. Especially if you dont have the funds.
See how you like it. If you get tired of it, you can get gears done pretty “cheap”. $1-1500 installed.
rubi axles will really set you back and are overkill for what youre talking about.

i have 37s now and do some pretty extreme stuff and am still on stock axles. 5+ years of aggressive wheeling. I did upgrade to 4.88 for the 37s though.

i know others with sports on 35s with stock gears and theyre happy with it.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Would I have to find rubicon suspension parts though? I was led to believe the rubicon axles are made for the rubicon suspension (bigger)

Suspension, no. Steering, yes. The wider axles use a different tie rod and drag link. Other than that they just bolt right in.

If you find a good deal on Rubicon axles, go for it. Otherwise, regearing a Sport that doesn't really off road is just fine.

 

[Terry R]

I have a 2018 Sport S, 3.6 Auto lifted on 35s. I rarely see 8th gear above 55 mph and usually stay in 6th on the interstate(75+ mph). I have asked the same question before and received the same responses. I looked for Rubi takeoffs and they are usually around $4k, not counting the steering upgrade and installation. That is pretty steep. I have only owned mine for a year, so haven’t taken it on very many trails. But the ones I have done, my Jeep handled them fine. If anything, having sway bar disconnects would have been more beneficial than gearing or lockers. I think if I get to the point where I feel the gearing is suffering, then I will either regear or trade up to a Rubicon or Willy’s.

 

[Cips]

Another vote for don't do anything.

Wait til you get the work done and drive it, see what it feels like. if you want a little more than regear what you currently have since you don't go wheeling.

 

[TEAMSLO]

I'd say find some take off rubi axles, if you can afford that, finding the stock rubi suspension is pretty easy and may even be free if you know the person. I threw my last rubi supsension ones out after a holding onto them a few months and now with the 392, may do the same eventually.

This will correct your issue but also open up further possibilities if you decide you like hitting the dirt. Regearing is costly but if you could add a bit more to the budget, with a little luck, you'll find the rubi axles.

 

[datammwv13]

I have a 24 manual sport S that comes from factory with 3.45. Was useless with even 33 on it. I priced around and regearing was darn near 4000 to 4800 everywhere. I found Rubi take offs with less then 3000 miles on them up in Detroit (verified vin) for same pricing with all Sterring componets. Swapping axles is a Saturday ALL day job but very easy to do with shade tree machanic tools. I could not do axle swap with current tools. I gain allot more by going to Rubicon axles both front and rear. I already had Trailer tow package so just used the switches to activate a front and rear locker on my sport. I have since even gone to BFG 35 and have no complaintes w/ the Stock rubi 4.10 and manual.

 

[LiVinIt]

I swapped some brand new Rubi take offs onto my Sport and am pretty happy with the 4:10 gearing.
We run from S Florida up to the NC mountains several times a year so it’s seeing some highway use.
I cruise at 72 in 7th gear getting about 16 mpg. I’ve tried manually forcing 8th but there is no noticeable improvement in mpg.

 

[AlgUSF]

I just regeared my JLUS 6MT to 4.56 in anticipation of going to 34's/35's in the near future. With the stock tires I'd have been happy with the 4.10s but since I'm going bigger I decided to go deeper. If I'd put rubi axles on my Jeep I'd have regeared anyway so I decided to keep my sport axles.

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