I have a 2014 Sport, automatic transmission, that originally had 3.21 gears. I'm in the middle of a Rubicon axle swap. Got the rear in over the weekend, with the front drive shaft removed. Used a ProCal to set the final drive ratio to 4.88. The GPS tracks with the speedometer, so I know that is good.

I am curious what I should expect to feel with this change. I do feel a difference, but is it the RIGHT difference.

For those that have done this, what, SPECIFICALLY, should feel different, if anything, during acceleration, deceleration, etc.

I have noticed that it shifts earlier than before - that's good. But I have also noticed this "downshifting" feeling when slowing to a stop, that you would expect to feel if you downshift a manual transmission.

 

did you actually SWAP GEARS to 4.88 or just us the programmer to change the setting??? I am hoping you got the gears....
You will notice a BIG difference.. acceraltion, ablity to actually pass on the free way..... .it may even put you back in your seat a little bit... you will really feel the difference when you wheel.. I am in a 2011 with 3.73 running 35's.. SLUG..... getting ready to have 5.13 put in .... the shops "SHOP JEEP" is a 2014 MOAB with 3.5 lift, 4.88 gears and 37's... can roast the tires... if ya want to... its like a totally different beast...

 

I'm getting ready to re-gear soon. Subbed.

 

I should have been clear. The Rubicon axles have 4.88s in them. Replaced my complete Sport rear housing with the Rubicon housing with the eLocker and 4.88 gearset.

I know I will feel a difference, but I want SPECIFICS. What is that difference? I guess I am just trying to validate that what I am feeling is what I expect.

 

Daily driving should not be that much different, starting from a stop will take less effort and you will handle most highway speed grade changes with downshifting. The jeep should feel a bit more sprite and I am sure your foot will adjust to the throttle over the first couple of weeks.

Off road is where it is really going to show, you will drive slower and in more control over obstacles and should feel more like a race car when you do want to get on the throttle, quickly raving and spinning the tires. You will not bog down on steep climbs or in the mud and will be able to power thru those things.

 

I went from 35s with 3.73s and added 37s for about 2 weeks before I got my axles done, now I'm 4.88 with 37s and a manual. I have about 1500 miles on the swap now. Daily driving is definitely a big improvement, a lot of fun to drive now. Offroad is where I reeeeeally noticed the difference. Being a manual I would have to burn the clutch quite often to keep moving or stop from stalling and I couldn't stay in 2wd without really bearing on it. 4low crawls now and 2wd is awesome without stalling. I'm from the east coast so we do a lot more hill climbs so I don't get into the slow stuff much. I couldn't imagine having a rubi t case with these gears though.

 

Really?!? Why? I have 4.88s and a Rubi transfer case and it's awesome for wheeling. I'm on the east coast as well but I mostly play in the rocks.

 

From a generic chart, if you had the 35" tires on with the 3:21 gears you would be doing 1791 rpm at 70 mph. With the 4:88's you'll be doing 2723 rpm at 70 mph. Just guessing that the stock tire size would have been 30", with the 3:21 gears it would have been doing 2090 rpm at 70 mph.

So running the 4:88's with 35"s should be giving you more powerful acceleration from a stop, and you'll hear the engine churning faster at high speeds.

 

Can't wait to get it on the rocks. Soon.

So is the "downshift" feeling expected?

 

Not sure what you are calling a "downshifting feeling" but your transmission would actually be downshifting when slowing to a stop.