Need Gear Help, Complicated Situation...Trailer, Heavy Jeep and 35s Expedition Style
#1
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Need Gear Help, Complicated Situation...Trailer, Heavy Jeep and 35s Expedition Style
Hello all. I have been busy working on the "Jurassic" JK. I am almost done with my long list. The Jeep is a 2011 3.8 6spd with 3.73 gears. Its lifted with an AEV 3.5 and I run 35 MTRs. The jeep and trailer weigh about 6400lbs. I have a gobi rack, warn winch, ACE stubby front and ORFab rear bumper. I am looking for the best gear ratio for this Jeep. I have seen the gear ratio spec sheets but they dont account for these things. The Jeep was just fine living in Virginia. I recently moved to Oregon and the hills are killing me, especially with the trailer and tent. Just wanted to get some real opinions on gears. I have been thinking about maybe 37s way down the road but most likely sticking with 35s. Should I go 4.88 or 5.13s? Any info would be great. I have looked and searched everywhere but cant find datas with the weight and trailer.
#2
JK Freak
If it's a auto 5:38's. I am in the same situation. Just moved from Mississippi to utah. Even with 5:38's and 37's it sucks on these mtns!
I ran 5:38's in my Dana 30 with 37 mud grapplers and they held up. Just didn't get to crazy with them.
Richmond gear made the gears but they are hard to come by now. 5:13 without a doubt otherwise.
Edit. Missed the 6 speed, but if you plan on 37's I would probably still do 5:13.
Especially pulling a trailer and all that weight. My rigs 5700 unloaded.
I ran 5:38's in my Dana 30 with 37 mud grapplers and they held up. Just didn't get to crazy with them.
Richmond gear made the gears but they are hard to come by now. 5:13 without a doubt otherwise.
Edit. Missed the 6 speed, but if you plan on 37's I would probably still do 5:13.
Especially pulling a trailer and all that weight. My rigs 5700 unloaded.
#4
JK Jedi
IF you like driving fast on the interstate I would look at 4.88 if you are no speed demon and drive 55-60 the 5.13 would be a good choice towing a trailer in the hills.
#5
JK Freak
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With the 6-speed, 4.88 should be enough with 35s. 6th gear trans gear ratio is not nearly as high as auto OD.
37s might be another story. I can't say. Never had 37s. But many here who have done 37s with the 1 gallon engine and manual (I prefer British units).
BTW - My beast is not light on her feet either.
37s might be another story. I can't say. Never had 37s. But many here who have done 37s with the 1 gallon engine and manual (I prefer British units).
BTW - My beast is not light on her feet either.
#6
JK Jedi Master
With the 6-speed, 4.88 should be enough with 35s. 6th gear trans gear ratio is not nearly as high as auto OD.
37s might be another story. I can't say. Never had 37s. But many here who have done 37s with the 1 gallon engine and manual (I prefer British units).
BTW - My beast is not light on her feet either.
37s might be another story. I can't say. Never had 37s. But many here who have done 37s with the 1 gallon engine and manual (I prefer British units).
BTW - My beast is not light on her feet either.
#7
JK Jedi Master
Yep. Let me give this some numbers: At 70 MPH with 4.88s you'll be turning 3,000 RPMs. Try driving around in a lower gear at 70 MPH and 3,000 RPMs and see how comfortable you are with that. I have a friend who won't cruise above 70 MPH because he is not happy with it. But, he has 5.13s. And, of course, 5.13s are weaker, especially in a D30 (you don't have a Rubi, right?), though for expedition travel that is less problematic than for a full-time rock crawler. But, bottom line, you're still going to find yourself gasping to get to the tops of hills, even with 5.13s.
Last edited by Mark Doiron; 01-08-2014 at 01:53 AM.
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#8
JK Enthusiast
Thread Starter
It's a non rubicon with a 30 and 44. We are in Bend Oregon and have a ton of hills and passes. In town I rarely maybe once a month will get above 50mph. I take it off road but only on trails no crawling. More concerned with power and towing for the hills than highway