JeepinWI

Hi, i'm looking at a jeep (out of state) to buy and the guy doesn't know what the gear ratio is. Can i determine that with the vin or a parts number for the axle? thanks

ronjenx

Yes, a VIN will get the differential gear ratio as it left the factory. The owner will have to give the number to the dealer, or can get the information online.

What year is it, and what transmisson does it have. That can be a clue to the gear ratio.

JeepinWI

Its an 08 sahara stock with the manual. I do have the vin, where would i look it up? thanks

ronjenx

Well, it could be 3.21 or 3.73. If you said automatic, then it would have come with 3.73.

Someone will chime in with a link to get a build sheet from Jeep, but you may have to prove ownership.

Bring the VIN to the dealer and see if they will look it up for you. If they won't, ask if they will at least tell you the gear ratio.

This all assumes the Jeep has never been re-geared.

JeepinWI

Bump......

efan450

Jack up the back end...mark the drive shaft and have your friend turn the other tire exactly the same speed you turn the other tire and turn them one full revolution forward and count how many turns the drive shaft turned. A little over 3 turns would be 3.21, a little under 4 turns would be 3.73, a little over 4 turns is 4.10 and so on. I know its out of state, but its not hard to do, if they really want to sell it, and gear ratio is a selling point to you.

ronjenx

The Jeep is out of state. It seems nobody wants to do that process anyway.

efan450

Yeah I figured a much, but since I didn't see anyone mention it, I thought it wouldn't hurt. like the old p.s.a. says.."I learned it from watching you!" you know its really the only way to know for sure. Thanks for all your knowledge you've shared on the site. To the op whichever you decide to do I hope it works out...I know 1500 bucks is a nice chunk of change but it seems that's about the high end price of having it re geared if you end up not liking what it has.
food for thought I bought my 07 with 3.21's....which are considered by most as the worst set to have and with a little training on my gear usage...essentially I use 1-4, and 6 over 70mph it has been livable on 35's but I will be re gearing in the spring because I want to, but you can get by with even 3.21's