Gear upgrade

zchurch

zchurch

New member
I recently got a 2003 TJ wrangler that has what I believe to be about a 2.5 or 3 inch lift with 33's. I am pretty sure the gears are stock because I have trouble keeping up at highway speeds. I was wanting to know more in depth about upgrading my gears. I've never really messed with gears before but I would like to know the benefits and pros and cons on fixing it up. I am going to put a 4 inch lift on it in the next year and in the next two years I may go to 35's but I'm going to stay at 33 inch tires for a while. Thanks for the help. ImageUploadedByWAYALIFE1440981957.530164.jpg
 
Well from another thread I just read I think it has convinced me to go with 35 inch tires sooner. So now I need to know what gears I need to put in mine to be able to run 35's effectively and not break anything every time I put my rig under strain on the trail.
 
I ran 4.56 on my manual TJ with 35s and was happy with the performance. That is assuming you have the 4.0, I couldn't even recommend what is good with the 4 cyl.


The above link is talking about JKs not TJs
 
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I think 4:56 is a good gear if you are going to be driving a lot with 35's. 37's 4:88 if it's more trails and crawling then 5:13 imo
 
I don't see a 4.0L sticker along the side, so I'm guessing it's a 2.5L manual?

4.88s will work for 33s and the 5spd, 5.13 for 35s. Do you have a dana 35 rear axle? I'd change that out to a 44 or an 8.8 before you regeared it. D35 and 35s is not a good combo

Otherwise, for a 4.0 manual, 4.56 for 33s, 4.88 for 35s. 4.0 auto 3spd = 4.10 for 33s, 4.56 for 35s. 4.0 4spd auto = 4.88 for 33s, 5.13 for 35s. The 4spd auto OD is terrible

Look into Revolution gears. They now make 5.13s for a d35 and d30, with the pinion size being the same as 4.88s. No worries about it being weaker

Edit: Just saw it was a 2003, so it either had the 2.4 or the 4.0. If 4.0 auto, look above at 4.0 with 4spd auto gearing. 2.4 would be close to that of the 2.5 gearing
 
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Yes it's the 4.0 and thanks for the help. Eddie's post said go with 4.88 for 35's. I think I will just go with them to be safe. I need a set of tires before winter so I'm going to get 33's and while they are wearing out I will save up and get the gears in and a 4inch lift. So when I need to replace the tires I can just get the 35's then.
 
Go as low as you can. I have 4.56 put in by PO. It's not bad, but 4.88 or 5.13 would be better. Though 5.13 wouldn't be good with 33's. I'm on 35's with a 6 speed.
 
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