Gearing for 35s

jjparker3

New member
I've looked around in here and found parts and pieces of discussions concerning gears/gearing for this and that, but nothing that really clears up my question(s).

I am moving up to 35s. Between the laws of the country I'm living in and my budget, 35s are as large as I can go for now. Should I change the gearing in my 2011 2Dr 3.8 w/manual tranny upon installing the new tires? Drive train and engine are stock except Airiad CAI, Magnaflow exhaust and 3" lift.

If the recommendation is to re-gear, then what ratio is recommended? Is any gear company better the the others? I mainly drive on unimproved trails and sand. No crawling, minimal mud if I can avoid it (I hate cleaning) and the JK is my DD.

Lastly, what device/gadget would you recommend for recalibrating the speedo?

Thanks in advance,

JJP3
 
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Skid_Kid

New member
A 4.10 or 4.56 is good if your looking for a daily driver. If your looking for a fair daily driver and good crawler then 4.88 through 5.13 would work.
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
You'll be fine with 4.10's and 35's. You may want to get a tuner to set your shifting points if you have an auto.

Agreed and, he's got a manual so there won't be any shift points to deal with. Still, I would take the time to calibrate the speedo just the same :yup:

If you want more power, upgrading to 4.88's will bring you back to around stock performance and 5.13's will give you a bigger boost. I've run the later and loved it but, your RPM's at highway speeds will be higher.
 

Torrin

Member
Agreed and, he's got a manual so there won't be any shift points to deal with. Still, I would take the time to calibrate the speedo just the same :yup:

If you want more power, upgrading to 4.88's will bring you back to around stock performance and 5.13's will give you a bigger boost. I've run the later and loved it but, your RPM's at highway speeds will be higher.

On my '07 Manual with 35's, 4.88's is the lowest I would have wanted to go (In fact, 2.88's were perfect). Assuming he is running a D30 up front, 5.13's have tiny tiny little pinions. :)
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
On my '07 Manual with 35's, 4.88's is the lowest I would have wanted to go (In fact, 2.88's were perfect). Assuming he is running a D30 up front, 5.13's have tiny tiny little pinions. :)

Yup, on a D30, a 5.13 would leave you with a tiny pinion and isn't something I would do.
 

ssh6314

Member
So. Not to hijack. But I have a similar question.

2008 2dr X. Manual. Running 33's now. But want 35's when I lift. (Hopefully EVO bolt on)..but, my spec sheet says I'm I have the dreaded 3.21's. Is it a must to upgrade the gears before the 35's. I don't notice the difference from stock to 33's. But 35's are another animal. And how high gear ratio can I go with a d30/d44. Ty in advance

Sent from my PG86100 using WAYALIFE mobile app
 

wayoflife

Administrator
Staff member
So. Not to hijack. But I have a similar question.

2008 2dr X. Manual. Running 33's now. But want 35's when I lift. (Hopefully EVO bolt on)..but, my spec sheet says I'm I have the dreaded 3.21's. Is it a must to upgrade the gears before the 35's. I don't notice the difference from stock to 33's. But 35's are another animal. And how high gear ratio can I go with a d30/d44. Ty in advance

Sent from my PG86100 using WAYALIFE mobile app

There's no "must" but, you'll see a considerable amount of power loss with 35's if you don't regear.
 

PlenaBarba

New member
So. Not to hijack. But I have a similar question.

2008 2dr X. Manual. Running 33's now. But want 35's when I lift. (Hopefully EVO bolt on)..but, my spec sheet says I'm I have the dreaded 3.21's. Is it a must to upgrade the gears before the 35's. I don't notice the difference from stock to 33's. But 35's are another animal. And how high gear ratio can I go with a d30/d44. Ty in advance

Sent from my PG86100 using WAYALIFE mobile app

I've been driving with 3.21's and 35x12.5R17 Nitto Trail Grapplers since halloween. Mine is a 2dr Sport with no added weight except a full size spare. I ditched the back seat as well, so I run pretty light. Living in Louisiana at a low elevation and no hills, it does fine. The gears are tall. 1st goes to about 15-18mph before I shift 2nd to 28-30mph 3rd to about 40-42mph and so and and so forth.

It is a slug, but once you're rolling its not horrible. Stopping and starting, if you can worth a clutch well is no issue. My main concern is that I know its lugging the motor and transmission even in a light 2 dr when I'm constantly dropping down to about 500 RPM's when I shift, or conversely reving up to 3500 before I shift to drop down to a slightly higher (stock range) starting RPM in the next gear.

I'm making the jump to 4:88 and honestly, I'm thinking its going to be too much for me with these 35s. But, eventually this won't be a DD and I'll jump to 37's and all will be well. Or I'll move away from Louisiana and I'll be glad I have the extra power when climbing hills. Off road I'm sure it will be awesome. Drop to four low and just let the clutch out and watch it climb!

I hope this helps. I can take a video of the shifting points if you'd like.
 
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White_JKU

New member
I have 3.21's on a 2012 JKU auto with 35's.

I honestly could not tell any difference in power compared to stock... maybe im used to it after a little over a year of running the 35's.

I can stomp the gas and chirp the 35" mickey T's mud terrains on dry pavement. I will not regear until.i go 37's or bigger.
 

PlenaBarba

New member
I have 3.21's on a 2012 JKU auto with 35's.

I honestly could not tell any difference in power compared to stock... maybe im used to it after a little over a year of running the 35's.

I can stomp the gas and chirp the 35" mickey T's mud terrains on dry pavement. I will not regear until.i go 37's or bigger.

That's the difference between the 3.8L and the 3.6L.
 

ssh6314

Member
This is my main concern. I know I don't "have" to. But for he sake of my clutch and engine. I should shouldn't I? What range of gears. Or whats the highest ratio I can go in a D-30/44 combo

Sent from my PG86100 using WAYALIFE mobile app
 

Rock-itman

New member
That's the difference between the 3.8L and the 3.6L.

X2 Definately be careful ,looking at charts or graphs when comparing GEAR ratios to tire sizes. The 3.6 is a totally different animal . What will be great on the 3.8 will not be sooo on the 3.6. Old school stuff doesnt work necessarily the same anymore w/ gears and tires w/ theese new engines and computers !! Goodluck ;)
 

SoCalDozer

New member
X2 Definately be careful ,looking at charts or graphs when comparing GEAR ratios to tire sizes. The 3.6 is a totally different animal . What will be great on the 3.8 will not be sooo on the 3.6. Old school stuff doesnt work necessarily the same anymore w/ gears and tires w/ theese new engines and computers !! Goodluck ;)

im having that same issue with my 12' I have 3.21's and putting 35's on from 33's when I return home in a week then regearing but not sure if I want to do 4.88's or 4.56's. Im leaning towards 4.56 just since its a 12 and I would get a bigger pinion for the d30
 
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