Topic: Gearing for 35s

[stan98tj]

My last trip out really left me realizing I need a bit more clearance. I'm still pushing to swap over to an LJ and build that up, but it will be a costly acquisition and I don't know if I'll be able to do it as soon as Id like. So here's the question: I have 4.56 on a 3spd with 33s, how bad would the jeep's off road and on road performance be harmed by stepping up to 35s?
This is my attempt at a temporary solution. When I get the LJ, axles, tires and suspension swap over and Id sell my current jeep with LJ axles and the 33s it has now

[Mnkyboy]

I was running 4.88s with a manual trans and I wanted more gear with 33s, couldn't imagine 35s with 4.56 and an auto, some 2.5l autos came stock with 4.56.

[Jeffy]

I ran 4.56's with 35's for several years.  Wasn't a problem other then being geared to high for the highway.  Doing 70 mph was difficult if there was a headwind in OD.  But was okay in 4th.  You just have to rev it out around 3000-3300 IIRC.

[stan98tj]

I ran 4.56's with 35's for several years.  Wasn't a problem other then being geared to high for the highway.  Doing 70 mph was difficult if there was a headwind in OD.  But was okay in 4th.  You just have to rev it out around 3000-3300 IIRC.

You have a 5spd. Guess there's no way my 3spd auto is gonna do it. I'll wait for the lj, I guess. There's even a split argument for whether I can run 4.56 and 35s with the lj's auto 42RLE

[Jeffy]

You have a 5spd. Guess there's no way my 3spd auto is gonna do it. I'll wait for the lj, I guess. There's even a split argument for whether I can run 4.56 and 35s with the lj's auto 42RLE

Your 3rd gear is my 4th gear.  So like I said, you'll just have to rev it up to get over 70mph.  Going faster is a bit sketchy since you are at the mervy of the terrain and elements.  Driving at 70-75 mph in 4th isn't really a problem other then reving the engine a bit more then I'd like but that's not that bad, just uses more gas.

[Mozman68]

4.88's and 37's turned out to be perfect for my manual....5th gear is great for over 65 driving but perfect gearing to drop into 4th when I hit a strong headwind or hill.  Can hold 70 mph in 4th at about 3,000 rpm or just over for short spurts.

[Mnkyboy]

Crazy how much opinions vary. My brother is running a 4.0l 5spd with 5.13s on 37s and wishes he had went 5.38.

We put 5.13s in a buddies 4.0l auto LJ on 35s and he thought they were perfect.

My MJ had 4.88s with a 2.5l 4spd manual on 33s and I think it drove the better on 31s, im currently going 5.38 to run 37s.

[stan98tj]

Your 3rd gear is my 4th gear.  So like I said, you'll just have to rev it up to get over 70mph.  Going faster is a bit sketchy since you are at the mervy of the terrain and elements.  Driving at 70-75 mph in 4th isn't really a problem other then reving the engine a bit more then I'd like but that's not that bad, just uses more gas.

70 Hahahaha! I can't do 70...
Seriously, im waaaay over 3k at 70.

[stan98tj]

Crazy how much opinions vary. My brother is running a 4.0l 5spd with 5.13s on 37s and wishes he had went 5.38.

We put 5.13s in a buddies 4.0l auto LJ on 35s and he thought they were perfect.

My MJ had 4.88s with a 2.5l 4spd manual on 33s and I think it drove the better on 31s, im currently going 5.38 to run 37s.

Yikes, 5.13 for the LJ??!! Guess my hopes of transferring over my 4.56 axles to my future LJ for 35s is out of the question...

[jagular7]

For relative gearing, find the ratio you are stepping up to and multiply that times your current gear ratio. Pick the available closest higher gear ratio (numerically) for your diff application.

Example, (new tire/old tire) x old gear ratio = new gear ratio. Should be greater than 1 and less than 2....  I had 3.73 in my 97 TJ with 3-sp auto and 28" (235s) tires. I stepped up to 4.88s for the 35's. Now, they are really 35" tall, but you come close. My 97 auto has the tc lockout which also drops 300 or so rpms....