Topic: Gear selection on rebuilt engine

[damon54]

I know there were a couple of guys on here that did a similar build to YJ mechanic's 2.5.  I am just about finished with mine and here's what was done:

bored .60 over
decked the block
every thing balance
Hesco RV cam
Considering port matching the intake
4.0 Tb w/spacer.]

Now the next is gearing.  I would like to drive for a while to get a feel for it but I am running out of time as there is a little one due in March, so if anyone has a suggestion for the gearing let the advice flow.

Oh yea I plan on running 35's.

[Jeffy]

Same gearing that's recommended for everyone with a 4banger   

[damon54]

Hp increase does not change gearing selection?

[Jeffy]

Hp increase does not change gearing selection?

Torque is what really makes a difference.  Torque is what gets you moving.  Once you're at speed HP is what keep you moving.

The difference probably wouldn't be a huge difference but you could go with 4.88's.  Maybe 4.56's...  I'm running 4.56's now and I feel it's OK for me but you'll still be shifting through the gears a lot to keep the RPM's up.  5.13:'s would be a good choice for 35's.

[Bounty Hunter]

4.88 will work if you have stock axles, the extra HP will help things out a bit.

I'm running 5.38 and 35" tires, it's a little low but works best with the 36" tires that I run offroad.  So 5.13 or 5.38 if you have an overdrive tranny like the 5spd.

[damon54]

I was planning on 4.88's anyway.  This is the first engine I have rebuilt and I wanted to make sure that the gearing would be correct

[dunklervogel]

To these people with turbos and rebuilt engines: how is the ax5 (if that is the tranny you have) holding up to the extra HP?   I hear everyone saying that is going to be the first thing to bite the dust if something breaks from the power.  I know the dana 35 is weak but the 4.0s come with that axle as well so figured the tranny might be the first problem.