Author Topic: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..  (Read 2528 times)

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the2040

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Hello, I just recently got a 2004 Wrangler and I love it. I have wanted a jeep sense before I started driving and I finally got one!  I used to drive a 2000 Chev 1500 and it just sucked down the gas, so to justify buying a jeep I told myself I would save on gas. 

To get to my question, I was really used to having power in my truck and I know I will not get the same power out of my 4 cyl. I have been talking to friends and co-workers about upgrades I can do. From a friend of a friend I was told that gearing was the best way to go.  I was also told that putting an air intake and headers I would loose toque.  So my question is witch is the best economical way to get more power out of my jeep. I do use this to get to work and back and I need to be able to keep up on the freeway  :smile:

What are the gear ratios that I should be looking at? Or will an air intake and upgraded exhaust help just as much on the freeway? Sorry for the newbi sounding questions but I couldn't find anything in the FAQ.

rroadkilll

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2008, 04:29:29 AM »
Congrats on the new purchase!!!

Depending on how much power you want depends on what you want to do!!!

Remember its a  4banger...   NOT your old truck!!!

gunslinger

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2008, 06:33:04 AM »
  I have not regeared mine yet but will soon. I drive 65 miles one way to work mostly highway miles. I am running 33" tires with a 4" suspension lift, 4 banger with automatic trans. My Jeep with hang with any stock 4.0 inline six. Here are the mods, Flex-a-lite electric fan, Poweraid throttle body spacer, AEM brute force cold air intake and the big kick in the a$$ a Jet powertech stage 2 performance chip. The cool thing about Jeepin is everyone does it there way, and the great thing about this forum is you can get ideas from others and see what works and what don't. It will save you time and money. Build your Jeep your way and have fun. Happy Jeepin.

Offline jfrabat

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2008, 10:25:07 AM »
From a friend of a friend I was told that gearing was the best way to go.  I was also told that putting an air intake and headers I would loose toque.  So my question is witch is the best economical way to get more power out of my jeep. I do use this to get to work and back and I need to be able to keep up on the freeway  :smile:

What are the gear ratios that I should be looking at? Or will an air intake and upgraded exhaust help just as much on the freeway? Sorry for the newbi sounding questions but I couldn't find anything in the FAQ.

First things first; yes, regearing will probably have the greatest effects (short of an engine swap!), but it will also put the biggest dent in your pocket.  Gears will typically depend on your tire size and if you are planning to change axles or not...  I currently run 31s with the original 4.10 gears, but I plan to switch to 33s and 4.88 (that's as high as you can go on the D30 and D35).  If you switch to D44, for example, you can go higher (lower, really), and so forth.  4.88 and 33s will be about the same as the stock setup.  Your own set up will depend on what you want to do (rocks, mud, daily driver, etc), the size of tire you are planning one running (31, 32, 33, 35 etc) and the axles you got on or are planning to put on the Jeep.  I should point out that your rear D35 will most likely not be able to handle 35" tires, so gearing is not the only reason people change the axles...  It is also done to fix the weak link on the Jeep.

Now, about the other options you mentioned...  I dont have headers, but I have heard that they will sacrifice low end torque for high end horsepower.But I have not heard anything wrong about the cold air intake (quite the oppossite, actually).

Other things that can be done include an eFan conversion, improved ignition system, hi-flow cat, and cat back system to reduce the restrictions in the exhaust.  You can also use a K&N filter or similar for better airflow to the engine (I recommend a CAi system as a better option), but keep in mind that the more air the filter lets by, the bigger the particles that get by as well (generally speaking), so paper filament is still a good choice for offroading.

Now, if you want to spend more than a few bucks and/or like doing heavy mechanical stuff, you could opt for a turbo setup (ther are a couple of threads here on that), or you could modify your engine (I remember YJMechanic did something like this some time back).

Felipe
'94 YJ 2.5L with 4" RE lift, Superwinch EPi9.0, FoMoCo e-Fan, SD30 and SD35 w/ARB-5.13, 165A alt., 33" BFG KM2 on 15" AR wheels, Sony sound system, Pavement Ends Hardtop, Hydroboost

the2040

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2008, 12:11:06 PM »
thank you all for the information! That deff helps allot :)

JCAUDILL0034

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2008, 06:22:40 PM »
are you still likin the jeep???i use to have a 1994 Gmc 2500 4x4 3/4 ton ....love the jeep much more but would like the 3/4 ton axles under the jeep

the2040

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #6 on: June 10, 2008, 11:22:20 PM »
Ya I love my jeep, but for diff reasons :P My jeep gets much much better gas milage and is allot more fun offroad. Unfortunately my truck had much much more power and luxury lol. Still I would trade in my truck for my jeep again because deep down I like jeeps allot more then trucks!

UNLIMITLESS

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2008, 10:55:42 AM »
I hear you on the Power. My last truck was a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab w/Hemi. 345 Hp but got 11 MPG. I do also miss the room (2 kids) but it cuts down on the crap they can take with them. I did the 4.0 Throttle Body and will do the electric fan probally this Summer. The TB is a great upgrade for the $$$. Your Jeep with the bigger tire will benefit from the Regear but like jfrabat said but it is a pricey adventure.

Offline Mozman68

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2008, 12:49:45 PM »
I was cursing my rig this morning....just as I would try to pass a truck on the highway I would hit some slight incline....and then the burst of air coming off the front of the truck....right around that time three cars would appear right out of nowhere riding my tail...then the truck would start to pull ahead.... :'(
2009 Audi S5....what....its 4wd...sort of....

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2008, 01:34:06 PM »
I was cursing my rig this morning....just as I would try to pass a truck on the highway I would hit some slight incline....and then the burst of air coming off the front of the truck....right around that time three cars would appear right out of nowhere riding my tail...then the truck would start to pull ahead.... :'(

Yup, lower gears would have helped.   :wall:
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline Mozman68

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2008, 05:23:42 PM »
Yup, lower gears would have helped.   :wall:

Nope....only a new engine will help me now.  :stick:
2009 Audi S5....what....its 4wd...sort of....

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2008, 06:28:00 PM »
Nope....only a new engine will help me now.  :stick:

Only because you don't want to buy a second set of gears.   :lol:
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline Mozman68

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2008, 06:39:45 PM »
Only because you don't want to buy a second set of gears.   :lol:

That's right....the gears I bought are correct.......for a V8
« Last Edit: June 16, 2008, 06:39:58 PM by Mozman68 »
2009 Audi S5....what....its 4wd...sort of....

Offline aw12345

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2008, 06:44:20 PM »
You got to learn to drive it like an old diesel car haha. Backup a ways and then make a run for it
Was the only way you could ever pass anything with an old Mercedes diesel would take more than a mile to pass anything, especially pulling a trailer
2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ SE
2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ SE

Offline Jeffy

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Re: Hi I'm new to these forums and I have a few simple questions..
« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2008, 07:47:19 PM »
You got to learn to drive it like an old diesel car haha. Backup a ways and then make a run for it
Was the only way you could ever pass anything with an old Mercedes diesel would take more than a mile to pass anything, especially pulling a trailer

Yup, and draft till you're about 1-2 car lengths and sling shot past them...
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZNlr60GXH5OlKIFrT7P6mg
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."