Probably been asked a thousand times before...
Bought a used 09 JK 'X' model, 6 speed, with 3.8, with 35"s on 18"rims, and I'm thinking stock diffs. (that year with no towing package = 3.21)
I just put a hitch on it and a brake booster and tried towing the camper (2500lbs), and boy! did the JK not like that! Not one bit..
I couldn't get out of 4th gear, and down into 3rd to get up hills.
I saw the towing package comes with 3.73s... I'm thinking that would be okay for stock wheels and tires.
This is my daily driver, too, and I'm not always towing a trailer, but when I do, I want to head to the mountains.
Should I bite the bullet and put in the 4.10 and to hell with the MPG?
Is it really that much worse than the 3.73s?
I'm stumped...Thanks everyone for any help.
Oh, I'm new to this whole 'thread' thing, and apologize if there's one already going on this subject.
Don't guess the right gear ration. It's easy to pick the right one for your Jeep and your preferences.
You need to make your own choice of gear ratio by looking at the gear chart for the 3.8 engine and manual transmission. Run a simple search and it will come up. Then pick 35" tires and the RPM you want to cruise at 70 MPH. There are 3 colored stripes in that RPM range. The left stripe is for fuel economy (lower RPM), the middle is an average and the right stripe is for performance. I would choose the performance for towing.
Why not post this picture up one more time? Even overseas where they give Wranglers higher tow ratings it's still limited to 1000 kg (2200 lbs). Better brakes may also be a good idea.
Probably been asked a thousand times before...
Bought a used 09 JK 'X' model, 6 speed, with 3.8, with 35"s on 18"rims, and I'm thinking stock diffs. (that year with no towing package = 3.21)
I just put a hitch on it and a brake booster and tried towing the camper (2500lbs), and boy! did the JK not like that! Not one bit..
I couldn't get out of 4th gear, and down into 3rd to get up hills.
I saw the towing package comes with 3.73s... I'm thinking that would be okay for stock wheels and tires.
This is my daily driver, too, and I'm not always towing a trailer, but when I do, I want to head to the mountains.
Should I bite the bullet and put in the 4.10 and to hell with the MPG?
Is it really that much worse than the 3.73s?
I'm stumped...Thanks everyone for any help.
Oh, I'm new to this whole 'thread' thing, and apologize if there's one already going on this subject.
I had the 3.21's with 33's and THAT sucked without towing a trailer!!!!
35's and pulling a trailer...wow! If you are going to re-gear for the 35's; I would go for 4.88's, maybe even 5.13's.
Of course, I don't pull with my JEEP, but I am running 5.38's and 37's and don't regret it one bit. But then I hardly ever see 65 MPH! If I have to go that fast, I have other vehicles to do it with.
Best of luck to you at what ever you do!
Ok, there's a lot of information here. According to the chart (thanks computeruser6), the minimum I should run is the 4:1 ratio, but I think to be safe the 4:56 is the way to go. Now its not just a gear swap, though, is it? I'm thinking the housing needs to changed, and how would the axles hold up?
She's an '09 with 108000kms (67000 miles - for my American neighbours)... maybe she's just done and I should get the shiny blue Rubicon with the tow package that's at the dealer here in town and calls to me every morning when I drive by.....
Of course then I'd have to sleep in it, because my wife will have changed the locks on the house before I got it home.
Regardless...I get sidetracked easily by shiny things- I enjoy the Jeep and appreciate all the help. Thanks guys!
I was told about the new carriers at the NAPA this morning. They are pricing out the complete swap out 'kit' for the 4:56. TWEAK, that's good info, as our trailer is similar to a teardrop, although a little bigger. JEEPDON, I'm afraid the 4:88 or the 5:13s would make the fuel consumption unbearable.
I'll let you know what NAPA comes back with....
I was told about the new carriers at the NAPA this morning. They are pricing out the complete swap out 'kit' for the 4:56. TWEAK, that's good info, as our trailer is similar to a teardrop, although a little bigger. JEEPDON, I'm afraid the 4:88 or the 5:13s would make the fuel consumption unbearable.
I'll let you know what NAPA comes back with....
Thanks, Don. Am I looking at a new housing, too? NAPA's dragging their feet on this.. remember the front is the little Dana 30. (Pretty sure I just answered my own question, huh?)
No, unless you want to upgrade to something better.
Sleeves/Truss and gusset the "C"s, Synergy or Dynatrac ball joints or any other quality brand, and unless you are really beating on it, you will be good to go with the D30. But you will need a carrier for the front. If you even think you may want a locker or limited slip.... NOW will be the time to do it!
Again, good to know!
I will stick with the D30, 4:56.
Just to get me back and forth to work, throw the 'yaks and the canoe on the roof, grab the trailer and head to the mountains....hopefully in fifth, and dare I say it---sixth gear!
I'll let you know how it turns out - Don, I owe you a nice, cold beverage!
--cheers!
Again, good to know!
I will stick with the D30, 4:56.
Just to get me back and forth to work, throw the 'yaks and the canoe on the roof, grab the trailer and head to the mountains....hopefully in fifth, and dare I say it---sixth gear!
I'll let you know how it turns out - Don, I owe you a nice, cold beverage!
--cheers!
:beermeos Equus Amber; Negra Modelo; or Amberbock, please!!!!!!!!!!
You are more than welcome!!!!
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
Jeep Wrangler Forum
9M posts
468K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!