[plumber1]

I am going to be switching from my 31's to 33's and know that my mighty
4-cyl will be gasping.

So I know I need to change gearing want to know what you are using either 4:56 or 4:88 and how are they working.

[Axl Jack]

You have 4.10's now. So with 31's at 45 MPH in 4th gear, you are turning 2000 RPMs. (I've been a member of this forum waaaaaay to long when I have that memorized.) Anyway, how does it feel to you? Low on power? Adequate.

the 2nd question to consider is do you really do enough offroading to justify the need for 33's, or are you just going for the "cool" factor. Me, for instance, I'm putting a 4" lift on my Jeep but still only going to run a 32" tire because thats all I need for the type of offroading I do.

Lastly, IF you are going to pay for a regear (whether paying a professional or doing it yourself) its a waste of money to go from 4.10's to only 4.56. If you are going to go through the expense of doing it, go with 4.88's.... especially in the case where you have the mighty 4 angry squirrels. I'm going to be running 4.10's on 32's with a 4.0L. Most would agree that the 6 cyl and 4.10's are great up to a 33". Anything taller and you'd want shorter gears. So, since you have the 4 cylinder.... 4.88's or bust my friend.

Oh, and go to this site here: http://www.ringpinion.com/Calc_RPM.aspx
You can calculate your current RPMs at certain speeds, then change the gear ratio to see approx what type of RPMs you'd be running with a certain ratio and various tire sizes.

[Mean Max]

^^X2^^

Figured mathematically, if your stock tire size was 29" with 4.10 gears, then 4.67 ratio gears would make it "feel" the same as it did stock with the new 33's on.

If your stock tire size was 30" with 4.10 gears, then 4.51 ratio gears would make it "feel" the same as it did stock with the new 33's on.

IMO, I would go with 4.88's to get a bit more power in either case.

There are calculators you can play around with at www.4lo.com if you want to experiment a little.

[dennis690]

Go with 4:88s I put them in mine and love it. Another good cheap mod for the mighty 2.5 is to add a inertia ring. Tri-County Gear sells them.

[Tom95YJ]

4.88's FTW !!!!

4banger = 4.88's other wise re gearing would be a waste of money

[J33Pyj]

4:88's all the way best mod for the money i'v done so far

[plumber1]

Axel,

Right now my power is ok, I am looking at going on the Jeepers Jamboree "Rubicon Trail" next summer and they require a min. of 33's. And I know that the way it is now I will not be loving life with the 4:10's and 33's

[plumber1]

For those that have done the switch to 4:88's how is gas mileage, torque, or anything else changed. How is it compared with stock gears and stock tires if got the jeep stock. Also what other changes have you made, it seems every time I change one thing it multiplies into something else. Did this gear changes require any other changes.

[joe's_yj]

4.88 so when you go bigger, you can. im runnin 4.88 on my 4 banger

[OneCleanYj]

IO really can't remember how my Jeep was stock, but it was quick for a little 4 banger. It was acceptable with stock gears and 33's, but once I got 4:88's I was amazed at the difference. I'm running a set of 15x8 Mickey Thompson knock-off wheels with some used 35" MT/R's and if I don't drive it like a mad man I can average 18-20 consitently. Torque could be better, but hey it's the 2.5 I can run 80 down the highway all day with my 35's, but mileage defenitely drops then

Origonal Poster: As said, 4:88's or bust I almost thought mine would be acceptable with 4:56's when I went t0 regear, I'm glad I went lower!

[plumber1]

Well my other thought is to buy a 6 cyl and do a tub swap. I've got toooooooooooo much money into this one to just start over. But may swap and part out the 4 cyl and any other left over items. Because I know putting in 4:88's will not be cheap either. Well thanks for your thoughts.

[Mean Max]

Originally Posted by plumber1

Well my other thought is to buy a 6 cyl and do a tub swap. I've got toooooooooooo much money into this one to just start over. But may swap and part out the 4 cyl and any other left over items. Because I know putting in 4:88's will not be cheap either. Well thanks for your thoughts.

Gear would be TONS cheaper. It'll have good power (better than stock!) with 4.88's & 33's.

[OneCleanYj]

Originally Posted by Mean Max

Gear would be TONS cheaper. It'll have good power (better than stock!) with 4.88's & 33's.

Agreed again. Gearing isn't all that much, find shops in your area that do it and see how much they charge, some places cut the labor cost a bit when you do F&R at once. A 4.0 swap would more than likely cost much more than gears, a lot less headaches too. Edit: I see you're in Northern CA. Where at exactly? I'm learning how to do gears right now, I could possibly give you a hand if you'd trust my workmanship If you're not too far away anyway. Or you could bring it to my buddy's shop, so I can make some extra dough with him

Curious- What's the point of the tub swap? Do you have outrageous body rot or something?

Edit again: Shoulda' done the gears when you did the 44 swap and ARB's

[plumber1]

I am in Castro Valley, near Hayward, Oakland. My only reason for the tub swap was to look for a 6 cyl. that has possible body damage, and just swap out my dana 44 rear and OBA and many other things without starting out all over again. Thanks I will check for prices for gears, thanks for the offer.

[ogclew]

what if you have a 2.5 and went with 32 inch tires. I know its been covered, but the search button needs to be upgraded. So that one can type in "4.88/33inch tires" and all threads having to do with that would come up. That would be cool, like yotatech's site. Does anybody run 32 inch tires/2.5L/what gears do you use? Its a dd vehicle, with medium trails