32.96 VS. 51.82 Crawl Ratio

Hybrid Jeep · 04-18-2009, 04:37 PM

Hey guys.. I have a Wide Ratio 6.32 T18 out of a Wagoneer.. and a CJ T18 with the 4.02 first gear.

Is it worth the trouble to purchase the Short Shaft Kit? With the standard CJ T18 I would have 32.96 as my crawl ratio and with the short shafted Wagoneer T18 I would have 51.82.

In a way I would just like to throw this CJ T18 in and save me the trouble of rebuilding the Wagoneer T18.

What do you think?

ken78cj5 · 04-18-2009, 07:25 PM

I would definately go with the lower gear waggy T-18.

I have the 6.32 T18, 4.56 gears and am planning on the terra low gear set for my Model 20. This will give me a crawl ration of almost 87:1

JeepnBlake · 04-19-2009, 12:02 AM

it would be nice if you had something to compare it to, so you get a "real world feel" for crawl ratios

2006 stock rubicon has a crawl ratio of 73.32, (low range 4.0, first gear 4.46, axles 4.11, 31s)

1999 sahara on 31's has a crawl ratio of 31.86 (low range 2.71, first gear 3.83, axles 3.07, 31's)

my fathers present and previous jeeps respectively

the sahara had some "stutter" when you would try to "lug" the motor, and the rubicon doesn't miss a beat

if it was me i would compare prices for the terra low for your t case (Dana 20 i'm assuming?)

http://www.teraflex.biz/products/low20-manual.html

and regearing your axles. i personally want to do the terra low in my Dana 20 so that way you don't lose anything as far as highway gearing being as high is still 1:1 the down side to the terra low is obviously the cost close to 1k and i can't swing that so i'll probably regear axles and call it a day.

the short shaft kit from parts mike is $200 bucks which is definitely more appealing

here is something else to help you decide

http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/project-cj7/Teralow-Dana20-project-cj7.htm

http://forums.off-road.com/jeep-short-wheelbase/197303-t-18-short-shaft-c-onversion.html

**foggybottombob** · 04-19-2009, 09:21 AM

For rock crawling a crawl ratio of 33 is nowhere close to low enough. I had a crawl ratio of 43 or so and I had to stop constantly to let people in front of me get out of the way. Mine is now about 66 so I hope to have a better wheeling summer this year. I live in Monument just up the highway from COS.

**Rezneck** · 04-19-2009, 09:27 AM

Can't you swap the gears or shafts(which ever is easiest) around in the trannies you already have to get to a short shaft wide ratio t-18? Then you're out, what, a rebuiltd kit?

Hybrid Jeep · 04-19-2009, 12:31 PM

I already had the idea to swap out the internals.. however.. apparently the 4.02 and 6.32 input shafts have different teeth count.

Foggybottom.. looks like I'll HAVE to do the short shaft kit to give me a crawl ratio of at least 51.82... as you know.. Colorado wheeling is almost all rocks.

Then.. if even that is not low enough I'll be forced to do the Terralow kit

JavaTee · 04-19-2009, 01:26 PM

Take the time and do the short shaft for a lower crawl ratio. When I changed my CJ over from a T-150/D20 combo (23 to 1) to a NP435/D300 (62 to 1). It was such a drastic makeover, it created an enjoyable time in the Jeep not to launch over obstacles anymore, or the need to ride the clutch. It was worth every penny, and bead of sweat to make it happen.
Later, T.J.

**BESRK** · 04-19-2009, 03:39 PM

My CJ5 has about a 57:1 low range with 33s and I'd still like to get a bit lower in the rocks. It's not bad.. but I'd like to get a bit steeper so I could idle up stuff a bit easier.

Since most of your wheeling is rocks... I definately choose the granny gear. Then toss in a Teralow when the funding is available.