Help with buying a 99 wrangler.

copperz · 05-09-2006, 12:38 AM

I am looking at this wrangler and the guy who is selling it states that its got a high perf exhaust, jet chip, 486 gears and the speedo is accurate with the 33" tires. Gets around 15 mpg driving 55-60mph.

Now I have a few questions:

Does 15mpg sound right on 33” tires and its 4 banger?

Jet chip I think that you have to put higher octane fuel with the chip. Also need an intake and a thermostat change??

What are 486 gears?

**Poor Boy** · 05-09-2006, 03:06 AM

it depends on which chip is in there. i think the stage two runs premium fuel, but not the stage one (Jet)
15 mpg might be about right. automatic? manual? how heavy is his foot?
the 4.86 gears help turn the larger tires without bogging down the engine. 4.86 may be a bit much for 33's....there are charts out there that help determine what gearing you need for different tire sizes. run a search on here...

**SteelBlueTJ** · 05-09-2006, 09:05 AM

never heard of 4.86 gears for a TJ. Its probably 4.56 and not 4.86

**Poor Boy** · 05-09-2006, 09:46 AM

yeah, steelblue is right. they did just start with 4.88's though...

copperz · 05-09-2006, 10:33 AM

i have no idea but thats what the guy said. How do i see what the gears really are?
Aslo it a stick and 15mpg is on the freeway going 55-60mph.

JeepJohnson · 05-09-2006, 11:08 AM

15 sounds about right for a 4 banger w/33s. Hopefully it's 4.88 gears as these are much closer to the stock ratio w/33s, but since you never drove it stock 4.56 would probably be livable.

copperz · 05-09-2006, 01:13 PM

sorry im new to the regearing stuff. i dont know any of what you just said..

**Wheelin98TJ** · 05-09-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copperz

sorry im new to the regearing stuff. i dont know any of what you just said..

Most 4 bangers have 4.10 gears stock.

Once you increase the tire size, it effectively reduces your final drive ratio. So to compensate, you need lower (higher numerically) gears.

Think of it like a 10 speed bike. If you try to take off in the wrong gear, its really hard to pedal. So you switch to a lower gear and it pedals much easier.

Same thing with a Jeep. You have to match the gear ratio with the tire size. If you don't, it will struggle to accelerate and the low end power will be seriously impaired.

Scotch740 · 05-09-2006, 01:26 PM

To check the gears jack the rear end up. turn the tire one full turn, and count how many times the DS spins. 4.56 times you have 4:56 gears, 4.88 times and 4:88 gears. put a mark on the saft to help keep place.

If your mark on the D shaft starts at the top of the shaft it will stop almost at almost 3/4 between the 6 o-clock and 7 o-clock points 4.88 will stop almost at 11 o-clock after the DS revolves 4 times. (with one full spin of the tires).

copperz · 05-09-2006, 01:27 PM

thanks,
where are they located and how do you change them?

do the 4.86 gears sound right for the 33" tires.

**Wheelin98TJ** · 05-09-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copperz

thanks,
where are they located and how do you change them?

do the 4.86 gears sound right for the 33" tires.

They're inside the axle housing where the differential is. Its the fat part in the center on the rear axle and offset to the drivers side on the front axle.

Swapping gears is a difficult job best left to people with experience. The tolerances are very small and the slightest error can destroy alot of parts.

4.88 is the best choice for a 4 cyl with 33" tires.

copperz · 05-09-2006, 01:38 PM

Well here is the deal, im taking of the 33" and and putting stock ons anddriving from MN to IL. I assume that I can do that with out a problem...
Also where does on go to get the gears redone. And how much is it?

**Wheelin98TJ** · 05-09-2006, 01:45 PM

It will be okay, but you'll be running really high RPMs with those smaller tires. Why do you want to run stock sized tires?

Regearing runs anywhere from $200/axle on up for just labor. Parts will add another $300/axle. So you're looking at about $1,000+ for both axles.

You'll have to call around to find a qualified shop. Not everyone can do this work reliably. If possible, get some input from locals. Maybe a more local forum could provide some feedback. Or even a local 4x4 club. Those guys should know who can do gears.

urbanassault · 05-09-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wheelin98TJ

It will be okay, but you'll be running really high RPMs with those smaller tires. Why do you want to run stock sized tires?

Regearing runs anywhere from $200/axle on up for just labor. Parts will add another $300/axle. So you're looking at about $1,000+ for both axles.

You'll have to call around to find a qualified shop. Not everyone can do this work reliably. If possible, get some input from locals. Maybe a more local forum could provide some feedback. Or even a local 4x4 club. Those guys should know who can do gears.

$200 is damn cheep labor for a r&p swap. I haven't seen anyone even near $300 an axle, here in Dallas.

copperz · 05-09-2006, 02:14 PM

well i dont want to drive about 550 miles on 33" its loud and i thought i can save on gas with out them on. + in the winter i want to do some plowing and i know that mud tires wont be good in the snow. What should i do about this?

05-09-2006, 01:27 PM	#10
copperz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 41 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	thanks, where are they located and how do you change them? do the 4.86 gears sound right for the 33" tires. __________________ 1993 Wrangler With snow plow Now SOLD! 1999 Wrangler Now SOLD!

05-09-2006, 01:38 PM	#12
copperz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 41 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Well here is the deal, im taking of the 33" and and putting stock ons anddriving from MN to IL. I assume that I can do that with out a problem... Also where does on go to get the gears redone. And how much is it? __________________ 1993 Wrangler With snow plow Now SOLD! 1999 Wrangler Now SOLD!

05-09-2006, 02:14 PM	#15
copperz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 41 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	well i dont want to drive about 550 miles on 33" its loud and i thought i can save on gas with out them on. + in the winter i want to do some plowing and i know that mud tires wont be good in the snow. What should i do about this? __________________ 1993 Wrangler With snow plow Now SOLD! 1999 Wrangler Now SOLD!

05-09-2006, 10:33 AM	#5
copperz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 41 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	i have no idea but thats what the guy said. How do i see what the gears really are? Aslo it a stick and 15mpg is on the freeway going 55-60mph.

05-09-2006, 01:13 PM	#7
copperz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Libertyville, IL Posts: 41 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	sorry im new to the regearing stuff. i dont know any of what you just said..