At 130k miles, our 2003 TJ (Oreo) is due for some differential work. I’m a novice on gear ratios - hoping for some good recommendation -
Oreo has the 4.0l I6, 42RLE tranny, lockup torque converter LSD differential, running stock wheels and tires (P225/75R15’s @ 28.3” diameter). Stock gearing is currently 3.73. Use is as a daily driver/mall crawler/toad (we tow behind our MoHo). Being retired, we just use to cat around town.
We live in the flat part of Texas with occasional trips to the Hill Country, and Colorado, and Florida.
Have had one shop recommend moving to 4.10 gear ”as 3.73’s are getting harder to find”. I know the rear needs to be retired as she whines, and after a 10 mile highway drive, she sounds like she’s crunching teeth. I did buy and have sitting in the driveway a used 3.73 from a ‘97 that I also have all the parts needed to upgrade to ABS (me likes my ABS). I just haven’t had time to “do the swap”.
Front needs new shaft seals/u-joints, and very likely all 4 ball joints as the chamber is 1/2 degree out on passenger side. Possibly track bars as well (stabilizer replaced 3 years ago).
Looking for recommendations from those smarter than I when it comes specifically to TJ’s and the drive train set-up under the hood. She’s lived in the Texas/Oklahoma region all her life so she’s a good solid bucket - and considering what a newer used one would cost - I think I can do the work and still be ahead in $.
TIA!
Oreo has the 4.0l I6, 42RLE tranny, lockup torque converter LSD differential, running stock wheels and tires (P225/75R15’s @ 28.3” diameter). Stock gearing is currently 3.73. Use is as a daily driver/mall crawler/toad (we tow behind our MoHo). Being retired, we just use to cat around town.
We live in the flat part of Texas with occasional trips to the Hill Country, and Colorado, and Florida.
Have had one shop recommend moving to 4.10 gear ”as 3.73’s are getting harder to find”. I know the rear needs to be retired as she whines, and after a 10 mile highway drive, she sounds like she’s crunching teeth. I did buy and have sitting in the driveway a used 3.73 from a ‘97 that I also have all the parts needed to upgrade to ABS (me likes my ABS). I just haven’t had time to “do the swap”.
Front needs new shaft seals/u-joints, and very likely all 4 ball joints as the chamber is 1/2 degree out on passenger side. Possibly track bars as well (stabilizer replaced 3 years ago).
Looking for recommendations from those smarter than I when it comes specifically to TJ’s and the drive train set-up under the hood. She’s lived in the Texas/Oklahoma region all her life so she’s a good solid bucket - and considering what a newer used one would cost - I think I can do the work and still be ahead in $.
TIA!