Jeep is a dog after new tires

[isaac2098]

I "had" a stock 06 LJ about 5 months ago but have since put on a 2.5" OME lift and 265/75/16 tires. It's hard to thing how zippy this thing once was because now I struggle to get up to 65 on the highway where a lot of my driving takes place. I always drive with Overdrive off now because it is ridiculously hard to get up to speed without using that feature. I know it has to do with gearing and believe I have the 4.56 ratio currently or whatever the stock ratio is for my year and model. I know nothing about gearing though so is there anything I can do here?

 

[L J]

I know it has to do with gearing and believe I have the 4.56 ratio currently or whatever the stock ratio is for my year and model.

I believe non-Rubicons are factory 3.73.

I know nothing about gearing though so is there anything I can do here?

You can regear. Depending on your market it can cost anywhere from $1100 to over $2000. Determine the biggest tire you'll ever run before you go down that road.

 

[Irun]

If it's a non-Rubicon, and hasn't been regeared, the stock ratio is 3.73. If you increased your tire size the only way to fix that problem, especially with a 42RLE, is to re-gear!

 

[Chris]

42RLE and bigger tires equals literal hell.

A factory 03-06 Rubicon with the stock 245 tires and the 42RLE with factory 4.10 gears still sucks balls. You just can't gear those 42RLEs deep enough. Re-gear (you're going to need to) and get used to turning the OD off every time you start the vehicle. That will make it much easier to live with.

 

[Vtx531]

I used to have 33-1250’s with 3 speed auto and 3.73 and never noticed a problem with the gearing. In fact, I think the gearing was pretty good for a highway cruiser (as good as a Jeep can be).

Is the 42rle that much different if you just keep the overdrive off?

265/75-16 is only about a 32” tire if my internet searching is correct

 

[isaac2098]

42RLE and bigger tires equals literal hell.

A factory 03-06 Rubicon with the stock 245 tires and the 42RLE with factory 4.10 gears still sucks balls. You just can't gear those 42RLEs deep enough. Re-gear (you're going to need to) and get used to turning the OD off every time you start the vehicle. That will make it much easier to live with.

So what do I regear to? And are you saying that even after regear I have to turn OD off?

 

[Irun]

I used to have 33-1250’s with 3 speed auto and 3.73 and never noticed a problem with the gearing. In fact, I think the gearing was pretty good for a highway cruiser (as good as a Jeep can be).

Is the 42rle that much different if you just keep the overdrive off?

The 1-3 gears are close between the 42RLE and the 32RH. It's the OD that takes the nose dive in performance!

42RLE: Four-speed automatic transmission was available from 2003 to 2006 Jeep TJ Wrangler with 4.0L engines. Gear Ratios: 1st Gear: 2.84:1, 2nd Gear: 1.57:1, 3rd Gear: 1.00:1, 4th Gear: .69:1

32RH: A three speed automatic transmission was used in 1992 to 1995 Wrangler with 4.0L engine and it continues to be used in 1997-2002 Wrangler with 4.0L engine. Gear Ratios: 1st Gear: 2.74:1, 2nd Gear: 1.54:1, 3rd Gear: 1:1, Reverse Gear: 2.03:1

 

[Chris]

So what do I regear to? And are you saying that even after regear I have to turn OD off?

See the chart here:

What gear ratio should I install in my Jeep Wrangler TJ / LJ? (and other re-gearing FAQs)

Yes, even after you re-gear, ALWAYS turn the OD off anytime you start the vehicle. Get in this habit and I promise you you'll be happy you did... I promise.

 

[Vtx531]

Did you reconfigure your speedometer? I don’t know about the 4 speed - I think it is electronic?

If not, and you are trying to get accelerate to 70mph on the speedometer, you are actually doing about 75mph (assuming it came stock with 30” tires). So that might make it seem slower because it is takes longer to get up to 75mph and more power.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Even though I wanted a manual I test drove a Unlimited Rubicon with the auto and 33's. The struggle is real! That thing was horrible, needed gearing.

 

[AndyG]

Yes, even after you re-gear, ALWAYS turn the OD off anytime you start the vehicle. Get in this habit and I promise you you'll be happy you did... I promise.

Great post.

We , meaning you smart guys, need to figure out how to make the default setting off and then switch on for that 1 percent of the time we need it.

The ol' 42's overdrive is crazy....it's actually a pretty good tranny, ratio wise , with it off.

 

[Chris]

Great post.

We , meaning you smart guys, need to figure out how to make the default setting off and then switch on for that 1 percent of the time we need it.

The ol' 42's overdrive is crazy....it's actually a pretty good tranny, ratio wise , with it off.

I’ve looked into it, and unfortunately there is no way to make the default setting off. I suspect if there was, @mrblaine would have done it by now.

 

[AndyG]

I’ve looked into it, and unfortunately there is no way to make the default setting off. I suspect if there was, @mrblaine would have done it by now.

I like the switch on the shifter a member posted. We need to bump @Jamison C too. Gotta be something we can do...I’ll bump my buddy who runs a tranny shop.

 

[isaac2098]

I’d be interested in hearing if there is a way to default it. In the meantime, I’ll just stick to getting use to manually shutting it off.

 

[Joeinnewjersey]

How does the OD feature being off improve things? I have a stock tj, should I also be turning it off?