Looking for opinions on re-gearing

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MPolston12

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Pleasant View, TN
Just recently purchased a 1997 Tj manual with the 2.5 4cylinder and I’m looking to lift it 4-6 inches with 35s on a 15” Mickey Thompson.
I know I’ll have to re gear so I’m just looking for opinions on what to do whether I should just get new axles or re gear?

It is a second vehicle so I don’t daily drive but like to take it around town and do a bit of off-roading with it!
 
MPolston12 said:
Just recently purchased a 1997 Tj manual with the 2.5 4cylinder and I’m looking to lift it 4-6 inches with 35s on a 15” Mickey Thompson.
I know I’ll have to re gear so I’m just looking for opinions on what to do whether I should just get new axles or re gear?

It is a second vehicle so I don’t daily drive but like to take it around town and do a bit of off-roading with it!
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For 35" tires you need a 4" suspension lift and 1.25" body lift. 6" of lift would be too high.

You have two options IMO for gearing with the 2.5 4 cyl. If you can afford them I'd get Dana 44 axles and run 5.38 gears or 9" housings and 9" or 10" 3rds with 5.41 or even lower ratios.
I had a 2.5 in my TJ prior to doing my V-8 swap and back then the lowest you could get was 4.88 for the 30/35 axles. With 33" tires I could use 5th gear again but then when I went to 35" tires 5th was worthless again.
So if you're keep the stock axles 5.13 is as low as you can go and IMO that really isn't low enough for 35" tires and the 2.5.
 
Wildman said:
For 35" tires you need a 4" suspension lift and 1.25" body lift. 6" of lift would be too high.

You have two options IMO for gearing with the 2.5 4 cyl. If you can afford them I'd get Dana 44 axles and run 5.38 gears or 9" housings and 9" or 10" 3rds with 5.41 or even lower ratios.
I had a 2.5 in my TJ prior to doing my V-8 swap and back then the lowest you could get was 4.88 for the 30/35 axles. With 33" tires I could use 5th gear again but then when I went to 35" tires 5th was worthless again.
So if you're keep the stock axles 5.13 is as low as you can go and IMO that really isn't low enough for 35" tires and the 2.5.
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About how much would the Dana 44 axles and the re gear for them cost?
 
Wildman said:
Aftermarket axles aren't CHEAP but you get a better axle than stock. Here are some examples.

https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/c-283493-complete-axle-assemblies-jeep-jeep-tj.html

https://www.currieenterprises.com/tj-lj-bolt-in-axle-packages

https://www.dynatrac.com/axle-assemblies/prorock-44-axle.html

You need to share what kind of budget you're looking at spending.
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I have about $5,000 set aside for it, so I was looking to get fairly good lift and hopefully find a deal on some tires on fb marketplace and then re gear
 
MPolston12 said:
I have about $5,000 set aside for it, so I was looking to get fairly good lift and hopefully find a deal on some tires on fb marketplace and then re gear
Click to expand...

$5k isn't gunna get you new axles that is for sure.

Do a regear and Super35 kit for the rear. And then something like a Savvy 4" lift & 1.25" body lift. As Chris said above regear costs vary but if you are paying a shop to do the work it again isn't inexpensive.
 
Wildman said:
$5k isn't gunna get you new axles that is for sure.

Do a regear and Super35 kit for the rear. And then something like a Savvy 4" lift & 1.25" body lift. As Chris said above regear costs vary but if you are paying a shop to do the work it again isn't inexpensive.
Click to expand...

Do you think I’d be better off running just the 4” lift with 33s and re gear to 5.3 and let it ride?
 
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MPolston12 said:
Do you think I’d be better off running just the 4” lift with 33s and re gear to 5.3 and let it ride?
Click to expand...

I wouldn’t run bigger than 33s even geared to 5.13s. I’d do the gearing and 33s at most if you want bigger tires.

That way u don’t have to spend $$$ on a S35 kit, lockers, and new axles…bc if you do that you could end up wanting a 4.0L swapped in. Before going this route I’d explore selling your rig for a different rig.
 
The people on here are top notch (along with a healthy dose of sarcasm at times). You will learn a lot here and they truly do want to help you out. Your dilemma is the size of your budget and the size tire you want to run. They are going to be difficult to work together. 33" tires are more in line with what you have (both money wise and Jeep wise). Gearing will not fix a lack of horsepower, it will help with the lack of torque, but in the end it is still a jeep with a 4 cylinder. The best way to save on the budget side of things is to learn to do the work yourself. Gearing is pretty in depth and requires a good bit of knowledge and mechanical know how. Good luck with what ever path you choose. And welcome!
 
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MPolston12 said:
Do you think I’d be better off running just the 4” lift with 33s and re gear to 5.3 and let it ride?
Click to expand...

As others have said yes 33" tires would be a better option. And yes I'd run 5.13 gears with the 33" tires.
You have a few options with this setup.
1) Just get a 4" suspension lift. You can find many quality products in this.

2) Do a 3" suspension lift and a 1.25" body lift. Again there are a lot of quality products that would work. The added benefit of the body lift is you can then get a motor mount 1" lift that tilts your drivetrain to help with driveline angle.
You'll also want a SYE for your transfer case.
And as has been said with 33" tires you don't need a Super35 then. Upgrade the rear shafts to 1541 shafts for a little extra strength and you're set.

Yes a 4cyl isn't a power house but it's also not as terrible as some claim. One thing is don't be afraid to rev the crap out of your engine. It will pull 5k RPM with no problem.
Keeping the rig as light as possible is the other key to owning a 4cyl. Aluminum bumpers and armor plus not carrying things you don't need help.
 
Wildman said:
As others have said yes 33" tires would be a better option. And yes I'd run 5.13 gears with the 33" tires.
You have a few options with this setup.
1) Just get a 4" suspension lift. You can find many quality products in this.

2) Do a 3" suspension lift and a 1.25" body lift. Again there are a lot of quality products that would work. The added benefit of the body lift is you can then get a motor mount 1" lift that tilts your drivetrain to help with driveline angle.
You'll also want a SYE for your transfer case.
And as has been said with 33" tires you don't need a Super35 then. Upgrade the rear shafts to 1541 shafts for a little extra strength and you're set.

Yes a 4cyl isn't a power house but it's also not as terrible as some claim. One thing is don't be afraid to rev the crap out of your engine. It will pull 5k RPM with no problem.
Keeping the rig as light as possible is the other key to owning a 4cyl. Aluminum bumpers and armor plus not carrying things you don't need help.
Click to expand...

Super helpful, thanks!
 
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