Doing some calculations on gearing and tire size for upcoming upgrades to the TJ. A some of you know, I drive a pretty nice, stock, 1999 SE. It has the AX-5 and stock 4.10 gear ratio. Looking at 265/75R16 tires at 660 revs per mile.
Anyway, when I plugged the tires that I was looking at into the spreadsheet, the first ratio that I looked at was 4.88. Looked good, and looking at the 4.56 and 5.13 gear ratios didn't change my mind on the 4.88's. Then I went out and re-priced the axle upgrades. OK, that's not horrible I thinks to myself, realizing that wheels, tires, Truetracs and gears plus gear install isn't going to happen all at once. That's just not in the budget right now. So back to the spreadsheet to plug in my stock 4.10 gear ratio. Miserable! Handily converted my 5 speed TJ into an under powered 3-speed.
The question is: Just how miserable is it to drive an SE around on 32" tires and 4.10 gears for six months? If it's going to make me wail and gnash my teeth, I just may do the gears before the tires and wheels. Driving around on 27" tires and 4.88 gears HAS to be a lesser pain in the ass than 32" tires and 4.10 gears with a 4-banger. Right?
Edited to add: Ran the 27" tires and 4.88 gears through the calculator and yes, that is a huge reduction in pain vs. the 32" tires and 4.10 gears. Actually quit livable for the driving that I do. Plus I get to play with the limited slip(s) sooner. Answered my own question, but I would still like to hear from the crew from someone who has actually played with these setups.
Anyway, when I plugged the tires that I was looking at into the spreadsheet, the first ratio that I looked at was 4.88. Looked good, and looking at the 4.56 and 5.13 gear ratios didn't change my mind on the 4.88's. Then I went out and re-priced the axle upgrades. OK, that's not horrible I thinks to myself, realizing that wheels, tires, Truetracs and gears plus gear install isn't going to happen all at once. That's just not in the budget right now. So back to the spreadsheet to plug in my stock 4.10 gear ratio. Miserable! Handily converted my 5 speed TJ into an under powered 3-speed.
The question is: Just how miserable is it to drive an SE around on 32" tires and 4.10 gears for six months? If it's going to make me wail and gnash my teeth, I just may do the gears before the tires and wheels. Driving around on 27" tires and 4.88 gears HAS to be a lesser pain in the ass than 32" tires and 4.10 gears with a 4-banger. Right?
Edited to add: Ran the 27" tires and 4.88 gears through the calculator and yes, that is a huge reduction in pain vs. the 32" tires and 4.10 gears. Actually quit livable for the driving that I do. Plus I get to play with the limited slip(s) sooner. Answered my own question, but I would still like to hear from the crew from someone who has actually played with these setups.
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