What gear ratio for 97 TJ 2.5 automatic with 33s?

[Preston kott]

New to Jeeps
I Just bought a 97 tj with the 2.5 Dana 30 and 35 with 373 gears. It’s an automatic and It currently has 33’s. I’m wanting to stick with 33’s but wanting a little more acceleration and help on the interstate. Don’t know the rpm’s but I can get to 75-80 mph just takes awhile. I will be using it for city, highway, and hunting. No major off-roading. One shop is telling me 456 because 488 is too much. The other is telling me that I need the 488 to basically bring it back to stock and 513 will take a lot more work and will cost a lot more. Can someone help me out

 

[Chris]

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

I'd go with 4.56.

Your 30RH is a 3-speed automatic, which doesn't require nearly as deep of a gear ratio as the 42RLE 4-speed automatic that came in the later model TJs. You could go with a 4.88 as well, but 5.13 is much too deep.

 

[Preston kott]

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

I'd go with 4.56.

Your 30RH is a 3-speed automatic, which doesn't require nearly as deep of a gear ratio as the 42RLE 4-speed automatic that came in the later model TJs. You could go with a 4.88 as well, but 5.13 is much too deep.

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

I'd go with 4.56.

Your 30RH is a 3-speed automatic, which doesn't require nearly as deep of a gear ratio as the 42RLE 4-speed automatic that came in the later model TJs. You could go with a 4.88 as well, but 5.13 is much too deep.

Thanks Chris
I’ve read a bunch of the forums and most all say 488 or 513 but most are all manual transmissions also.
Would the 456 put me basically back to stock and will the 488 be too much?
mans im gues that if I ever plan on jumping to 35’s I’d need the 488

 

[Rob5589]

4.56, stay away from 35's

 

[Chris]

Thanks Chris
I’ve read a bunch of the forums and most all say 488 or 513 but most are all manual transmissions also.
Would the 456 put me basically back to stock and will the 488 be too much?
mans im gues that if I ever plan on jumping to 35’s I’d need the 488

Listen to @Rob5589, he's done a lot of gears.

4.56 is going to put you back to stock basically. The 4.88 will be a bit too much, and 5.13 would make your highway traveling borderline unbearable.

Don't ever put 35s on your 2.5, ever. You'll regret that more than any decision you've ever made, unless you plan to never take it on the interstate.

33s is widely considered to be the maximum size one should run on the 4-cylinder TJs. The 4 bangers (even when geared properly) just won't be able to power the 35s. Your life will be miserable, I promise

If you're going to go with 35s, you'll want to just swap a V8 in there at that point

This only applies if you plan on driving it on-road and on the interstate. If it's off-road only, then you can run 35s all you want as you'll never need to sustain high speeds.

 

[Preston kott]

4.56, stay away from 35's

Thanks rob