What gear ratio should I get?

[swoosh23]

I know this has been posted before but every situation is different. Here are the Jeep's details.

2000 TJ
I6
3 spd Automatic
33" tires
Dana 30 / Dana 35 3.07

This is my daily driver in the summer and I drive on the highway to work. As for off road, I don't do it that often but would like the option to do it if I felt like it.

Here is my dilemma.. I hear not to regear the 35.. But I've heard some say for what I'm doing it would be fine. I'm confused!!

So here is where I am looking for help/opinions.. Do I regear the current set up (if so do I use 3.73 or 4.10?) or do I find a Dana 44 in 3.73 and regear the 30 to 3.73? A tech guy at east coast gear supply said that a 4.10 would be wound out driving 65-70 and that I should get a 3.73. I saw that Jerry Bransford said 4.10 so I'd like for him or another guru to chime in and help me feel confident in what to do.

I'm new to Jeeps so take it easy on me if I seem dumb.

Thanks guys!

 

[billiebob]

With the 3speed automatic, no overdrive, your pretty much exclusively pavement, commute, DD. I'd not go any deeper than 3.73.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I know this has been posted before but every situation is different. Here are the Jeep's details.

2000 TJ
I6
3 spd Automatic
33" tires
Dana 30 / Dana 35 3.07

This is my daily driver in the summer and I drive on the highway to work. As for off road, I don't do it that often but would like the option to do it if I felt like it.

Here is my dilemma.. I hear not to regear the 35.. But I've heard some say for what I'm doing it would be fine. I'm confused!!

So here is where I am looking for help/opinions.. Do I regear the current set up (if so do I use 3.73 or 4.10?) or do I find a Dana 44 in 3.73 and regear the 30 to 3.73? A tech guy at east coast gear supply said that a 4.10 would be wound out driving 65-70 and that I should get a 3.73. I saw that Jerry Bransford said 4.10 so I'd like for him or another guru to chime in and help me feel confident in what to do.

I'm new to Jeeps so take it easy on me if I seem dumb.

Thanks guys!

Having run a 32RH for years after converting to it from the AX-15 and driven it extensively on the highway and offroad and knowing its traits, I'll stick with my long-time recommendation of 4.10 for 33" tires. It's always better when driving a heavy vehicle (make no mistake, Wranglers are heavier than most cars) with the aerodynamics of a brick to be slightly overgeared than slightly undergeared.

And it's fine to regear the Dana 35 to run 33's, it does fine within reason with that size tire so long as you don't also install a locker into it. I ran 33's on the Dana 35 for several years on some pretty tough trails and it did fine... just make sure to not get stupid with the gas pedal and finesse things on the trails so the axle can survive for many years. So long as there's no locker present.

 

[swoosh23]

Thank for the information guys. I believe I will go 4.10.. I know my jeep has Trac-Lock.. Will that cause issues for regear?

 

[billiebob]

I ran 33's on the Dana 35 for several years on some pretty tough trails and it did fine... I just made sure to don't get stupid with the gas pedal, finesse on the trails will help it survive for many years. So long as there's no locker present.

This is key to off roading. Finesse. Easy on the skinny pedal. Tread lightly !! Any 4x4 can last a long time and be reliable if you remove the stupid factor.