First off, my apologies for 'another re-gearing thread', but while I've read a number of threads on the topic and taken in a ton of great info and perspective on what would be the ideal choice for my TJ if I were to re-gear, my question is, do I really need to in order to prevent unnecessary wear on the transmission and what could happen if I don't?
My TJ has the 4.0, with the 42RLE transmission and 3.73 gearing. The Jeep is a weekend fun vehicle; driven 75% of the time on the road and the rest in mild to moderate off-roading. I may consider lockers at some point in the future, but want to keep it 'stock-ish' - simple and capable. I'm on 31s and won't ever go larger; maybe 32's simply to fill out the wheel wells a bit more when the current tires are ready to be replaced, but that's it.
I keep the overdrive disengaged virtually 100% of the time (thanks to all those who suggested this little trick), and I'm fine with the acceleration as it is now...after all, it's a Jeep, not a sports car. So my question is, will continuing to follow the practice of operating without overdrive do any harm to the transmission in the long run?
My TJ has the 4.0, with the 42RLE transmission and 3.73 gearing. The Jeep is a weekend fun vehicle; driven 75% of the time on the road and the rest in mild to moderate off-roading. I may consider lockers at some point in the future, but want to keep it 'stock-ish' - simple and capable. I'm on 31s and won't ever go larger; maybe 32's simply to fill out the wheel wells a bit more when the current tires are ready to be replaced, but that's it.
I keep the overdrive disengaged virtually 100% of the time (thanks to all those who suggested this little trick), and I'm fine with the acceleration as it is now...after all, it's a Jeep, not a sports car. So my question is, will continuing to follow the practice of operating without overdrive do any harm to the transmission in the long run?