View Full Version : Re gearing a Jeep (who is the go to shop for swapping gearing in axles)?
USMC88-93
09-23-2014, 18:08
Inquiring minds want to know.
newracer
09-23-2014, 18:35
crawlertech 4x4
crawlertech 4x4
X 2. I have some buddies that love em and they have a great rep.
I didn't even ask, what jeep. What size gears you going with?
mcantar18c
09-23-2014, 19:39
Josh at Crawlertech is good to go (if he's still there... been a while).
The guys down at Edge are good too.
ETA: HCP4x4 is also good. Never dealt with their shop but I've bought parts from them, they know their shit.
USMC88-93
09-23-2014, 19:46
I didn't even ask, what jeep. What size gears you going with?
More of a preliminary what if I do kind of thing I will call Crawlertech and discuss whether its worth it for my purposes.
2005 Unlimited Rubicon 6 speed manual with NSG-370 transmission and NV241 transfer case. 33 inch tires.
Has 4.11 from factory thinking about 4.56...................Towing in the mountains. In truth there is nothing "wrong" with it as is here in town it runs around fine here in town. All gears useful noo crazy RPM. As though the way they set it up from factory in the Rubicon presumed 33 inch tires. But towing something up and over through Esienhower the change from 4.11 to 4.56 might well be worth it. I can not see 4.88 as I will not be going to 35 inch tires.
Jeep is currently at ROKMEN Offroad getting the spring perches relocated but I am not sure of their gearing experience. I know they do their own rigs and others but it is not their advertized specialty.
newracer
09-23-2014, 20:52
Rokmen is also good to go. You will be paying a lot of money for not much change. If you tow and go to the mountains often I'd go 4.88.
USMC88-93
09-23-2014, 20:57
Rokmen is also good to go. You will be paying a lot of money for not much change. If you tow and go to the mountains often I'd go 4.88.
They have done all my other work: I guess I need to decide if "not much change" is worth it to me as I do not want to go to the other extreme of to much.
There is some give and take to it all, I presume that if I went to 4.88 I would end up with high RPM's at typical highway speeds. In other words would I end up with lower top speeds on the highway no more 75 is easy but would then be well over 3000 rpm?
rockhound
09-23-2014, 21:14
go see bill at western drivetrain in Aurora, gears and differentials is all they do
mcantar18c
09-23-2014, 21:31
Just my opinion, take it as you like, but...
If you aren't towing frequently, it's not worth it. It's not a cheap upgrade, it comes with long term costs in terms of increased fuel usage and engine wear due to increased RPMs, and you won't be able to hit the speeds you previously could. If you are towing frequently, invest in a tow rig... not a Jeep.
For wheeling though, it makes all the difference.
USMC88-93
09-23-2014, 21:37
For wheeling though, it makes all the difference.
If we were "just talking wheeling" would you also say 4.88?
mcantar18c
09-23-2014, 21:49
Absolutely... you'll probably want to jump to 35's though, although you really should anyway. I'm not saying you can't wheel without deep gears, but it's a much better experience with them... you're capable of much more.
USMC88-93
09-23-2014, 21:57
Absolutely... you'll probably want to jump to 35's though,
Unlikely if even from just a cost perspective. I might have at one point gone with Rokmens tube fenders and highligned everything but I am comfortable (and happy) on 33's and even now just have an OME short arm lift on it. Hell I still have the original bumper and plastic jugs on it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Jeep/Rokmenparts.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PhotoTWB/media/Jeep/Rokmenparts.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Jeep/Rokmenorder_zpsdbc3b542.png (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PhotoTWB/media/Jeep/Rokmenorder_zpsdbc3b542.png.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Jeep/2011-10-18111511.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PhotoTWB/media/Jeep/2011-10-18111511.jpg.html)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/PhotoTWB/Jeep/LefthandCanyon006.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/PhotoTWB/media/Jeep/LefthandCanyon006.jpg.html)
Great thread, I've been wondering about this a while too.
I have 37s on my 4.5in 2012 4-door. I got 4.10 gears from the factory which work great 90% of the time. But I-70 up/down the mountains is a huge pain, as it chokes near Vail pass / Eisenhower every time. I'm planning on 4.88 but am worried about highway use as I still drive it 80mph on the 470 quite a bit.
There's a guy in parker who is supposed to be cheap. But I've heard Crawlertech for a good (and expensive) job.
I've thought about trying a cold air intake first, since it would be a much cheaper upgrade. Just need a little bit more cool air to make it up and over the mountain.
mcantar18c
09-23-2014, 22:06
Unlikely if even from just a cost perspective. I might have at one point gone with Rokmens tube fenders and highligned everything but I am comfortable (and happy) on 33's and even now just have an OME short arm lift on it. Hell I still have the original bumper and plastic jugs on it.
Nothing wrong with that, if you're happy then you're happy.
Personally, I wouldn't run a Jeep on less than 35's in CO. I've done it before, and there are things that you simply cannot do on 33's. Some people don't have any desire to do those things, and that's fine, but to me it's worth the cost. I usually buy used tires though.
Again, my opinion is just that... my opinion.
Great thread, I've been wondering about this a while too.
I have 37s on my 4.5in 2012 4-door. I got 4.10 gears from the factory which work great 90% of the time. But I-70 up/down the mountains is a huge pain, as it chokes near Vail pass / Eisenhower every time. I'm planning on 4.88 but am worried about highway use as I still drive it 80mph on the 470 quite a bit.
There's a guy in parker who is supposed to be cheap. But I've heard Crawlertech for a good (and expensive) job.
I've thought about trying a cold air intake first, since it would be a much cheaper upgrade. Just need a little bit more cool air to make it up and over the mountain.
I wouldn't worry about 4.88's with 37's.
newracer
09-23-2014, 22:12
Great thread, I've been wondering about this a while too.
I have 37s on my 4.5in 2012 4-door. I got 4.10 gears from the factory which work great 90% of the time. But I-70 up/down the mountains is a huge pain, as it chokes near Vail pass / Eisenhower every time. I'm planning on 4.88 but am worried about highway use as I still drive it 80mph on the 470 quite a bit.
There's a guy in parker who is supposed to be cheap. But I've heard Crawlertech for a good (and expensive) job.
I've thought about trying a cold air intake first, since it would be a much cheaper upgrade. Just need a little bit more cool air to make it up and over the mountain.
You should go to 5.13.
USMC88-93
09-23-2014, 22:19
You should go to 5.13.
That link you posted on Jeepforum with the video of the Black Bear roll over is dead "too much traffic" is it posted elsewhere?
newracer
09-23-2014, 22:26
Not that I know of, I sent a PM to the guy on co4x4 that has the original. Hopefully he can upload it on youtube.
I've thought about trying a cold air intake first, since it would be a much cheaper upgrade. Just need a little bit more cool air to make it up and over the mountain.
Cold air intakes are a GREAT way to suck water into your motor while doing a water crossing or puddle jumping.
Jeffrey Lebowski
09-24-2014, 06:43
I have 37s on my 4.5in 2012 4-door…. as I still drive it 80mph on the 470 quite a bit.
Wow.
I could barely get my STOCK (2009) 4 door Rubicon up to 80mph on a flat road.
Wow.
I could barely get my STOCK (2009) 4 door Rubicon up to 80mph on a flat road.
The pentastar (2012+) engine really made a difference for the 4door. First time I drove it it was like night and day.
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Cold air intakes are a GREAT way to suck water into your motor while doing a water crossing or puddle jumping.
Yep, that's why I haven't pulled the trigger. Considered a snorkel even at one point as another option.
If I only knew someone else with a heavy 2012+ who also has a lead foot that had done the swap to 4.88s or 5.13s I would feel better. Hate to spend all that cash and end up with a jeep that won't keep up with freeway traffic, or lost several mpg at speed. I have no doubt wheeling and mountain driving will be better, but I still drive it a lot around town too.
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Jeffrey Lebowski
09-24-2014, 15:16
The pentastar (2012+) engine really made a difference for the 4door. First time I drove it it was like night and day.
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Mine was such a dud. Always in the damn shop. Bought it new with the "lifetime" powertrain warranty, which was worthless.
It makes me sick, it was my 6th consecutive jeep… and last. :( (Edit: And other than 2 CTDs which were "extra" cars, I'd only owned jeep to that point, excluding my wife's cars and even she had one at one point).
But I have many friends who had great luck with JKs.
newracer
09-24-2014, 15:36
My 07 JKU Rubicon has plenty of power but it is totally stock.
newracer
09-24-2014, 15:37
Yep, that's why I haven't pulled the trigger. Considered a snorkel even at one point as another option.
If I only knew someone else with a heavy 2012+ who also has a lead foot that had done the swap to 4.88s or 5.13s I would feel better. Hate to spend all that cash and end up with a jeep that won't keep up with freeway traffic, or lost several mpg at speed. I have no doubt wheeling and mountain driving will be better, but I still drive it a lot around town too.
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Maybe a programmer would give you the little extra you are looking for.
Maybe a programmer would give you the little extra you are looking for.
That's a good point. My lift kit came with an AEV procal that helped out the tuning and speedo, etc. quite a bit but I don't think it can do as much as a superchips or something. I should look into that.
Unless things are different, I don't think "chips" do much for naturally aspirated vehicles compared to boosted ones.
Jeffrey Lebowski
09-24-2014, 20:10
My 07 JKU Rubicon has plenty of power but it is totally stock.
All mine had were neoprene seat covers and quadrabling floor mats.
Edit: Admittedly I'd hop in it after driving around in a 1 ton diesel, but still.
It wasn't horrible. I had a 4 cyl (lifted, locked, etc) YJ with a 3sp auto. That was horrible in CO.
I didn't really get the complaints some folks had about them in the mtns, we took it and it was fine.
But getting up to 80 or going "fast?" No. It was a very underpowered, but average SUV-ish sort of car.
All mine had were neoprene seat covers and quadrabling floor mats.
Edit: Admittedly I'd hop in it after driving around in a 1 ton diesel, but still.
It wasn't horrible. I had a 4 cyl (lifted, locked, etc) YJ with a 3sp auto. That was horrible in CO.
I didn't really get the complaints some folks had about them in the mtns, we took it and it was fine.
But getting up to 80 or going "fast?" No. It was a very underpowered, but average SUV-ish sort of car.
Don't tell my wife but I hit 95mph eastbound on 470 tonight coming home when I had the music cranked and I wasn't paying too much attention. Glad I didn't meet my friend with the flashy lights. Even with the heavy 37s and 4.5" lift, it was stable. Not that I'd recommend driving stupid though. Darn that long-haired rock and roll music.
newracer
09-24-2014, 20:44
It was the seat covers.
I agree they are not great but I don't think they are as bad as most people say. They are basically a heavy brick on 4 wheels.
Jeffrey Lebowski
09-24-2014, 21:06
FWIW, my wife is really disappointed I sold that thing. [Dunno] It was always in the shop. EVERY time they had to reprogram it, they had to do it 2-3x, and we'd have to keep bringing it back. It would die on her, and I'd have to drive to go fetch her. That I blame as much on the dealer as the vehicle itself. It finally just threw its last code on me after she took it for the 50k tuneup (that it didn't need) and it went from running great to misfiring constantly.
Edit: The BEST thing I can say about it is it truly held value. Purchased new in 2009 for 28? 29? something. Sold this summer for $25 at a dealer trade-in, although it was immaculately clean. So we lost $1000 / year? (plus many hours in the shop….). That's almost like driving it for free.
It was the seat covers.
Yep, neoprene is unsprung weight, right? Each seat cover probably adds at least 500lbs of real weight to that beast. I agree, you were lucky to pull 80mph with the covers on.
Now if you had Molle-compatible Mall Ninja covers like I have, you'd be totally high-speed, low-drag like me. LOL.
rockhound
10-01-2014, 07:31
Unless things are different, I don't think "chips" do much for naturally aspirated vehicles compared to boosted ones.
take it in for a real live tuning on a dyno, a good dyno tuner can make a world of difference... there are several shops here in Denver metro that do live tuning.
Hotchef181818
10-01-2014, 20:24
Great thread, I've been wondering about this a while too.
I have 37s on my 4.5in 2012 4-door. I got 4.10 gears from the factory which work great 90% of the time. But I-70 up/down the mountains is a huge pain, as it chokes near Vail pass / Eisenhower every time. I'm planning on 4.88 but am worried about highway use as I still drive it 80mph on the 470 quite a bit.
There's a guy in parker who is supposed to be cheap. But I've heard Crawlertech for a good (and expensive) job.
I've thought about trying a cold air intake first, since it would be a much cheaper upgrade. Just need a little bit more cool air to make it up and over the mountain.
Guys name is josh, does a shit ton of re-gears. Good guy, good prices. He re geared my tj to 4.88 and it made a world of difference with 35" blue label bfg krawlers. If you're interested shoot me a pm and I'll find his contact info.
hurley842002
10-01-2014, 21:08
Guys name is josh, does a shit ton of re-gears. Good guy, good prices. He re geared my tj to 4.88 and it made a world of difference with 35" blue label bfg krawlers. If you're interested shoot me a pm and I'll find his contact info.
Josh is good to go, I can't recall what I bought from him, but I've dealt with him before. Pretty bad when you've made so many deals that you can't even remember.
Brother in law had his 2012 Rubicon done here; http://www.4wheelparts.com/stores/Store-Info.aspx?sNo=21
He worked with Zach who took great care of him, including follow-up visits to tweak some settings.
His Rubicon has a 3.5" Rock Krawler lift and he does some towing and was having issues with the 35s, so he had it re-geared. Ran around $1500.
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