3.73's too high

I am getting pretty close to getting my jeep back on the road. I have done a 3 inch lift and put on 33 inch tires. i have :v6: t86 dana18 combo and 3.73s. i was crunching some numbers with regards to rpm and speed. i found out that in high and first gear at read line about 5000 i will be around 45. in second should be 80 and third close to 140. the first gear kinda scares me. my question is how bad will it be. i haven't driven it with this set up Im just wondering if it will have some bogging issues, like not having lots of power because of the gear ratios. i did do quite a bit of mods to the :v6: . what do you all think?
freeway would be good 2500 for 65mph. buout my crawl ratio is about 25....

thanks. and would it be easiest to change gears or tranny?

 

Re: 3.73's to high

I would say changing entire axles or the tranny would be easier, but that's just me and my fear of setting up axles. Rolling chassis prices can be very cheap and come along often enough.

I think I would go for a 4 spd swap if I were you. If you swap to 4.88's or 5.38's you'll be a bit highway limited without also adding an overdrive.

 

Re: 3.73's to high

T-98 or T-18 swap, terra low gears in the t-case. Will give you respectable crawl and not affect your highway performance at all.

 

Re: 3.73's to high

cool thanks guys. ill see how i like it once i drive it. then ill determine the first up grade. thanks for the quick responses.

 

Re: 3.73's to high

That would be easiest. The cost of the gear set just scares me, and you basically end up where 4.88's get you.


Just curious, why is swapping axles on the bottom? You saying it limits all-around drive-ability or just too much work? (I am assuming the "new" axles are in decent shape, and not already modified)

 

Re: 3.73's to high

Regearing the axles isn't as scary as it seems. If you do your research and take your time, you'd be able to (with the proper tools) put new gears in your jeep by yourself.

Heck once you do it, you'll realize it's not as dark a secret as everyone makes it out to be. it's actually even fun!

 

Re: 3.73's to high

Our 67 has 3:73, T14 and v6 and It screams! It only has 27" tires and we can do a one wheel burn out for a 100 feet in second! Not that we do. Has crappy crawl ratio, can hardly use it off road which is what we use it for. with 33's it would suck! for on road, I can't say because ours hasn't been for years

 

Re: 3.73's to high

I won't go as far as saying it is fun as the parts really push the envelope of my lifting capability. But it certainly isn't that hard. Follow the directions. Get a decent starting point from existing and read the patterns adjust accordingly. The pattern and the available pattern guides tell exactly what to do to correct.

 

Re: 3.73's to high

I started with the 3.73s but they really aren't meant for and don't work that well with 33" tires. I reasoned that I had to go into the axles to put in the lockers so. . . . I went ahead and switched to the 4.10s. I find it to be almost perfect. In fact the speedometer is right on. If I had to do it over I would go with the 4.27s but now we're splitting hairs. IMO 4.88s are a bit low unless you're in to rock crawling.

Those low gear kits for the t-case are really expensive and your gearing would still be too high when you're in hi range which is most of the time.

 

Re: 3.73's to high

thanks again sparky. i am just thinking to hard. i need to get it on the road then evaluate. thanks

 

Re: 3.73's to high

I hear ya Sparky. I was really saying that overall we spend more time in high range - like going to the store or school or to the trail head.

 

Re: 3.73's to high

for our type of terrain, deserts and mountains, you would be better off with lower axle gears
4.27 or 4.88
that's my opinion
also, I've only known low gears all my life...
I might be biased on the subject