Question on gears, etc

[EekGirl96]

So since I trust all of your guy's/and gals opinions/advice more than all of the other forums im on I have a question(well a couple of questions)


Ok so Ive been having a hard time tying to decide what gearing I should do in my Jeep. Im running 33's and plan on keeping the 33's for a long time. She is my DD, so she see's alot of highway time but she is also my offroad/trail/weekend rig. Ive been debating between 4.10s and 4.56s...which one should I go with?

Searching for gears Ive come across the G2 gears...anyone have any experience with them, good or bad? I like to get a first hand experience from someone who has or who is currently running with these gears. I know theyre relatively inexpensive(running for both front and rear less than $500) which is why I like them but I dont want to get them and have them break on me.


Last question...I may have asked this one in another post but I cant remember. I have a 96 Cherokee with a Chrysler 8.25 and since im lazy and dont want to crack open my diff to figure it out Ive decided to ask you guys lol. What spline count would my 8.25 have? 27 or 29?


Thanks soo much :)

[prerunner1982]

4.10s will get you back to about where you were stock which is good for a DD, however the 4.56s will give you more low end torque which is better for off road. It is really up to you, a bit better MPG for DD or a bit more torque/power to the ground for off roading. I believe you probably have 3.55 gears stock.

tire size/ gear calculator: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.html

As far as spline count goes, when was your 96 built? Early 96 had 27 spline and late 96 had 29 spline. If you are in the middle then I have no idea.

I have no experience with G2 gears so can't help here.

[EekGirl96]

Thanks, the MPGs arent an issue(depending on how much itll vary). How can I tell if its an early or late model 96?

Lol why do Cherokees have to be so complicated!

[denverd1]

stock should be 3.55. go 4.56 if you're going to mess with it IMO. If you plan to have them installed, it could easily top $1000. 33's and 4.56 is a good match and would give you the ability to go to 35 if you ever did, plus good to great torque. with 4.10 you're basically stuck at 33.

quick search on those gears turns up happy JK owners who have run them for a while:
http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37447

[EekGirl96]

Itll be installed in my garage. I dont plan on going to 35's or anything higher than 33's on this jeep(if I get another one id buld her up)

[JeepinOutfitters]

Personally I wouldn't consider anything less than 4.56. When I had 33s and 4.56 there were often times, on the highway, I was wishing for 4.88s.

Edit: as an FYI, you'll need a new carrier or a full case locker for your D30 to go from 3.55 to 4.56. You're good to go with the 8.25 though, no need for a new carrier when regearing that one. G2 are perfectly good gears.

[EekGirl96]

really now? why is that?

[OrangeXJ]

go with 4:56 you can get the gears f/r for about 400 bucks but keep in mind you will need the install kit and maybe diffrent carriers. we are doing this to my son's xj and it's going to coast around 1300

[EekGirl96]

go with 4:56 you can get the gears f/r for about 400 bucks but keep in mind you will need the install kit and maybe diffrent carriers. we are doing this to my son's xj and it's going to coast around 1300

Hm ok, thanks for letting me know!

[JeepinOutfitters]

really now? why is that?

To get higher RPMs for more power to maintain speed.

[EekGirl96]

To get higher RPMs for more power to maintain speed.

Ok thanks! You all are helping me out alot

[bluedragon436]

I was kind of wondering on this same setup... I've been considering doing the same swap once I get the money in.. and was stuck wondering which would be better for me to look into going to between 4.10's and 4.56's... I don't plan on going any larger than 33's on my XJ.. so I won't have to worry about that being a factor... but from everything I've read... the 4.56's would be just fine even with only going to 33's

[JeepinOutfitters]

I was kind of wondering on this same setup... I've been considering doing the same swap once I get the money in.. and was stuck wondering which would be better for me to look into going to between 4.10's and 4.56's... I don't plan on going any larger than 33's on my XJ.. so I won't have to worry about that being a factor... but from everything I've read... the 4.56's would be just fine even with only going to 33's

With an auto, you'll definitely want/need 4.56s to go with 33s.

[EekGirl96]

I was kind of wondering on this same setup... I've been considering doing the same swap once I get the money in.. and was stuck wondering which would be better for me to look into going to between 4.10's and 4.56's... I don't plan on going any larger than 33's on my XJ.. so I won't have to worry about that being a factor... but from everything I've read... the 4.56's would be just fine even with only going to 33's

See, I was thinking of you when I posted this thread ;)

[EekGirl96]

Ok, now...anyone have any experience with G2 gears? Or any gears you could recommend that arent priced too high but are good.

[OrangeXJ]

I was kind of wondering on this same setup... I've been considering doing the same swap once I get the money in.. and was stuck wondering which would be better for me to look into going to between 4.10's and 4.56's... I don't plan on going any larger than 33's on my XJ.. so I won't have to worry about that being a factor... but from everything I've read... the 4.56's would be just fine even with only going to 33's

The 4:56 will work fine up to 35's after that you would want to go to 4:88. I have 4:88 with 37's the only problem I have is over 60 I'm running over 3K rpm. It will do 70 but it's working it's ass off

[bluedragon436]

Yeah thanks for that!! LOL.. I've actually been looking at the gear packages from RC (http://www.roughcountry.com/gears/jeep-xj.html) and from East Coast Gear Supply (http://eastcoastgearsupply.com/).. I like the package through RC because it is everything needed for the install for $479.. Now I just have to spend $1200 to get it installed.. Now just to find a shop that I can trust to do the install..

[EekGirl96]

Do you have a link to the complete rc kit?

Oh and its a no prob :) lol

[4.3LXJ]

Amber, yes you will need a new carrier, or locker if you prefer for the front. All the Spicer/Dana axles are that way. They save money on ring gear thickness that way. The smaller the pinion in the numerically higher ranges the thicker the ring gear has to be to compensate. I have heard of spacers to compensate, but wouldn't really recommend that. Is it more trail power you are looking for? If so, you will gain much more for those rocks you have in AZ by changing your tcase ratio instead, and maybe money ahead in the end. Having an Atlas 4 speed in mine, I have experienced the 2.7 vs the 3.8 ratio many times. There is quite a difference. If you think about this, if you get a 4:1 conversion or come up with a 242 tcase, you will get the equivalent of a 33% gear reduction ratio, or right at the 4.56 ratio. Just a thought to ponder. But yes 4.56 for what you want. The best way to check the axle ratio is to pull an axle, which doesn't take long if you have a slide hammer available.

[JeepinOutfitters]

Itll be installed in my garage. I dont plan on going to 35's or anything higher than 33's on this jeep(if I get another one id buld her up)

Have you done anything similar to setting up ring & pinions before? And are you getting someone with experience doing that to help you? While it's not super hard, it is somewhat technical and requires some rather specific tools -- beam or dial style in-lb torque wrench (not the click style), dial indicator w/magnetic base, calipers with .001" accuracy, bearing puller, and a shop press (along with your usual assortment of sockets, wrenches, and ft-lb torque wrench).

This is an excellent write-up on setting up ring & pinions: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Gear_Setup/

[EekGirl96]

Ive done the front locker in my jeep(so yes i already have a front locker, going to get a rear once i get the gears) yes i have plenty of friends who have installed gears before and a mechanic for a boyfriend lol

[JeepinOutfitters]

Ive done the front locker in my jeep(so yes i already have a front locker, going to get a rear once i get the gears) yes i have plenty of friends who have installed gears before and a mechanic for a boyfriend lol

:thumbsup:

[EekGirl96]

Thanks for the link and thanks for making me ponder even more lol

[bluedragon436]

Do you have a link to the complete rc kit?

Oh and its a no prob :) lol

The link is in my message above, if you hit the RC in the message.. I've actually been looking at the setup from Rusty's (http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-driveline-driveshaft/jeep-ring-pinions?cat=443&p=2) as well which is a bit cheaper even than RC.

[EekGirl96]

Oh, im on my phone so its not working properly but thanks! Yeah Tony, i believe, sent me a link for a bundle gear set for my front and rear but it was for 4 10s

(it was the rc kit as well)

[bluedragon436]

On that same link you can specify the ratio that you want... if it is for RC that is..

4.10 Gear Setup (http://www.roughcountry.com/gears/jeep-xj-gear-package_30HP8410M.html)
4.56 Gear Setup (http://www.roughcountry.com/gears/jeep-xj-gear-package_30HP8456M.html)

[EekGirl96]

Also, what would my rpms be at 65mph with 33s

[bluedragon436]

Also, what would my rpms be at 65mph with 33s

I'm assuming you mean with each gear ratio?? According to the gear ratio chart I have been using which can be found here (http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-tires/tire-gear-ratio-chart.htm).. the results are as follows:

4.10: 2720rpm
4.56: 3018rpm

The above rpm's are what makes me look more towards 4.10's, just due to me knowing I'm not going any higher than 33's, I don't really tow anything too heavy with the XJ (lawn mowers and Jet ski's at most).. So to keep my RPM's down, thus keeping me decent on gas, I think 4.10's would be my best bet.. If I was using my XJ for more towing or even more trails and every now and again on the street.. I think 4.56's would be perfect... but I think for my DD use and every now and again trails... 4.10's will be the best bet for me..

I mean since you actually have some awesome and technical wheeling there Amber... you might be better off with the 4.56's... but I think for what I have available to me I'll be sticking with the 4.10's...

[Mudderoy]

The link is in my message above, if you hit the RC in the message.. I've actually been looking at the setup from Rusty's (http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-driveline-driveshaft/jeep-ring-pinions?cat=443&p=2) as well which is a bit cheaper even than RC.

Add in the shipping, this is why I didn't buy my gears from Rusty, but that was 4+ years ago.

[bluedragon436]

Add in the shipping, this is why I didn't buy my gears from Rusty, but that was 4+ years ago.

Yeah I kind of started thinking about that part.... which is why I think when it comes time, unless I can find a cheaper option, I'll be going through RC for my gear setups...

[Mudderoy]

I'm assuming you mean with each gear ratio?? According to the gear ratio chart I have been using which can be found here (http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-tires/tire-gear-ratio-chart.htm).. the results are as follows:

4.10: 2720rpm
4.56: 3018rpm

The above rpm's are what makes me look more towards 4.10's, just due to me knowing I'm not going any higher than 33's, I don't really tow anything too heavy with the XJ (lawn mowers and Jet ski's at most).. So to keep my RPM's down, thus keeping me decent on gas, I think 4.10's would be my best bet.. If I was using my XJ for more towing or even more trails and every now and again on the street.. I think 4.56's would be perfect... but I think for my DD use and every now and again trails... 4.10's will be the best bet for me..

I mean since you actually have some awesome and technical wheeling there Amber... you might be better off with the 4.56's... but I think for what I have available to me I'll be sticking with the 4.10's...

That isn't the overdrive rpm. 65 mph is more like 2700 rpm with 4.56 gears. 80mph is 3000 rpm.

[EekGirl96]

Yeah thats another problem with my jeep, right now with my current set up if i go above 2k RPMs(about 60, well 65 since my speedo is off by 5) my jeep starts heating up quickly so id want to keep the rpms relatively low if i can.

[bluedragon436]

Yeah mine is off by a bit more than 5 by the time I get up to 65.. LOL... I need to replace that speedo gear once I get home... just need to figure out what gear ratio I'll be running so I can order the proper gear for that too.. LOL

Yeah def. don't want your Jeep overheating, that wouldn't be any good..

[EekGirl96]

Yeah me neither thats why at first i was going for 4.10s but unless its not going to make a huge difference id go with 4.56s(rpm wise)

[bluedragon436]

Well Tony, should def. know what the RPM's look like with 4.56's and 33's, since that is the setup he is running... so I guess I'd def. go off of what he says as far as the RPM's on the highway..

[EekGirl96]

Ok ill wait for Tony to give me his .02

[bluedragon436]

I believe he already did a few posts up:


That isn't the overdrive rpm. 65 mph is more like 2700 rpm with 4.56 gears. 80mph is 3000 rpm.

[4.3LXJ]

Amber, here is our link for gear and tire size calculator. This one has it all

http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9147

[EekGirl96]

Thanks...and yeah I just saw that(what Tony posted) lol

[Mudderoy]

Yeah thats another problem with my jeep, right now with my current set up if i go above 2k RPMs(about 60, well 65 since my speedo is off by 5) my jeep starts heating up quickly so id want to keep the rpms relatively low if i can.

Speedo gear is $35 (or less) and takes 10 minutes to replace. I bet you know this. I hate having speedometer off though, so maybe it's just me.

Mine heats up on the highway as well. I have improved this situation with going back to a aluminum/plastic radiator. I got a 1 row very wide tube radiator. I have tested for and I do show exhaust gases in the coolant. I suspect that at sustained highway speeds the leak gets worse and passes additional heat to the cooling system. I'll know more once we get the new motor in and we break down this motor.

[prcjeep]

lots of replies you got for this one! I didnt see anyone reply abo9ut where to find out the manufacturing date. It should be on the sticker on the drivers door, month/year

[EekGirl96]

Speedo gear is $35 (or less) and takes 10 minutes to replace. I bet you know this. I hate having speedometer off though, so maybe it's just me.

Mine heats up on the highway as well. I have improved this situation with going back to a aluminum/plastic radiator. I got a 1 row very wide tube radiator. I have tested for and I do show exhaust gases in the coolant. I suspect that at sustained highway speeds the leak gets worse and passes additional heat to the cooling system. I'll know more once we get the new motor in and we break down this motor.

Yeah my speedo being off doesnt bother me, im used to it by now lol. She has a brand new radiator in her(one I bought at autozone not sure what its made of) and she'll run fine if its not 113 outside :/

[EekGirl96]

lots of replies you got for this one! I didnt see anyone reply abo9ut where to find out the manufacturing date. It should be on the sticker on the drivers door, month/year

Thanks, very useful tip...mine is a 27 spline then

[prcjeep]

Speedo gear is $35 (or less) and takes 10 minutes to replace. I bet you know this. I hate having speedometer off though, so maybe it's just me.

Mine heats up on the highway as well. I have improved this situation with going back to a aluminum/plastic radiator. I got a 1 row very wide tube radiator. I have tested for and I do show exhaust gases in the coolant. I suspect that at sustained highway speeds the leak gets worse and passes additional heat to the cooling system. I'll know more once we get the new motor in and we break down this motor.

SIDE NOTE***

How do you test/check for exhaust gases in your coolant?

[4.3LXJ]

Take it to a radiator shop. They should do it for free.

[Mudderoy]

SIDE NOTE***

How do you test/check for exhaust gases in your coolant?

There is an electronic sniffer (I think) and a chemical method.

http://youtu.be/r1om5kFlT7E

[msmoorenburg]

Patrick it takes about 5 mins to do. My 91 Jeep has exhaust gases in the coolant to hints why I started the motor build.

[prcjeep]

Patrick it takes about 5 mins to do. My 91 Jeep has exhaust gases in the coolant to hints why I started the motor build.

okay, thanks. Thread jack over