Gearing advice

[Killer]

I recently bought a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Diesel, it has 33" wheels, front and rear bars, winch, roof rack, rear draws and both axles have ARB lockers with 3.21 ratios.

So, as most people have found, the diff ratios are too high making first gear in high range annoyingly difficult to take off, requiring a little extra accelerator and a little clutch burn to avoid a stall.

In low range it isn't such an issue apart from 1st not been particularly low.

So, I'm contemplating switching to 4.11 or 4.56 ratios and I know I'm going to have to replace the front locker at the same time to accommodate the larger ratio so it's going to be rather exy even if I can sell the front locker second hand.

What I'm after is some advice on my options, what have others done?

[furkew]

I was running 35's in a SWB sport running the same ratio's and my problem was even worse. 5th & 6th gear were just for show.

After a service & diff oil change, a tooth dropped out so I thought it was time to re-gear.

I went 4.88's (because of the bigger tyres) and at the same time sleeved and gusseted the front and rear axles and fitted a rear eaton locker (plus ARB diff cover front)

The gearing is a massive difference and am very pleased with the result. Been out wheeling twice with the locker and only turned them on twice, so cant really comment too much. In low gearing 1st & 2nd gear are almost obsolete, but you still have 4 more and I find sitting in 3rd suits 90% of the tracks I have so far tried (including some pretty gnarly high country tracks)

I would estimate the parts & labour by the time I finished was just over $5k, add a rear locker and labour probably close to $6.5k.

Looked at various options (ARB lockers, E-lockers etc and little difference in price)

If you plan on sticking to the 33's (or maybe even going bigger) look at 4.56's at least IMO.

[Paul-JK]

I thought all '07 models came with 4.1's. I thought the 3.21's were introduced in '08 for manual Sports (the auto Sport got 3.73's and the Rubicon's kept the 4.1's).

Are your's definitely 3.21's? Could have been swapped to 3.21's when the lockers were fitted, though I've no idea why anyone would want to.

[Killer]

Thanks furkew, glad to hear you are happy, if 1st and 2nd are unusable, I wonder how the Rubicon boys go with 4.11 and 4.1 transfer case, that must be seriously low geared!

Paul-JK, I'm certain they are 3.21 as I contacted Jeep and they sent me the specifications based on the VIN, mines manual, I think the 07 Auto's may have come with 4.11 but not the manuals due to the rubbish clutch.

[furkew]

Where in melly are you?

I'm up in the dandenongs In monbulk. If you fancy a spin to feel the difference feel free to drop me a PM.

Paul.

[Banshee]

Manuals came with 3.21 most years, auto & Offroad group had 3.73 and Rubi got 4.11. The Rubi also gets a lower crawl speed with a different transfer case. Though they did jump around a bit, 3.21 or 3.73 were the only ratios supplied unless you got the Rubi.

[rollas]

Wasn't there a few Auto's in the 07 range that came out with 4.10's which confused the hell out of things as well.