Help me decide 4.88 or 5.13 for my use

[gearhead22]

I have a 21’ JTR. Currently it’s in 37 ko2’s. It really isn’t bad at all drivability wise. I see 8th, sometimes it’ll hunt a little but I don’t think it’s that bad. Having said that I do think it could be better, and a little more resistant to hills and wind. I do tow on occasion. Over the summer it’s a small utility trailer and mower about 20 miles once every week/or every other round trip to mow my other property. We also do occasional camping over the summer and I pull a 1500lb popup camper. Usually 2-4 times a year. Tire wise I won’t ever go above 38’s and may stick with 37’s since there aren’t many 38 options I want to pay for outside of milestar. I live in NY, 900ft elevation and it didn’t change a ton around here.

what do you think would suit me better? 4.88 or 5.13

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[whysoserious]

If everyone who is about to respond to this thread could hold off a few, I'm heading to the store for some popcorn. Give me... 30 minutes? Thanks.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Well if you’re going to be driving in Colorado in hilly terrain I’d go for the 5.13. That is assuming you may want to go to 38” tires at some point in the future too. For flatland driving you can go 4.88. But you also said you’re going to be towing so go with the 5.13.
Let the games begin……..

 

[gearhead22]

Well if you’re going to be driving in Colorado in hilly terrain I’d go for the 5.13. That is assuming you may want to go to 38” tires at some point in the future too. For flatland driving you can go 4.88. But you also said you’re going to be towing so go with the 5.13.
Let the games begin……..

I’m in ny. I would love to visit Colorado but that most likely wouldn’t be happening

 

[NewGladdyOWNR]

5.13’s if you tow, 4.88’s if you don’t.

 

[gearhead22]

5.13’s if you tow, 4.88’s if you don’t.

If you tow even once a year should you go 5.13’s? Like I said I tow a small utility trailer across town, which in its current configuration is perfectly adequate. The camper towing would be at speeds of 55-70 though.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Do the 5.13s. I’m on 37” M/Ts. I have 4.88. I want to regear eventually but have a lot more other stuff I want to do before then. The cost/benefit of 5.13s will allow you to enjoy the rig without regret.

 

[BennieD]

I tow a 7000 lb travel trailer with 35’s and 4.88. I would think you would be fine with 37’s and 4.88 with what you tow. 5.13 would be more than I need. 4.88 allows me to see 7th gear towing heavy loads

 

[MaximusTX]

This is what my local shop Exodus 4x4 recommends

 

[gearhead22]

Do the 5.13s. I’m on 37” M/Ts. I have 4.88. I want to regear eventually but have a lot more other stuff I want to do before then. The cost/benefit of 5.13s will allow you to enjoy the rig without regret.

I’m back and forth. Day to day I almost feel like the 4.88 would be better. It’s mostly a driver and is quite lightweight (all things considered). I would like to get it offroad more but who knows. With 4.88’s I feel like it would drive great how it sits now. I feel like I just need that little extra oomph to make it perfect. But my concern comes when one or a combination of these happen:
1. I switch to a heavier 37
2. I switch to a a 38
3. I tow
4. Road trips where the speed limit is 75-80

it seems diameter has the most affect for gearing but I’m sure weight matters some. A 38 of course would be a bit larger. Towing while not an every day thing does happen on occasion and I don’t want it to suck while doing it, but I don’t want it to suck daily driving it because I made it better for towing. With 5.13’s and 37’s at 75 you’re at ~2500 rpm which is quite close to the 2700rpm where the hi lift cam kicks in and I’d like to stay out of that for extended driving.

 

[pcrawfordpt]

I have a 2021 JTR on 37’s, and re-geared to 5:13. I also tow a 3600 pound camper plus gear. I wheel hard and often travel with and without the camper through the mountains. I would absolutely recommend 5:13’s when planning to tow and/or pull grades through mountains. If you plan to tow and pull the camper through the mountains you will not regret 5:13. Your daily driving mpg will take a slight hit, but you’re on 37’s so expecting good mpg’s is unrealistic anyway. I get about 16-18 on average, 10-12 when towing. Smiles per gallon…

 

[Jdon60]

I tow a 7000 lb travel trailer with 35’s and 4.88. I would think you would be fine with 37’s and 4.88 with what you tow. 5.13 would be more than I need. 4.88 allows me to see 7th gear towing heavy loads

 

[Jdon60]

Good morning, I am on 35s in 2024 Glad sport s. Running stick gears now. Considering the 4.88 as my next upgrade. I am getting 15.5 to 17.1 mph on highway (Florida) when not towing are you hitting 8 regular? What mileage are you getting. I hit 8 on the flat but mostly stay in 6.. Thanks

 

[gearhead22]

I have a 2021 JTR on 37’s, and re-geared to 5:13. I also tow a 3600 pound camper plus gear. I wheel hard and often travel with and without the camper through the mountains. I would absolutely recommend 5:13’s when planning to tow and/or pull grades through mountains. If you plan to tow and pull the camper through the mountains you will not regret 5:13. Your daily driving mpg will take a slight hit, but you’re on 37’s so expecting good mpg’s is unrealistic anyway. I get about 16-18 on average, 10-12 when towing. Smiles per gallon…

That’s the thing is where I am (900ft) it’s relatively the same elevation all around. Might jump up to 2-2500 depending on which direction I go. Not not really any “mountains” lol

 

[1550jrit]

4. Road trips where the speed limit is 75-80

it seems diameter has the most affect for gearing but I’m sure weight matters some. A 38 of course would be a bit larger. Towing while not an every day thing does happen on occasion and I don’t want it to suck while doing it, but I don’t want it to suck daily driving it because I made it better for towing. With 5.13’s and 37’s at 75 you’re at ~2500 rpm which is quite close to the 2700rpm where the hi lift cam kicks in and I’d like to stay out of that for extended driving.

I’m on 5.38’s and 37’s. I recently drove 900 miles back from Moab and had my cruise set at 84 mph pretty much the entire drive back. I was at 2850 rpm and stayed out of the 2nd stage of the oil pump when cruising in 8th, which was most of the drive through the flats of Nebraska. You’ll be just fine on 5.13’s staying out of high lift cam.

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