Sponsored

MGladiator83

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mike
Joined
Jun 7, 2020
Threads
4
Messages
45
Reaction score
79
Location
Washington
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator
So, the debate, at least for me, is settled

I watched all the videos. Scrubbed all the forums. Checked all the pricing too.

Like a lot of us, My JTR rides on 37 mud terrains on a mopar lift. For everyone who says the 4.10s are fine with this kind of set up, you are right. You can get down the road just fine, no surging, reasonable power. Its also true that doing so comes with a lot of gear hunting on the highway. But its seriously not an issue, you’ll just spDend a lot of time in 6th going down the road.

But, as decent as the 4.10s are with allowing you to get down the road, the 4.88’s are a game changer, and its not even close.

Elite Offroad here in Birmingham did a great job dropping in some Dana Spicer 4.88 gears and master install kit on my JTR this week. We used a Superchips Flashcal to dial it in. This thing will never be a hellcat in terms of pep but it moved itself with way more ease with the new rings. Very peppy, and more importantly, super smooth at part throttle. The jeep also uses all its gears and settles in to 8th without bogging. It shows off the strengths of this 8 speed well, up hill downshifts arehandled crisply and the engine never lags or bogs.

All of us have different driving styles. But for me, on the highway running 70 on flat ground i could achieve 20mpg running 2100 rpms. Pic below confirms what I saw.

We’ll put it on a trail after the break in period but I am expecting greater control off road and also less need for 4 lo on average trails here in the southeast. Hope these notes help any who are trying to make a decision. Zero regrets here, its really a no brainer and highly recommend.

D6500408-81E6-477F-B1BC-216A43660D87.jpeg
I support this as another owner who has installed 4.88’s
Sponsored

 

Keller

Well-Known Member
First Name
Josh
Joined
Dec 30, 2019
Threads
4
Messages
92
Reaction score
115
Location
Savannah GA
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
What do you need for install other than the gear sets (F/R) and tools?
 

No IFS

Well-Known Member
First Name
Banned
Joined
Nov 13, 2019
Threads
3
Messages
130
Reaction score
135
Location
Southern California
Vehicle(s)
Banned
There is no debate, its 5.13 for me. 4.88 not enough gear for 37” But thats why they make different ratios for different people. I’m very happy.
 

LostWoods

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2020
Threads
15
Messages
1,921
Reaction score
2,170
Location
Gilbert, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2024 4Runner / 1995 YJ
What do you need for install other than the gear sets (F/R) and tools?
Bearings and a shim kit. With a press you can reuse bearings but IMO it's just a good idea to do fresh ones that don't have previous wear. The only special tool you should need is a beam torque wrench so you can properly set pinion preload if you don't have a feel for it.
 

J.Noack

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeremy
Joined
Jun 22, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
99
Reaction score
260
Location
Spring, Texas
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Occupation
Business Owner
There is no debate, its 5.13 for me. 4.88 not enough gear for 37” But thats why they make different ratios for different people. I’m very happy.
I’m on 40’s so went with 5.13’s as well. Also doing RCV shafts to be on the safe side. Went ahead and replaced both driveshafts due to the lift. So it’s looking like my transfer case will be the victim in all of this lol.
We will see how it turns out concerning performance.
 

Sponsored

Joined
Mar 5, 2020
Threads
4
Messages
1,954
Reaction score
2,403
Location
Lake Martin, Alabama
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
Vehicle Showcase
1
Bearings and a shim kit. With a press you can reuse bearings but IMO it's just a good idea to do fresh ones that don't have previous wear. The only special tool you should need is a beam torque wrench so you can properly set pinion preload if you don't have a feel for it.
You will also need a precise dial indicator with a magnetic base to set backlash.
 
Last edited:

PyrPatriot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2019
Threads
193
Messages
2,669
Reaction score
1,859
Location
Kentucky, USA
Vehicle(s)
JT Sport S Max Tow; Honda Element
I'm getting around 18 mixed with 35s on stock max tow 4.10 gears. I understand everyone wants to feel good about the gear change but 4.10 to 4.88 is not a very big jump. If you have 3.73 then yes a bigger change. I would go 5.13 or 5.38 without hesitation if you have a larger than 35" tire.
Same. 4.10 on heavy 35s (Falken MTs) and went from 20mpg factory, to 18-19mpg on 32" Falkens, and now 17-18 on the 35s. I stay in 8th gear on the highway as much as I did with the 32" Falkens.

5.13s should give you the performance needed up to 40" tires off road. Now, I'd like more explanation on the physical size of the gears and possible failure. 4.10 is larger physically than 5.13, so much so that the 5.13s are just not as strong?


3-6-jkgearing-jpg.jpg
 

LostWoods

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2020
Threads
15
Messages
1,921
Reaction score
2,170
Location
Gilbert, AZ
Vehicle(s)
2024 4Runner / 1995 YJ
Same. 4.10 on heavy 35s (Falken MTs) and went from 20mpg factory, to 18-19mpg on 32" Falkens, and now 17-18 on the 35s. I stay in 8th gear on the highway as much as I did with the 32" Falkens.

5.13s should give you the performance needed up to 40" tires off road. Now, I'd like more explanation on the physical size of the gears and possible failure. 4.10 is larger physically than 5.13, so much so that the 5.13s are just not as strong?


3-6-jkgearing-jpg.jpg
This was designed for the JK's 6AT so you actually get more leeway out of it with the new ZF box. 4.88s on a JK will give you lower final ratio (higher numerically; i.e. higher RPM at any given speed) than 5.13s on the JL/JT.

If it weren't for the lower pinion tooth count vs 4.88s, I'd say 5.13s are a no-brainer even with 35's if you plan on wheeling regularly.
 

PyrPatriot

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2019
Threads
193
Messages
2,669
Reaction score
1,859
Location
Kentucky, USA
Vehicle(s)
JT Sport S Max Tow; Honda Element
This was designed for the JK's 6AT so you actually get more leeway out of it with the new ZF box. 4.88s on a JK will give you lower final ratio (higher numerically; i.e. higher RPM at any given speed) than 5.13s on the JL/JT.

If it weren't for the lower pinion tooth count vs 4.88s, I'd say 5.13s are a no-brainer even with 35's if you plan on wheeling regularly.
Oh ok
 

Sponsored

Nate

Well-Known Member
First Name
Nathan
Joined
Nov 17, 2017
Threads
11
Messages
79
Reaction score
117
Location
Idaho
Vehicle(s)
2020 Gladiator, 2019 Jeep Cherokee, 2018 Road King, 1996 Bronco
Occupation
Machinist
Revolution 4.88s and 37s here. Perfect combination.
 

TrailRax

Active Member
First Name
TrailRax
Joined
Jul 8, 2020
Threads
5
Messages
35
Reaction score
66
Location
Woods Cross, Utah
Website
www.trailrax.com
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Build Thread
Link
Vehicle Showcase
1
So, the debate, at least for me, is settled

I watched all the videos. Scrubbed all the forums. Checked all the pricing too.

Like a lot of us, My JTR rides on 37 mud terrains on a mopar lift. For everyone who says the 4.10s are fine with this kind of set up, you are right. You can get down the road just fine, no surging, reasonable power. Its also true that doing so comes with a lot of gear hunting on the highway. But its seriously not an issue, you’ll just spDend a lot of time in 6th going down the road.

But, as decent as the 4.10s are with allowing you to get down the road, the 4.88’s are a game changer, and its not even close.

Elite Offroad here in Birmingham did a great job dropping in some Dana Spicer 4.88 gears and master install kit on my JTR this week. We used a Superchips Flashcal to dial it in. This thing will never be a hellcat in terms of pep but it moved itself with way more ease with the new rings. Very peppy, and more importantly, super smooth at part throttle. The jeep also uses all its gears and settles in to 8th without bogging. It shows off the strengths of this 8 speed well, up hill downshifts arehandled crisply and the engine never lags or bogs.

All of us have different driving styles. But for me, on the highway running 70 on flat ground i could achieve 20mpg running 2100 rpms. Pic below confirms what I saw.

We’ll put it on a trail after the break in period but I am expecting greater control off road and also less need for 4 lo on average trails here in the southeast. Hope these notes help any who are trying to make a decision. Zero regrets here, its really a no brainer and highly recommend.

Jeep Gladiator There is no debate, go 4.88 gears (my review) 3-6-jkgearing-
Although I already planned on adding 4.88 to the gladiator once it is on 37s and coilover lift, this post has relieved me that I am making the correct decision. Thanks for your review and detailed information.
 

Deleted member 31576

Although I already planned on adding 4.88 to the gladiator once it is on 37s and coilover lift, this post has relieved me that I am making the correct decision. Thanks for your review and detailed information.
What’s a typical install plus parts cost for the the 4.88s?
 
Joined
Mar 5, 2020
Threads
4
Messages
1,954
Reaction score
2,403
Location
Lake Martin, Alabama
Vehicle(s)
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
Vehicle Showcase
1
What’s a typical install plus parts cost for the the 4.88s?
The place that the OP had do his, is the same place I plan on having do mine. They quoted me $500 per axle for labor, plus whatever the parts cost, which would be about another $1000 for F&R Yukons and master install kits. So, about $2000 is what I'm figuring.

I can probably source the parts cheaper online, which is what I'll most-likely do, and save a couple hundred $$$, and then take them all the parts and have them do the install.
 

wvyankee2

Well-Known Member
First Name
Marty
Joined
Apr 28, 2020
Threads
12
Messages
332
Reaction score
471
Location
West Virginia. ( Soon to be Arizona )
Vehicle(s)
2023 JT Rubicon
Occupation
Refinery Operator
Vehicle Showcase
3
What’s a typical install plus parts cost for the the 4.88s?

I paid $2100 complete with new fluid at my Jeep dealership where I bought it. That was with the Mopar 488 gears.
Sponsored

 
 



Top