2022 AEV Gladiator Rubicon build

[Jteakus]

Here you go

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[Zachanadandy]

Here you go

Just remember, these aren't old wide ratio 3-4 speed transmissions. They are much more tolerant of less than perfect gear ratios. If you were ordering tons where the gearing selection is free, by all means go for optimal. If it's swapping good gearing for slightly better gearing at a cost of $2-3k is save that money towards more impactful mods.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

To my understanding, with 38” and the Hemi 4.88 is the preferred gearing. I don’t have real world experience but every video I’ve watched on it or article I’ve read states 4.88 is the more “drivable” option with the power increase. My own inquiries to shops have said the same. I may have looked into this a time or 7,000…… When I asked I stated it had to drive from SoCal to Moab, fully loaded for camping, run trails competently, and make the drive back all without compromising on road manners.

 

[Jteakus]

If the gearing is too deep you can always go up a tire size.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I can't believe what just happened.

I got a call from my local Jeep/off-road shop, High Lift in Cincinnati, offering me a deal on a 6.4 Hemi swap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Full factory-like install of the same 6.4 and transmission that AMW uses, plus the 392 hood, hydro flow hood, and air cleaner.

I didn't decline; I accepted their offer. I am now scheduled to drop off my JT on 4 May for its new motor and trans!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://highliftoffroad.com/

Wow, the escalated fast.

 

[Flyin6]

Good points-all!

I can agree with every point to some degree.

* Keep it the same and drive it to see if it's over-geared: Smart move really
* Drop to 4.88: That is what RubiTrux recommended, but not that much of a difference
* Switch to 4.56: High Lift said that would be OK too if I was thinking of a change, although they recommended 4.88.
* Keep gearing and go bigger on tire size: That's smart too. I could cut the gear ratio by switching if these KM3's ever wear out
And that's what I did with my dually 3500 Ram. It had factory 4.10 but 1075 ft/lb torque that comes on almost right away. The factory installed a 31.5" tire, I think. I went to a 33" tire, then to a 35" tire. It still has enough torque to spin all four rear tires, so I could go bigger yet, but, yes, I have exercised the principle already.
* skip regearing and save $$$$: Are you kidding??? Does it look like I have saved money on anything with this build? And what is there left for me to add anyway? It has everything (Not going to 1-tons, ever) ;-)

I'll chat with the folks at the shop and see if there is any one glaring consideration I may have missed, then decide.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I may spend a lot of money "experimenting" with Jeep stuff (4+ lift kits, same Jeep), but I always seem to push for the best. I was not happy with the sound the SC makes, and that spoiled it all for me. Since I purchased the Jeep, I have wanted a Hemi. Now that dream is going to be realized!!!

The way I see it, we can't leave this earth with the money we have saved. Sure, we can give it to family or charity etc., and if thats your thing then great, but no one gave me anything and I've worked hard to get where I'm at in life so I'm going to spend my money on stupid things that make me happy because thats what life should be all about... being happy. If my bills are paid and my emergency cushion is good and I want something Imma buy it.

 

[Stan H]

If you keep deepest gearing and go bigger tires your sorta screwed into that always and it will wear other things out. I think I would do the 4.88's it is the middle of the road that gives best of both worlds

 

[Zachanadandy]

With 38s at 80mph the difference between 5.13s and 4.88s is 100rpm. Hardly worth $2k in my opinon. Again, not because you shouldn't spend money on the Jeep, but you can do better things with that money. Hell if you camp $2k could fund a decent moab trip. I'll take 5 days wheeling over 100 rpm every time.

 

[Rcoe]

Take the 2k for gears and put it towards 40's.

 

[Flyin6]

Thinking out loud here, I wonder if it would be best to post the Hemi Swap pics and write-up on its own dedicated thread, or just include it here in the Encyclopedia Gladiator thread???

I'm learning a bunch more about this new and unique to the industry Hemi swap...

 

[MSFTMatt]

I vote for just keep it running here

 

[Jaxmax]

I think start a new thread , perhaps with opening thread saying where you were , are now and are going!
Long threads get lost and people only post on the last post , like I am!…Jack

 

[Flyin6]

OK, one vote for keeping it here, one for starting new...

On another note, let me begin to talk about the long arm and the supercharger mods

One is really great, and one is very much not.

The ride with the new sway bar and the long arm feels really planted. The sway bar is doing a better job than the factory Rubicon piece of controlling body roll on the road at all speeds. I haven't taken it off-road yet, so the jury is still out on that. The ride is smoother and feels better than it ever did, so I'm happy so far with the Iron Rock long arm suspension accompanied with the rear TerraFlex brackets which correct all that horrible factory geometry when drooped.

Now as for the Supercharger, in as few words as I can muster, it's just awful. I cannot live with it, that's for sure. If I wasn't about to drop a Hemi in there, I'd pull it all back off.

It makes a nasty noise at all low speeds. If you attached a scrap piece of metal to the torque converter and allowed it to bang around in the bell housing, well, that's a close approximation. It does have more power, but not a ton. The IAT probe keeps blowing out of the inlet pipe, venting all the boost, so you only really get boost for a few seconds. I guess the only fix is to glue the darned thing in there, and I'm not about to do that.
When you punch it, then let off the throttle, the over-pressure valve opens, and suddenly babies two blocks away start screaming at the sound that thing makes. Driving it makes me a nervous wreck. I'm not sure if the belt is going to fly apart, or if part of my front axle just fell off and is banging around, or if the transmission just fell apart. When idling, there is a constant mechanical sound that, if heard while I was flying, I'd either land immediately or bail out!

I think I can't stand that supercharger, and I am pretty sore at myself for tossing over $6K down the drain!

 

[Flyin6]

I think start a new thread , perhaps with opening thread saying where you were , are now and are going!
Long threads get lost and people only post on the last post , like I am!…Jack

Well, truth be known, I'm not really doing this for anyone else. I'm just keeping a journal as it were because I like doing it. Besides, all of the kids and angry grill types stay away when they can't get immediate gratification and actually have to do a bit of reading (What's that?) to get the full story.

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