Gearing

[Darth Rubicon]

Seems like lots of opinions and variations in use, weight, geography...all of which make a diffference in gearing.
The point of hitting 8th (imo) is for highway fuel economy. No I didn't buy a Jeep for fuel economy, but yes I care because I want to avoid stopping for gas as much as I do And I want to have plenty of fuel for trails once I arrive. Since I've added a RTT to the SmartCap & Decked system I am running with roughly 700lbs without me or passengers 100% of the time. And that is also without additional camping gear, etc. when I am going on a roadtrip/overland trip. Being in Arizona I rarely drive on flat ground, even the desert has 500-1000 ft hills rolling along. Going up to 10-12K elevation is a common activity.
Constructive discussion about specific vehicle, weight, geography along with tire size seems to be most needed to clarify and not conflict with anyone. Personal preference is always present and to each his/her own so have fun and learn more.
Sounds like info from local people in your local area is the best advice guided by some practical gearing details.
Am I far off track here folks?

I think you’re absolutely correct. If I lived in a more mountainous area or had a rooftop tent (plan to at some point) I would have already done the regear.

Sponsored

 

[KX L]

I have a manual transmission so it stays in any gear I put it in. I purposely keep the gear in whatever keeps the engine between 2500-3000 rpm. That is definitely the sweet spot for my truck to be responsive to my right foot. I drive fast on the highway, with the speed of traffic in cities, and really slow in neighborhoods. In Missouri I live on a lake that is literally in between where I-70 and I-64/US-61 merge so most of my driving is 70+mph.

Couldn't stand the weak clutch so I had a 4 wheel drive shop put in a Centerforce dual friction clutch. Now I can just put it in 1st, let out the clutch and it will pull the truck around without any accelerator action at all. Believe it or not that's really great in stop and go traffic as I rarely have to brake.

I put 35's on my 22 Mojave and purposely kept the 4:10's. I don't tow anything but probably max out the weight on longer trips. I don't do Interstates and instead drive the old US highways and state and county roads. On the roads I always drive between 6-9mph above the speed limit. I average 15-16.2 mpg depending on terrain. Blessed not to give a rats ass about the price of gas.

Bottomline, auto or manual, 35's and 4:10 gearing is just fine provided you keep the engine at the right rpms. You shouldn't give a rats ass what gear that happens to be.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I have a manual transmission so it stays in any gear I put it in. I purposely keep the gear in whatever keeps the engine between 2500-3000 rpm. That is definitely the sweet spot for my truck to be responsive to my right foot. I drive fast on the highway, with the speed of traffic in cities, and really slow in neighborhoods. In Missouri I live on a lake that is literally in between where I-70 and I-64/US-61 merge so most of my driving is 70+mph.

Couldn't stand the weak clutch so I had a 4 wheel drive shop put in a Centerforce dual friction clutch. Now I can just put it in 1st, let out the clutch and it will pull the truck around without any accelerator action at all. Believe it or not that's really great in stop and go traffic as I rarely have to brake.

I put 35's on my 22 Mojave and purposely kept the 4:10's. I don't tow anything but probably max out the weight on longer trips. I don't do Interstates and instead drive the old US highways and state and county roads. On the roads I always drive between 6-9mph above the speed limit. I average 15-16.2 mpg depending on terrain. Blessed not to give a rats ass about the price of gas.

Bottomline, auto or manual, 35's and 4:10 gearing is just fine provided you keep the engine at the right rpms. You shouldn't give a rats ass what gear that happens to be.

Most automatic drivers aren't going to want to shift manually to keep at a certain RPM.

 

[KX L]

Most automatic drivers aren't going to want to shift manually to keep at a certain RPM.

I know. That said I sure would---can't believe Jeep got rid of the manual option. I see waaay to many drivers completely zoned out while driving. A manual pretty much forces you to pay attention.

If mine gets totaled somehow I would probably replace it with the newest version of the Mojave so that would mean an auto transmission that I would operate like a manual just to stay involved and keep it at the rpms I want.

Sponsored