Help me decide 4.88 or 5.13 for my use

[Wheelin98TJ]

I want it to be a good all around vehicle. Something that can drive well down the road, tow well and offroad well. I almost feel like I’m at a 51/49 split and the 4.88’s are the 51. I daiky drive it far more than I tow anything or offroad.

Many will say go deeper if you can't make up your mind.

I'm sure you've ran the #s. Here are a few perspectives from that:

4.88 vs 5.13 at 70 mph is a differrence of about 115 RPM.
4.88 will be 2,200-2,300 RPM at 70 mph, 5.13 will be 2,300-2,400.
4.88 will hit 3k RPM at about 95 mph, 5.13 will be 3k RPM at about 90 MPH.

I'd go with 5.13.

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[Stan H]

During my Black Hills trip, I used the off-road cruise control quite a bit. What I found funny, is that with 5.38’s and 2.72:1 transfer case, the computer would choose 8th gear most of the time. I’d have it set to 2 or 2.5 mph and I’m in 8th, kind of weird, but it drove great. All I had to do was steer the truck around obstacles. The computer took care of speed and braking, which was super fun.

Oh you was using the down hill controlled decent button ?
Yeah it goes up to like 5mph.
I don't ever recall it selecting any particular gear as it takes that over utilizing first gear.
However have you simply tried using the regular cruise control while in low ?

 

[Stan H]

Reading through your overall thought process in this thread, I’d just get 4.88’s. You’ll be happier with them, you’ll tow just fine, and you’ll get the cruising rpm’s that you’ll likely be most comfortable with. There’s only a 5% difference between 4.88 and 5.13, not enough in my opinion to spend too much time dwelling on it. I doubt I’d notice too much of a difference if I jumped in a Gladiator with 5.13’s. Just my two cents, good luck with your choice!

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[gearhead22]

Many will say go deeper if you can't make up your mind.

I'm sure you've ran the #s. Here are a few perspectives from that:

4.88 vs 5.13 at 70 mph is a differrence of about 115 RPM.
4.88 will be 2,200-2,300 RPM at 70 mph, 5.13 will be 2,300-2,400.
4.88 will hit 3k RPM at about 95 mph, 5.13 will be 3k RPM at about 90 MPH.

I'd go with 5.13.

I worry about hitting 6th gear at times too. Stock 6th gear still would be below the 3000 rpm of the 2nd stage of the oil pump. But with 4.88 or 5.13 6th will probably push over the 3k at highway speed.

 

[gearhead22]

I also wonder keeping the bfg’s being that they’re a little smaller than other 37’s does that even matter in gear choice?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I worry about hitting 6th gear at times too. Stock 6th gear still would be below the 3000 rpm of the 2nd stage of the oil pump. But with 4.88 or 5.13 6th will probably push over the 3k at highway speed.

I also wonder keeping the bfg’s being that they’re a little smaller than other 37’s does that even matter in gear choice?

I wouldn’t worry too much about short times in 6th and the tires being slightly smaller than others. The next tires you buy might be average size.

 

[Zelaya]

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

I in Maryland and I just did 4.88 with 37's. It's my daily vehicle. It all depends what you will you be using your JT for. Overland? Will you be adding any weight. You can't go wrong either way 488 or 5.13

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