Sorry to post more than one thread... I've got more than one thing I want to do to the jeep

I have a 96 Cherokee, inline 6 (it's my only vehicle, daily driver). It has 31" tires on it with a 3" lift and I live at high altitude near Denver. Consequently, it struggles with power issues a bit more than those with stock size tires, especially when driving through the mountains.

So, I'm a complete newbie but my understanding is that the fix is to regear both diffs? Sounds like it might be too spendy, but I really don't know where to start or what to look for. I need to know what to buy, where to find it or how to identify it, and ideally some kind of tutorial of how to do it. Or if I'm completely wrong, a different sort of suggestion as to what to do. Thanks!

 

regearing will get your power back but is spendy and if your dont know what your doin you can mess stuff up really bad. depending on your axles regearing can run up to $1500 depending on what gear you go with. 4.11 seems to be popular.
to gear youll need new ring and pinion for both diffs, and youll need to reset the pattern and backlash to the new gears.

 

Depending on what axles you have you may need to replace the one or both of the carriers as well. As stated before if you don't know what you're doing you can really screw things up including the new expensive ring and pinion you just bought.

 

Are you auto tranny or manual? If auto,I would regear to 4.10. If you are manual, you might look at the JY and pickup some 3.55 axles and swap them in. I would NOT do gears myself, if I was a gearing virgin. Only do it yourself if you have a qualified experienced person to show you haw and has all the proper tools. You do not have the correct tools in your kit, i'm whilling to bet. It will cost $1500 or so to regear at a shop, it can cost 2x that if you screw it up, DIY...

 

check out national drivetrain, I recently bought 4.56 gears for my d30-35 and master install kits for 470..... I am lucky enough to have a guy in town here that will set up my ring and pinion for 125 an axel!

 

fyi- 4.10's for a 31" tire is a little steep for an auto trans. cranks out some high rpm's on the freeway

 

where did you get this info from? shop rig has 31's and 4.10 and runs down the freeway right around 2300 rpms. if you go to randys ring and pinion to the gear ratio calculator you will find they suggest 4.10 with a auto on 31

 

It's an auto transmission. Sounds like it might be too spendy but I'll look into it. I also have the advantage of friends with Jeeps who know what they're doing. Thanks for the help and if anyone else has more words of wisdom, please post

 

ill have to check, but mine gets pretty close to 3 grand when i get it on the freeway. ill have to snag somebody w/ gps tho, still havent changed out the speedo gear . but ive remembered hearing a 4.10 gets you back to a stock ratio w/ a 33" tire

 

4.56 all the way.

 

not trying to be rude but dont offer suggestions especially when it comes to gearing (a lot of $$ will be spent) on suggestions you have heard. 4.10 WILL not get you back into stock rpm range, 4.56 will.

use this calculator. learn it and use it http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

from what ive read/researched/heard its 4.11's for 30"/31" tires, 4.56's for 32-33's, and 4.88's for 33-35's

 

yes this is whats suggested

 

ehh, o well. its just what ive read/ heard from a few places. I would hope someone would actually look deeply into information when spending that kind of dough, tho.

 

Hey guys Im new to the forums as well and look to have some good fun here and more in the mountains.

I too have the same issue. I have a 96' Cherokee 4.0, 3.5" lift 31" tires new track bar, and a sorry transfercase lowering kit. I have taken her up to the mountains on a couple of trails just to be disappointed with the performance. She definatley lacks power to climb over small rocks or hills.

I have a dana 30 (front) and dana 35 (rear) manual trans and stock tranfer case. I am not looking to upgrade the whole axel just the gears. I went to 4 wheel parts and they are recomeneding 4.56 gears. I have done a little research and see most recomened 4.11s. Is this because most are auto trans? Im really not sure which way to go because (please corresct me if Im wrong) 4.56 gears will wind the motor out real fast while 4.11 will offer less torque.

Also some on here have said that doing the job is not that easy. Well to a computer geek, something as trivial as spark plugs is hard. I dont consider myself to be a pro mechanic but I have built my own motor and dable in suspension. I would consider my knowledge and abilitys higher than average, but still not sure if i am up to the task. Is gear mesh as easy as valve lash or is this something I should really look at having 4 wheel parts do?

I have also looked at other directions as well i.e. new exhaust to compliment my intake as well as getting the super tuner or whatever. The problem I see withthis is gas milage would drop because of poor gearing. Both options seem to put me into the $1500 range installed.

Ug, just to go have fun. Thanks for the help guys