I'm looking at purchasing the MOAB Gobi trailer. www.moabaz.com The weight is on the order of 2000 lbs.
My 2000XJ has 31" tires, and 4.0 L engine, 4-speed auto, D30 and Chrysler 8.25. Will be adding elec brake controller.
What would (in you opinion) be the ideal diff gear ratio for towing this load? 4.10 would be about "stock" with these tires. The next available ratio seems to be 4.56.
Would 4.10 pull adequately? Would 4.56 be too low for highway? (In my region, South TX, we don't have mountains. We have hills.) My off-road use is mostly coastal region with lots of sand.
What do you think towing this will be like?
Please offer your experience and opinions.
Regards,
King from San Antonio

 

You can keep the stock gears and leave it in 3rd.

 

I ran 4.11s when the XJ had 31"s and was like stock except for the diminished braking, caused by the bigger tires.
If I regularly towed a 2000-lbs+ trailer, rear discs and WJ front brakes would go in before the first trip.
The stock brakes are OK...when it was stock but they fall down when up sizing tires and and/or towing.