RandyQuickXJ

Ok first off ill just put down what i have already and my plans for the future...right now i have a 98 xj, with an auto trans, and dana 30 and 8.25 in the rear, i am running i believe 3.73 gears (from what i was told) and basically i need to do something i am running 33x12.5 km2's on it and its fine just crusing around going like 50, i know i need to put gears in it which that is in my winter to do list, i am thinking 4.56 gears, and a trutrac in the rear. About the only time i will ever be driving highway is when i go up to silver lake sand dunes or somewhere north to go ride my 4 wheelers and i want to be able to pull my 2 4 wheelers on my enclosed trailer too, im not looking to break and speed records of getting to the place i just want to know what would be the best for doing this, ive been seeing people running even 4.88s in it even...thats why i was wondering, and i do actually use the jeep for messing around in the woods and playing in the mud too so its not just a highway cruiser, and the next thing i was thinking about doing is either a stroker motor, or just pulling the head off and port and polishing the head and putting new valve springs in it and lifters and a cam, which i havent done too much research on that so i dont know exactly what would be a good all around setup but i think this is about it

ZINGGG

With the auto, you're going to want 4.56s. They're nice. And if you're towing, you DEFINITELY want to add an auxiliary trans cooler so you don't kill your trans. You'll also need a heavier weight gear oil and you may want to consider swapping disc brakes in the rear

RandyQuickXJ

I was going to install a trans cooler a while back but i wont be towing much more than maybe 1500-1800 at maybe 65 for about 2 hours or so but i didnt yet, and disc brake conversion will probably be a winter project this winter, i have been wanting to do that for a while now i just haven't had the ambition to do so...i just was wondering more if i should go steeper than a 4.56 or if that would be good and im looking for just a little more performance also, aka cam and port job, valve springs and roller rockers maybe

ZINGGG

4.56 is fine.

And on stock gears and 33s, your transmission is going to hate you WITHOUT towing anything. Sooo you NEED an auxiliary tranny cooler. That should be your priority now. Before towing anything

Tom95YJ

X2. I had to add one to mine. I should probably install a trans temp gauge also.

ZINGGG

That's one thing I still gotta do too

RandyQuickXJ

I don't use my jeep to tow with, but I may get a trans temp gauge on it when I get some time, but I've also heard some people saying a second trans cooler is not needed also....

ZINGGG

I'm confused... Are you or are you not going to be towing?.......

A second trans cooler (or an auxiliary trans cooler either in addition to the factory cooler or completely bypassing the factory trans cooler in the radiator) is DEFINITELY needed if you are going to tow anything. ESPECIALLY with large tires on stock gears.

RandyQuickXJ

I will be using it to tow my 4 wheelers up north next year but I'm not using it to tow with 3.73 gears...that's why I'm getting gears to begin with but ill put another trans cooler on if I need it but I am very easy with it when I am even driving it around town...my question was more what gears to get cuz I've heard people not very happy with 4.56 gears and wish they would have gotten 4.88s instead which is quite a bit lower than stock and my only highway driving will be going up north basically

ZINGGG

Ah thank you for clarifying. Gears are definitely a better option for you than just adding a cooler.

I have 4.56s with my 33s and auto tranny and I'm very happy with them. I wouldn't want to go deeper. But I would agree, there are many mixed opinions on this. I have never had experience with 4.88s and 33s so I couldn't tell you how it would be. I can say that you would be happy with 4.56 though.

RandyQuickXJ

Alright, I have talked to a few people also that have 4.56 gears with 35s too and they were really happy so ill most likely just do that, and after I get gears ill install a trans temperature gauge so I can see what I'm running

ZINGGG

Good plan, sir.

Tom95YJ

I had 5.13's in my 95yj but it also had front and rear d44's on 36's

RandyQuickXJ

I may run 35's but thats maximum tire size i will go for around here at least