Gear ratio
03-16-2021, 12:47 PM
#31
CF Veteran
Sometimes it's better for the purpose YOU or WE specifically want to do with our Jeeps to make them a little more offroad capable than stock.... however, I'd take that with a big grain of salt.... because here we are modifying something that was designed by highly trained engineers that truly know what they are doing. So modifying that could have a "negative" affect even though it is getting us the end result that we want for whatever reason/purpose
03-16-2021, 12:49 PM
#32
CF Veteran
I haven't priced U-bolts here. Today I'm going to a parts store in the city
so I'll put them on the list to ask about.
The U-bolts I have now are long ones (brand ProComp) that I bought
maybe 10 years ago in the US. I have changed the spring pack (broken
springs, added leaves) several times, so they have been loosened and
tightened maybe six or eight times. They are holding up so far and get lots
of rough use. I have seen it written that they should be replaced every time
they are removed, but I have never seen a forum post about broken U-bolts,
so I assume that is very rare. If I ever break one, I'll have to post it. The Jeep
passes the govt inspection every year and I refuse to give the inspectors a bribe.
so I'll put them on the list to ask about.
The U-bolts I have now are long ones (brand ProComp) that I bought
maybe 10 years ago in the US. I have changed the spring pack (broken
springs, added leaves) several times, so they have been loosened and
tightened maybe six or eight times. They are holding up so far and get lots
of rough use. I have seen it written that they should be replaced every time
they are removed, but I have never seen a forum post about broken U-bolts,
so I assume that is very rare. If I ever break one, I'll have to post it. The Jeep
passes the govt inspection every year and I refuse to give the inspectors a bribe.
03-16-2021, 01:49 PM
#33
CF Veteran
I have done spring jobs on lots of vehicles over the years. Many times I wouldn't reuse the U bolts. But if you take care of them by putting antiseize on the threads and don't over torque them and torque them evenly, you can reuse them many times. I have had my stuff on the XJ apart three times, and they will be good for a fourth time around
03-16-2021, 02:00 PM
#34
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
do you think that 31's on D35 w/Factory LSD with 3.55 is just not advised under any condition? I'm sitting on 235s now, but they are on their way out...and wanted to go a little larger, but dont want to have to mess with re-gearing to do so.
Do you really lose that much staying at that ratio on say 31s?
Do you really lose that much staying at that ratio on say 31s?
03-17-2021, 09:04 AM
#35
CF Veteran
good to know....I've never been heavy on the skinny with the old XJ....but didn't want to blindly run something that was just not a wise idea....and cause even worse "performance" than the brick already has.
Props to the OP here... good conversation on gearing.
Props to the OP here... good conversation on gearing.
03-17-2021, 10:14 AM
#36
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Agreed. Good discussion. For the OP who used to be on 215/75-15 tires with 3.55 gearing, changing up to 235/75-15 (29") or even 30" tires will feel more sluggish since those small 215 tires will effectively give you pretty "sporty" and responsive gearing with the stock 3.55 rear end. Short gearing like that also feels faster than it really is since the shift points relative to MPH are lower as well. It's like Miata gearing or that sort of thing. I'm on 30" tires with 3.55 gearing, and and the gearing is arguably a tad long, but switching to 4.11 would probably be a tad too short for all the road trips I take with my Cherokee, plus the cost of regearing. If I were on 31" tires, I might consider it.
Last edited by IJM; 03-17-2021 at 10:17 AM.
03-17-2021, 01:58 PM
#38
CF Veteran
Good point EZ.... I have heard of people rubbing on the LCA's at or near full lock with that size tire... Planned on having one test fitted front and back to see if there are clearance issues before committing. I'm not into changing out my wheels. They are staying stock.
03-17-2021, 02:43 PM
#39
CF Veteran
Under certain situations my 235's would hit the LCA's when mounted on the OEM steel rims. I've heard you can adjust the steering stops to run 31's but I can't imagine how much of your turning radius you'd lose.
03-17-2021, 03:10 PM
#40
CF Veteran
I also dont want to go crazy big... 31's would be the largest I'd run on the current setup as I'm running 355s with LSD in the rear.
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