Upfit My Jeep JL

[Motorhome1]

I’m getting 17 out of my JL with 8 speed around town. It’s only got 1600 miles on it so I’m expecting more when it’s loosened up

[FOURWHL]

3.6 is a different beast entirely. Which is why I won’t comment on the new JL drive trains without some experience. In the end I think milage helps a lot from gearing. Also I’ve got a manual trans so get to pick the gears.

I find most of the time it hovers around 17 but just so happend to check the display that day to see an 18. Definitely a lot of highway but I find it’s similar in the city since I’m not fighting the wind quite so much

[RV Randy]

Originally Posted by wfo9

Because I've seen it work and it is fine even in the mountains... Transmission is torque multiplication just like the ring and pinion is. You can put the reduction wherever you like. In general, more speeds give you a more versatile drive-train. The main advantage to R&P reduction over a wider range transmission with more speeds is the the torque multiplication is isolated further back..

37s on a JK with stock gearing would be pretty painful. it seems to be quite livable in a JL Rubicon. I'm sure you need 7th gear more often than stock, but no biggie. BTW it's a 2.0 gas motor.. not a diesel.

Totally agree that around town you may be OK with the 8 spd. But, once the torque converter is locked up at highway speed you will still be running in 6 or 7 when you should be running in 7 or 8. And when you go down a slight hill on the highway and it shifts into 7 or 8, it will start down shifting or hunting back & forth as soon as you hit bottom, eventually ending up back in 6 or 7.

Being gas it will have less low end torque. I hope I'm wrong, the OP needs to post up how it performs if he does go to 37's without changing gearing. You learn something new every day.

[steverkemp]

Ok, attached here are two bids from two reputable shops here in town. I still haven't made up my mind between the 35s and the 37s and am watching the discussion carefully. The guy who bid the Mopart kit is actually just using it as a placeholder because he is waiting for Terraflex to release pricing later this week. Should be in the same ballpark.

Thanks for everyone's help and feedback.

Here are the other sliders I'm considering. Apparently the steps bolt on/off to make it easy to remove for crawling. https://na01.safelinks.protection.ou...%3D&reserved=0

[wfo9]

Originally Posted by steverkemp

Ok, attached here are two bids from two reputable shops here in town. I still haven't made up my mind between the 35s and the 37s and am watching the discussion carefully. The guy who bid the Mopart kit is actually just using it as a placeholder because he is waiting for Terraflex to release pricing later this week. Should be in the same ballpark.

Thanks for everyone's help and feedback.

Here are the other sliders I'm considering. Apparently the steps bolt on/off to make it easy to remove for crawling. https://na01.safelinks.protection.ou...%3D&reserved=0

I'll give you my advice again (although you don't want to hear it LOL). Don't waste your money...

Put on some tires, wheels, and a winch at most (just buy a cheap winch as they are all about the same.. knowing how to use and rig a recovery is much more important than the brand). See if it does what you want. Learn the limits and how to actually drive it off-road. If the clearance is an issue for the terrain, slap on a very basic lift. If you still want more and find an actual need.. do some research based on your needs and get a setup will do what you want. It comes very well equipped from the factory and has more capability than you have nerve/skill.

I don't understand buying stuff that will not be used and is less reliable than factory equipment.

Now if you max out the factory equipment and just want to push limits for fun.. by all means buy some stuff.. but at least know why you are doing it.

[steverkemp]

Sounds like sage advice. This may seem stupid to you but I have always wanted a big lifted Jeep. You’re right though, it’s not like I have to run out and throw a bunch of money at it immediately. We’ll see.... but seriously, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[wfo9]

Originally Posted by steverkemp

Sounds like sage advice. This may seem stupid to you but I have always wanted a big lifted Jeep. You’re right though, it’s not like I have to run out and throw a bunch of money at it immediately. We’ll see.... but seriously, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

That's fine if you want it big... Just match Kevin's build. It's hardly any money invested and works fantastic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRVj...ature=youtu.be

[Jammer151]

You could also do this....

[steverkemp]

Originally Posted by Jammer151

You could also do this....

Attachment 184062

LOL

[Kenny kustom]

The 2.0L will be fine.
Almost everyone uses a 2L.
Look at AMG pushing about 350hp out of theirs.

That 3.0L diesel is a glorious motor.

I wouldn't dump all that 10k in right away.
Get it setup for flat towing, maybe a 2" lift from evo offroad, a set of bfg ko 35's and go from there.

[Orangecrush]

Originally Posted by LTZ470

Nitto Terra Grappler G2 Size: 275/65R18 XL...5 lbs lighter than a stock tire... 18" light weight rims...17" is better for Jeeping offroad...

They make a Nitto Terra Grappler G2 LT it is a heavier truck tire and will weigh more than stock tires the XL is lighter in weight...

Heavy Bumpers, Rock Guards, Racks, Jacks, all equal to POOR performance and handling...keep the weight down at all cost...

I have taken my Jeep up through Rainbow Falls OHV in Colorado Stock Suspension (Keeping it lower to ground equates to better handling and stability period)

Did some rock trails in Arkansas a few months ago, no issues...

Mine is Super Charged with a Magnuson Charger 3.8L 2010 model...swapped gearing to 4.56...pull a 14ft trailer loaded with 3 X 500lb ATV's all day long at 80 mph with cruise control set...

They do make Fox Shocks for stock suspension (0"-2" Lift) just put a set on mine...I would run with stock suspension and IF I found that I required a lift it would probably be 2" only and the Fox shocks would still work...

Had too many Jeeps, too many superchargers and too many engine swaps under my belt to know that 3.8 supercharged or not isn't struggling pulling 3000 lbs at 80 mph. Sorry, you may be okay with it but even with 5.13 gears, that POS 3.8 couldn't get out of it's way. The ONLY way you would be able to accomplish that is by running 35's. 37's would kill that combo.


Mark

[Wrangler4X4]

Let me help(?), I have a 2013 JKU- 13A- special edition. It came with cool stuff that was replaced and upgraded- along with gearing. I now have 37's and 4.88's, it works reasonably well on and offload- depending on where I'm going- it's been for last couple years mostly a daily driver.

I have Toyota 4Runner that can't run pavement- but tears up off road: 43" tires, custom lift- hard to get into, with 4.10 gears. But I also have a 2.27 range box and a 4.3 transfer case- so it's always using some kind of reduction and often with both gear boxes. So the dual gear boxes make up axle gearing but complicate things.

I know with gear boxes you can make things work; but the best gear reduction is to have it where its needed at the wheels- the differential gearing. So you will always have a too wide ratio- unless you do something else.

The jeeps are capable of offload is stock condition; but it gets very expensive. Unless you can get big tires- you are always limited off road- and then limited on road.

My JK is built according to this forum; however not for real offload action. I have .25" plating across bottom and 3/16" steel plate for fenders, .25" DOM and rectangular tubing for sliders, dual winches, 4" lift, long arm suspension, Curry Anti rock, full cage and other stuff. It is not capable for most trails- it still does not have enough clearance. So when someone tells you a stock Rubicon can do this or that- I just smile- show me.

I have wheeled with 3.8 supercharged- 2 vehicles- long day, they ran out of gas after being trailered to trails- had to winch- just a long day. I drove hour to trails, all day long, home and still had 1/4 tank? The 3.6 or 4.0 are good engines for offload- not sure about turbo's- I've had them and expecting same issues that supercharges have. Poor drivability- most wheeling is low gearing, low speed, high torque and smooth power- the 3.6 is a great motor.

A buddy had a turbo in his toyota pickup, young guy- so drove it hard to go where the simple little toyota 22RE's were easily going. It eventually blew up and replaced with non turbo.

So I guess its a waiting game- see the new Jeeps in woods- we usually pull them out and escort them off trails. My home ORV is Elbe Hill, WA- the JK experience went there and the videos should be out there- they were all modified and pretty abused after trails. I haven't take JK offload at Elbe, for a couple years- it'll do trails with lots of winching; but why?

I hope I'm not ranting too much- just be warned- it's about the gearing.

[jalans11]

Here is my JL

2.5" lift
35s
Winch
Dual motor ARB compressor

[jalans11]

Here is my "Rock Crawler"

Way too many options to list.

[RV Randy]

Originally Posted by jalans11

Here is my "Rock Crawler"

Way too many options to list.

Dayum! Unless thats a midget sitting behind the wheel that sucker is big! Are those Rockwell axles? I also like the 12ga pump on the dash, always a nice accessory to have.

Some of us are considering a trip to Moab in Sept-Oct, you should bring it out.

How do you like the JL? Ive heard about them but interested to know how they are (options, differences, performance, etc) versus a JK? I have a 2015 4dr Rubicon.

[Force0321]

Holy crap Heeps are getting pricey!
I’d save a ton of money and just build an XJ.
I have $14k into this build including the price of the Heep.
‘96 XJ Country
6”+ of lift. Winch, lockers,gears etc etc...
Can’t get the damn pictures to post from this phone
Links:
http://www.flickr.com/gp/150982345@N03/7md62p
https://www.flickr.com/gp/150982345@N03/1vwAdK

[steverkemp]

The discussion on this thread has been awesome. There are some amazing Jeeps and rock crawlers out there.

So, I picked up my Jeep this week! First priority is the bumper so I can tow it using the D rings. Here is the bumper I like: https://www.addictivedesertdesigns.c...-F961232080103.

[Slolane]

Originally Posted by steverkemp

The discussion on this thread has been awesome. There are some amazing Jeeps and rock crawlers out there.

So, I picked up my Jeep this week! First priority is the bumper so I can tow it using the D rings. Here is the bumper I like: https://www.addictivedesertdesigns.c...-F961232080103.
Attachment 184332

Congrats on the new Rubicon

Let the mods begin!!

You do know what JEEP stands for, right?

[FOURWHL]

Bumper looks cool but I don’t see any recovery points what’s your plan for tow bar attachment? Or just d rings for off-road?

[wfo9]

Originally Posted by FOURWHL

Bumper looks cool but I don’t see any recovery points what’s your plan for tow bar attachment? Or just d rings for off-road?

They make clevis style adapters... for roadmasster towbars... https://www.etrailer.com/Base-Plates...er/RM-035.html

The problem with the ones on my bumper is they are still not in a place that allow for the needed swivel up and they are just too high... I'm going to have to weld new ones in down lower for my TOAD which has a custom built bumper.

A trailer is really so much easier to deal with.. But for many trips... trying to manage the trailer behind the RV seems like a PITA plus it's 2k + more weight to pull.

When I'm going to a specific destination... where I know the park... I like the trailer. But the unknown multi stops scenarios seems like a no go for the trailer.