Bought my first Jeep, but it needs alterations (or I need to find a different TJ)

[tworley]

Mine was a daily for 7 years and 100k miles and most of that was on 35s. I drove all over the state of Colorado. When I had 4.56 gears and 33s, 19 mpg was not uncommon. The 5.13s and 35s is 15 mpg.

Regear
Install adjustable control arms
Install an SYE
Get better shocks
Verify alignment/steering
Get whatever other creature comforts you want/need.

 

[Rickyd]

My 44 came with 3.55, there were years where that wasn’t a thing?

3.55 is 97 only

 

[lBasket]

Mine was a daily for 7 years and 100k miles and most of that was on 35s. I drove all over the state of Colorado. When I had 4.56 gears and 33s, 19 mpg was not uncommon. The 5.13s and 35s is 15 mpg.

Regear
Install adjustable control arms
Install an SYE
Get better shocks
Verify alignment/steering
Get whatever other creature comforts you want/need.

Wow 19 really? That's amazing

 

[jjvw]

Wow 19 really? That's amazing

I got 20mpg on mine once back on 33s, 4.88, 5 speed.

 

[lBasket]

I got 20mpg on mine once back on 33s, 4.88, 5 speed.

Dang. I don't think I've ever gotten over 15 on mine. I was hoping not being severely under geared with the new gears would help but they didn't change it a bit.

 

[B1Toad]

If the OP really wants to keep it what about starting with a set of smaller wheels and tires and go from there? That might make the commute and MPG more bearable and buy some time so he can work on the steering and suspension as time and money allows and at the same time make a decision on whether or not to keep a set of 35's and re-gear or stick with smaller tires and lower the lift.

 

[JMT]

If the OP really wants to keep it what about starting with a set of smaller wheels and tires and go from there? That might make the commute and MPG more bearable and buy some time so he can work on the steering and suspension as time and money allows and at the same time make a decision on whether or not to keep a set of 35's and re-gear or stick with smaller tires and lower the lift.

Man, if I were him I’d just buy a closer to stock TJ. That thing looks like a nightmare and that’s just the surface.

 

[JMT]

Dang. I don't think I've ever gotten over 15 on mine. I was hoping not being severely under geared with the new gears would help but they didn't change it a bit.

This^^^never bested 15mpg. Lifetime average is 12.39mpg.

 

[jjvw]

If the OP really wants to keep it what about starting with a set of smaller wheels and tires and go from there? That might make the commute and MPG more bearable and buy some time so he can work on the steering and suspension as time and money allows and at the same time make a decision on whether or not to keep a set of 35's and re-gear or stick with smaller tires and lower the lift.

If the OP really wants to keep it as a comfortable daily driver, then he needs to sort out the existing build and focus on a regear to 5.13.

 

[jjvw]

This^^^never bested 15mpg. Lifetime average is 12.39mpg.

Way back on 33s, I frequently got 16s and several 19s.

 

[dvngdg]

I'd keep the half doors, and sell the rest !!

 

[TheBoogieman]

This^^^never bested 15mpg. Lifetime average is 12.39mpg.

I know of a guy that got 42mpg. Unfortunately, he's been banned from all the Jeep forums he was on so he can't spread his knowledge with you. He's still popular on the Pokémon forum I believe.
RIP Bohuggabee. You WILL NOT be missed.

 

[g.hayduke]

For the gearing, jack it up and mark a tire and the pinion. Rotate that tire one full revolution and count the number of times the pinion goes around. You're most likely looking at 3.07, 3.55, or 3.73 as the factory gearing.

If you only raise 1 tire with the other on the ground, the pinion will turn 2X what the ratio is. IOW, for example, with 1 tire on the ground and rotating the other 1 revolution, if the pinion turns barely over 6 revolutions, you have 3.07 gears. This is more accurate than having both tires off the ground unless you engage a locker because the tire you are pushing on will probably be rotating a little faster than the other one , throwing off the measurement and giving a lower than accurate count on the pinion rotations.

 

[JMT]

Way back on 33s, I frequently got 16s and several 19s.

I see that. I’m surprised. When I was on 33’s 6-speed and geared 4.56 I still didn’t best 15mpg. A lot of my driving was highway at that time too.

 

[Rickyd]

33's,4.10,ax15,4.6l stroker 15-17mpg is normal. It's consistently 17 if i go 40-50mph behind tourists

 

[Jonny D.]

I have copied down all of your instructions. I will get to work completing them.

Thank you.

I think a good place to start is to inspect all of the suspension for wear. I will take more pictures underneath so you all can help me understand exactly what I have.

I will also look at getting 33 inch tires and see how it looks with the lift.

Money is a factor, and I don’t want any more cars, so this is going to be my daily commuter one way or another.

So I’m less worried about gas mileage, and more worried about making it safe for myself and others on the road.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Mine was a daily for 7 years and 100k miles and most of that was on 35s. I drove all over the state of Colorado. When I had 4.56 gears and 33s, 19 mpg was not uncommon. The 5.13s and 35s is 15 mpg.

Regear
Install adjustable control arms
Install an SYE
Get better shocks
Verify alignment/steering
Get whatever other creature comforts you want/need.

You, Tyler, are a hyper-miler. I can't even go 19 miles on 2 gallons...

 

[GregBelleville]

Buy a $1000 disposable commuter box for gas mileage.

Cheaper than any modifications.

-Mac

Does the $1000 driveable shit box still exist?

 

[jjvw]

I see that. I’m surprised. When I was on 33’s 6-speed and geared 4.56 I still didn’t best 15mpg. A lot of my driving was highway at that time too.

One of the surprises from driving to Moab this year was averaging mid-15s on the 700 mile highway round trip from home.

 

[macleanflood]

Does the $1000 driveable shit box still exist?