Gearing opinions (I know ANOTHER one) but for a 2.5 with Dana 489's

[chaseb913]

I have a 98 Jeep SE with 2.5L and AX-5. I know, i know! But I acquired it at an AMAZING price AND I personally did all the work and maintenance on it for the last 10ish years the previous owner had it. It runs great and I couldn't find anything anywhere close to it for the price I paid. I am ready to start putting some money into it and start having a good time with it. So I ordered some Dana 489's for front and rear. So i need to pick my gearing .... I think I already know what everyone is going to say but I am just looking for some knowledge from you guys that have been there done that as far as gears are concerned... this is my first time having something geared properly. I will be running 35's . With that all my research has me looking at 5.13 or 5.38 gears .... I am strongly leaning towards the 5.38's. I know it won't be fast on the freeway ...it never has been. But I am looking for a little bit of street manors for weekend cruising and driving to the trails within an hour or two. I do NOT daily drive this jeep. But I do want to hit some decent trails as my driving experience grows with the Jeep...I have already checked out http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html ....I do have goals of one day making it to the Rubicon and maybe even Moab one day. Right now I am taking it a step at a time but building with the future in mind. Any advice on gearing would be appreciated as i only wish to do this step once.. there are tons of threads out there but everyone's exact situation and rig are completely different.

 

[Wildman]

I have a 98 Jeep SE with 2.5L and AX-5. I know, i know! But I acquired it at an AMAZING price AND I personally did all the work and maintenance on it for the last 10ish years the previous owner had it. It runs great and I couldn't find anything anywhere close to it for the price I paid. I am ready to start putting some money into it and start having a good time with it. So I ordered some Dana 489's for front and rear. So i need to pick my gearing .... I think I already know what everyone is going to say but I am just looking for some knowledge from you guys that have been there done that as far as gears are concerned... this is my first time having something geared properly. I will be running 35's . With that all my research has me looking at 5.13 or 5.38 gears .... I am strongly leaning towards the 5.38's. I know it won't be fast on the freeway ...it never has been. But I am looking for a little bit of street manors for weekend cruising and driving to the trails within an hour or two. I do NOT daily drive this jeep. But I do want to hit some decent trails as my driving experience grows with the Jeep...I have already checked out http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html ....I do have goals of one day making it to the Rubicon and maybe even Moab one day. Right now I am taking it a step at a time but building with the future in mind. Any advice on gearing would be appreciated as i only wish to do this step once.. there are tons of threads out there but everyone's exact situation and rig are completely different.

I ran 4.88 gears and 33" tires which finally allowed me to use 5th gear again. 18 months later I swapped to 35" tires and couldn't use 5th again so I would say 5.38's would be my go to or lower if you can get them. One thing to remember is that you can run that 4 popper at 3K RPM's all day long and I used to wrap it up to 5K RPM's climbing Snoqualmie pass.
So IMO you would be cruising right at the right RPM at 70MPH with 5.38 but as I said if you can get lower I would.

 

[JoseA]

Not to derail this thread but what's a Dana 489?

 

[Wildman]

Not to derail this thread but what's a Dana 489?

Built by East Coast Gear Supply


https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/search.html?q=489

 

[machoheadgames]

5.38’s for sure. 4.88 for 31’s, 5.13 for 33’s, 5.38 for 35’s.

 

[JoseA]

Built by East Coast Gear Supply


https://eastcoastgearsupply.com/search.html?q=489

I knew that it was the one from ECGS but not sure what dana 489 means. Is it like a dana 44?

 

[HornedToad]

For that setup as low as your axles will allow you to go which is probably 5.13. If you could do 5.38 that would be great but you need a Dana 44 front and rear to do that.

 

[Wildman]

I knew that it was the one from ECGS but not sure what dana 489 means. Is it like a dana 44?

It's ECGS version of a beefed up Dana 44. They are using the JK Dana 44 center section if I remember correctly.

For that setup as low as your axles will allow you to go which is probably 5.13. If you could do 5.38 that would be great but you need a Dana 44 front and rear to do that.

He can get 5.38's for it.

 

[chaseb913]

Not to derail this thread but what's a Dana 489?

It's ECGS version of a beefed up Dana 44. They are using the JK Dana 44 center section if I remember correctly.



He can get 5.38's for it.

Wildman is right, its basically a Hybrid 44... Jk center section ... I am still working with ECGS's customer service on finalizing everything.

Thanks you all for the input and basically confirming 5.38's would be a good choice.

 

[Duck Doctor]

You’re going to like that axle. Runnning one in the rear of my YJ with 35 spline chromoly shafts, ARB, and disc brakes. Been a great axle the past five years.

 

[chaseb913]

You’re going to like that axle. Runnning one in the rear of my YJ with 35 spline chromoly shafts, ARB, and disc brakes. Been a great axle the past five years.

I’m pumped and can’t wait ! I would have went 35 spline but locker selection gets very limited.

 

[Wildman]

I’m pumped and can’t wait ! I would have went 35 spline but locker selection gets very limited.

Can you weld? Or have access to a welder?
There has been a few threads on here about the Artec brackets not playing well with other parts. So if you can weld I'd think about not getting the front axle with brackets and then get ones that work better and weld them on yourself.

Try doing a search for ECGS and see if you can find the threads.

EDIT:

Front axle
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/ecgs-front-axle-cant-turn-right.68741/
Rear axle
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/ecgs-spring-perches.72023/#post-1365090

And I think there were a few more/

 

[chaseb913]

Can you weld? Or have access to a welder?
There has been a few threads on here about the Artec brackets not playing well with other parts. So if you can weld I'd think about not getting the front axle with brackets and then get ones that work better and weld them on yourself.

Try doing a search for ECGS and see if you can find the threads.

I can not weld .. that’s why I went with these axles to have a “bolt-in” experience . I have done a lot of searches on ECGS and never seen this pop up unless I didn’t notice it . I’ll have to search again. My suspension setup is pretty basic… for now . Also the first time I have heard the words “Artec Brackets” . All I know about the brackets is that ECGS told me most of them have multiple adjustments for different types of lift kits and set ups.

 

[Wildman]

I can not weld .. that’s why I went with these axles to have a “bolt-in” experience . I have done a lot of searches on ECGS and never seen this pop up unless I didn’t notice it . I’ll have to search again. My suspension setup is pretty basic… for now . Also the first time I have heard the words “Artec Brackets” . All I know about the brackets is that ECGS told me most of them have multiple adjustments for different types of lift kits and set ups.

I linked the two more recent threads. Now I've read other threads where people were happy with the axles. So maybe these were the few that got thru?
Just trying to help you not have issues later.

BTW, I started with a SE also. I have a V-8 now but there are times I miss my 4 angry squirrels. And there are some other SE owners on here. Check out @ArmyRN he has a really nicely built TJ and has towed a trailer behind it too.

 

[chaseb913]

I linked the two more recent threads. Now I've read other threads where people were happy with the axles. So maybe these were the few that got thru?
Just trying to help you not have issues later.

BTW, I started with a SE also. I have a V-8 now but there are times I miss my 4 angry squirrels. And there are some other SE owners on here. Check out @ArmyRN he has a really nicely built TJ and has towed a trailer behind it too.

Wow thank you for the links! I should have joined the forum sooner . You guys are all full of good information and wisdom .. are “Artec Brackets” a brand ? Or a style of brackets ? I’m definitely doing some more homework on the matter . That post about the front axle not turning is not making me feel good . But I can see what you are saying . Seems a handful of people aren’t happy with Artec Brackets and that it’s a common issue .

I’ve seen your build page before! I recently became a member but I’ve been reading around the forums for a while now. You have come up in my 2.5 searches I’m sure .

 

[Wildman]

Wow thank you for the links! I should have joined the forum sooner . You guys are all full of good information and wisdom .. are “Artec Brackets” a brand ? Or a style of brackets ? I’m definitely doing some more homework on the matter . That post about the front axle not turning is not making me feel good . But I can see what you are saying . Seems a handful of people aren’t happy with Artec Brackets and that it’s a common issue .

I’ve seen your build page before! I recently became a member but I’ve been reading around the forums for a while now. You have come up in my 2.5 searches I’m sure .

Artec is a company that makes parts for 4x4's

https://artecindustries.com/

There are better companies for TJ brackets as many here will agree with. The thing is if you can get ECGS to use something else than Artec.

 

[JoseA]

Have you looked into currie axles? I think they make front and rear dana 44s

 

[chaseb913]

Artec is a company that makes parts for 4x4's

https://artecindustries.com/

There are better companies for TJ brackets as many here will agree with. The thing is if you can get ECGS to use something else than Artec.

I read all about the issues with Artec Brackets last night … just got off the phone with ECGS and they said they make their own brackets in house . They mentioned they knew about fitment issues with the Artec Brackets. I’m hoping this isn’t an issue for me . But I’m grateful you shined some light on this for me . It’s definitely going to be something to watch for.

 

[chaseb913]

Have you looked into currie axles? I think they make front and rear dana 44s

I did … it was between Currie and ECGS for me … with ECGS I am getting rear disc brakes and RCV front shafts and unit bearings all pre assembled

 

[txbemis69]

please keep us updated on the ecgs 489’s. i’ve been looking at them myself for a while.