So, heres the deal. TOTAL newbie with TJ`s. Always wanted one and a nice little 2,5 found its way to my garage the other day.
Disclaimer:
Norwegian, so my spelling and grammer, for shure will be off.
I have googled, checked threads, watched youtube video´s and so forth, but i would rather get an answer for my case specifically.
Checked with previous owner , who states the car is good, no issues and so on.. bla bla.
- Well, the radiator has a leak but thats an easy fix.
INTRO
The car is a 2,5L I4 manual 1997.
Now heres the deal, it came lifted and with 35`s. 35x12,5R15 to be exact. I checked the axels and its the original 35 and 30. I belive its the 3,73 gears, but i can see motortrend writes "The Axle Ratios For The '97 30 And 35c Went Unchanged From YJ Years. The 2.5L With Manual Trans Got 4.11s For The Manual". I can get it up to around 45-50 MPH no issues, and its surprisingly quick for a barn door in first and second gear if i rev it up there. Its 50-55 thats the problem. Have not tried 60MPH with it.
No rust to speak of, but a lot of small issues with paint. The cracked interior (door ) and so forth. But planning on doing all the cosmetics with it this winter, also going to re-paint ( Raptor, yes i know a lot of you hate it, but: my car, my rules ). While its down I can do the rear dana, or even both.
PLAN & Questions
From what i found the little 2,5 engine, is the engine that could. ( Except tuning for more power as it will compensate ) But the dana´s are not.
Is it correct that the engine likes RPMs around 2500-3000?
I was planning on going 5,13 as the RPM would be around:
4TH 3120 @ 65 MPH
5TH 2460 @ 65 MPH
Upgrading the 35 to super 35
Any reason to rather go 4,88?
Should i do something with the dana 30 in front?
Been looking around ebay, found this kit, would not set be back to much as a DANA 44 would. Then another $500 for the super35 if im not WAY off and need more parts?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3343955753...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
Kit is all i need?
Another disclaimer
65 is the max speed limit around here.
I am NOT planning on going off road.
City driver, but a highway drive now and again would be nice.
There IS snow and ice up here.
I am used to big tires, been driving an arctic truck with 37`s and a 2018 Gladiator. So i know its aerodynamics is like a barn door and everything over 60 MPH is both hands on the wheel and pray on not hitting a bump.
I am used to taking things apart and putting them back together, and if in doubt: I film and mark everything as i go. If all else fails: Youtube
Going forward
In time im planning on buying a ZJ Grand Cherokee and doing the 5,2 swap. As if i have understood the threads correctly, if i buy the car as a whole, it pretty much has all i need. But for now i would like to get it pretty and " safe-ish" to use as a city driver.
Disclaimer:
Norwegian, so my spelling and grammer, for shure will be off.
I have googled, checked threads, watched youtube video´s and so forth, but i would rather get an answer for my case specifically.
Checked with previous owner , who states the car is good, no issues and so on.. bla bla.
- Well, the radiator has a leak but thats an easy fix.
INTRO
The car is a 2,5L I4 manual 1997.
Now heres the deal, it came lifted and with 35`s. 35x12,5R15 to be exact. I checked the axels and its the original 35 and 30. I belive its the 3,73 gears, but i can see motortrend writes "The Axle Ratios For The '97 30 And 35c Went Unchanged From YJ Years. The 2.5L With Manual Trans Got 4.11s For The Manual". I can get it up to around 45-50 MPH no issues, and its surprisingly quick for a barn door in first and second gear if i rev it up there. Its 50-55 thats the problem. Have not tried 60MPH with it.
No rust to speak of, but a lot of small issues with paint. The cracked interior (door ) and so forth. But planning on doing all the cosmetics with it this winter, also going to re-paint ( Raptor, yes i know a lot of you hate it, but: my car, my rules ). While its down I can do the rear dana, or even both.
PLAN & Questions
From what i found the little 2,5 engine, is the engine that could. ( Except tuning for more power as it will compensate ) But the dana´s are not.
Is it correct that the engine likes RPMs around 2500-3000?
I was planning on going 5,13 as the RPM would be around:
4TH 3120 @ 65 MPH
5TH 2460 @ 65 MPH
Upgrading the 35 to super 35
Any reason to rather go 4,88?
Should i do something with the dana 30 in front?
Been looking around ebay, found this kit, would not set be back to much as a DANA 44 would. Then another $500 for the super35 if im not WAY off and need more parts?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3343955753...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
Kit is all i need?
Another disclaimer
65 is the max speed limit around here.
I am NOT planning on going off road.
City driver, but a highway drive now and again would be nice.
There IS snow and ice up here.
I am used to big tires, been driving an arctic truck with 37`s and a 2018 Gladiator. So i know its aerodynamics is like a barn door and everything over 60 MPH is both hands on the wheel and pray on not hitting a bump.
I am used to taking things apart and putting them back together, and if in doubt: I film and mark everything as i go. If all else fails: Youtube
Going forward
In time im planning on buying a ZJ Grand Cherokee and doing the 5,2 swap. As if i have understood the threads correctly, if i buy the car as a whole, it pretty much has all i need. But for now i would like to get it pretty and " safe-ish" to use as a city driver.
