From 3:55 to 3:73, my experience
11-01-2009, 09:20 PM
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From 3:55 to 3:73 (Yukon), my experience
I have an 07 STX 4x4 with a 4.6 v8. It has been underpowered since I drove it off the lot. I blew a tire at 3k miles and upgraded to 265/70/17's, which was a couple sizes bigger than the Ameritrac highway treads that came on it. It had less power.
I installed a camper/topper, it had even less umph. I started towing a 25' travel-trailer and I screamed.
On the highway, I got 15 mpg's, and with mixed driving around 13.5 mpg (no that was without a trailer). Towing I got around 10mpg.
I couldn't take it anymore and went to my local 4x4 mechanic who has done all my Jeep Wrangler upgrades for years. He suggested 3:73's in front and rear since that was a factory option and would not void the warranty. He did it, parts and labor, for $850 (front AND rear, Yukon gears).
I just returned from my first trip. I got over 17mpg's in mixed driving (towing (30 miles), 4x4 (30 miles of deep, beach sand), and 200 highway miles. I'm guessing I would top 18 mpg's in straight highway driving. The difference in towing power was considerable.
Given my experience, it was worth the money as I was considering buying a new 4x4!
I installed a camper/topper, it had even less umph. I started towing a 25' travel-trailer and I screamed.
On the highway, I got 15 mpg's, and with mixed driving around 13.5 mpg (no that was without a trailer). Towing I got around 10mpg.
I couldn't take it anymore and went to my local 4x4 mechanic who has done all my Jeep Wrangler upgrades for years. He suggested 3:73's in front and rear since that was a factory option and would not void the warranty. He did it, parts and labor, for $850 (front AND rear, Yukon gears).
I just returned from my first trip. I got over 17mpg's in mixed driving (towing (30 miles), 4x4 (30 miles of deep, beach sand), and 200 highway miles. I'm guessing I would top 18 mpg's in straight highway driving. The difference in towing power was considerable.
Given my experience, it was worth the money as I was considering buying a new 4x4!
Last edited by skfullen; 11-04-2009 at 06:50 PM.
11-01-2009, 11:06 PM
#4
I personally think re-gearing was the right thing to do... You had bigger tires, and needed more towing power, Re-gearing is the common sense answer. And obviously you had pretty good improvements and Im sure it really woke up the truck. Sure you could have done a programmer, but you still can in the future and you will get even more performance out of your truck. Not only that but 850 out the door for parts and labor is pretty damn good and a full re-gear front and rear!
11-01-2009, 11:07 PM
#5
December 2009 TOTM!
Wow...
That's awesome the mod helped you get what you wanted. I do think a tuner would of done the same improvements for about $400, but $850 to get re-geared that's a deal right there!
If I could get re-geared 4.56s for $850 I'd do it in a heartbeat.
That's awesome the mod helped you get what you wanted. I do think a tuner would of done the same improvements for about $400, but $850 to get re-geared that's a deal right there!
If I could get re-geared 4.56s for $850 I'd do it in a heartbeat.
11-01-2009, 11:08 PM
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Thanks, I appreciate the level-headed responses. I was actually shocked that I got the increases MPG's. I was only looking for a little extra power to tow the trailer on 100-150 mile trips to the deer-lease and over a couple of tall bridges between Houston and the coast.
