Xtreme 4x4 Expedition Jeep Grand Cherokee

[jeep-N-montero]

Just one more comment, Then I'm done. No reason to kick a dead horse but I just asked my buddy who runs 4:88s in his XJ. At 70MPH he is running at 2500RPM. Not even close to 3K. Thats only 200 RPM more than mine with 4:56 and right in line with what it should be. This guy also knows his stuff. Check his build thread. He would wipe the floor with those dudes on Xtreeme. http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=913774

I'm glad someone brought it up, see below for why 4.88's and 33's suck in a Grand, completely different final drive than an XJ.

What transmissions are you guys talking about?

42RE
1st: 2.74
2nd: 1.54
3rd: 1.00
4th: 0.69

AW4
1st - 2.804
2nd - 1.531
3rd - 1.00
4th - .753

AX-15
1st 3.83
2nd 2.33
3rd 1.44
4th 1.00
5th 0.79

AX-5
1ST 3.93
2ND 2.33
3RD 1.45
4TH 1.00
5TH .85

 

[bob91yj]

I'd think with that deep of a final drive (.69) the 4.88's would be preferable over 4.56's. I went with 5.13's on my LJ (auto) with metric 35's. The math works out to about an 8% under drive compared to factory numbers in my case, I'm happy with it, no down shift every time I see a hill coming, no real fuel economy hit either.

 

[K2ZJ]

I'd think with that deep of a final drive (.69) the 4.88's would be preferable over 4.56's. I went with 5.13's on my LJ (auto) with metric 35's. The math works out to about an 8% under drive compared to factory numbers in my case, I'm happy with it, no down shift every time I see a hill coming, no real fuel economy hit either.

I initially thought the same thing, however, it is counter intuitive. It was designed for that gearing, .69, when you go to 4.88s you are changing that final drive to .79 or .85? and not keeping it near where it was designed to run at .69. Does that make sense?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I am sticking to my guns on this one, having owned both a 4.0 and 5.2 Grand with 4.56's I know from actual experience that 4.88's and 33's will suck some serious sausage(and gas).

 

[DrMoab]

You are still wrong.

 

[doogie]

I say we cut him some slack. Whether he did it completely wrong or right, EXPO is the new buzz word these days. It's over used and mis-applied just like LCG. He is bringing EXPO to the masses and introducing EXPO to guys and gals that might not otherwise have heard of it. He's building a well built, semi light duty trail rig, that is the tow rig for an expedition trailer. He doesn't need to throw in a fridge or sleeping acomodations into the rig, he has the trailer.

As far as gears, the difference in 4.56 and 4.88's isn't that large, my personal opinion is you can't be over geared. 4.0's don't mind to rev and ZJ/WJ's are porkers. Not to mention it's being built from the word go to tow a trailer. Throw in bumpers, gear, trailer and I would say pushing 6,000 lbs and beyond wouldn't be out of the question. The first mtn pass you go over that has a little altitude to it and you would be begging for 4.88's. Don't get me wrong 4.56 isn't a bad ratio, an empty or normally loaded daily rig cruising to/down the trail or across county will achieve better mileage and attain more attractive revs. But a heavy rig that will spend it's life loaded with gear and towing a trailer.....give me the 4.88's.

 

[bat]

You guy's crack me up with this Expo vehicle title.

 

[bldeagle10]

@Doogie, pretty much my idea, I am stepping up to 31s when I lift my XJ, this calls for regearing from 3.55 to 3.73 for basically stock performance, but I know I will be towing ALOT and be loaded down at that point in the build so I am going to 4.10's. I think what you have to say is pretty spot on.

 

[Logans91XJ]

I agree

You guy's crack me up with this Expo vehicle title.

 

[SSF556]

I think if they really wanted to emulate the overland scene, perhaps they should have used a Wranger, or 4Runner, Land Cruiser, FJ, or Land Rover. Sorry if I don't list them all, but a Jeep Cherokee?
They said you wouldn't wan to pull the trailer behind a Wrangler. It's a small trailer, why not.
They also always seem to gravitate to Rusty's for anything Jeep.

My diesel Grand Cherokee disagrees with you....

 

[Gooseberry]

It kinda looks like they are heading down the wrong path and truly not understanding what we do or want to do with our rigs. With that said they might be starting with this as a base cheap build and then build it better in a future show?

Rusty's is a big time paying sponser and pretty much the easy install for most people.

 

[DrMoab]

Rusty's is a big time paying sponser and pretty much the easy install for most people.

Which is really unfortunate.

 

[FreeManDan]

I think he shoulda gone with a ford van and converted it to 4x4 himself, similar year model F 250/350 front axle, transfer case adapter or divorced transfer case...all that sort of thing. But if he really wanted to cheer up the Jeep crowd the low dollar wheeler would have fit the bill, the scratch built scrambler if it could be made street legal (it was a duel fuel), or even carjack the LJ trucks did:sombrero: or how bout a AEV brute build :drool:

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I say we cut him some slack. Whether he did it completely wrong or right, EXPO is the new buzz word these days. It's over used and mis-applied just like LCG. He is bringing EXPO to the masses and introducing EXPO to guys and gals that might not otherwise have heard of it. He's building a well built, semi light duty trail rig, that is the tow rig for an expedition trailer. He doesn't need to throw in a fridge or sleeping acomodations into the rig, he has the trailer.

As far as gears, the difference in 4.56 and 4.88's isn't that large, my personal opinion is you can't be over geared. 4.0's don't mind to rev and ZJ/WJ's are porkers. Not to mention it's being built from the word go to tow a trailer. Throw in bumpers, gear, trailer and I would say pushing 6,000 lbs and beyond wouldn't be out of the question. The first mtn pass you go over that has a little altitude to it and you would be begging for 4.88's. Don't get me wrong 4.56 isn't a bad ratio, an empty or normally loaded daily rig cruising to/down the trail or across county will achieve better mileage and attain more attractive revs. But a heavy rig that will spend it's life loaded with gear and towing a trailer.....give me the 4.88's.

My 4.0 with 4.56's cruises up the pass at 70mph just fine with trailer in tow, and we have real passes out here ranging from 6k-11k feet.

 

[Frank]

I watched the show last night, episode 3, and I liked the way it ended up turning out.

Does anyone know what trailer it was that they pulled with the g. cherokee? There is a huge decal across the back of the trailer...

I thought I emailed it to myself to check out at work but it looks like my ipad failed at that.