But mud sensitivity is on the rise nonetheless. The ole salty dogs are fewer and fewer and web wheeling is becoming an actual pastime. I’m assuming those who say these gears are too noisy never drove a wide open fj40 with mud tires down the highway all day in 100 degree heat in order to get to the mountain and on the trail.
After market R&P sets usually make more noise than oem sets too. I know mine do. Should I call Just Differentisls and demand a resolution?
Mud sensitivity...
I HAVE the underdrive high range gears in my rig. I am considering pulling them out because my rig will spend far more time at 65-80 mph than crawling.
If didn’t care about the highway experience, I would ditch 80 series and go back to full size Jeeps, it’s tough and primative like the FJ40, and had a way better power to weight ratio than my 80 and way easier to work on and mod. I gave my 78 Cherokee Chief to my brother when I bought my 80 18 years ago. The few times we wheeled together, the Cherokee would sail through places where the 80 sunk in mud or snow, although the 80 rode way better.
My point is I hope that Mud doesn’t devolve into fiery clashes about off road styles, but focuses on data points based on experience so prospective buyers can make informed choices.
Over the years, I have made some good purchases based Mud recommendations and some that I really regretted.
I am trying to share my experience in a constructive manner.
Before I bought the gears, I read that they were a little noisier but posters generally said they didn’t notice it.
My experience: the 1:1.1s are on par with a set of mud tires on the highway, but higher pitched and get louder with speed. They are definitely noticeable even with mud tires because of the higher frequency and the source being right next to the driver.
Had it been explained to me that way, I might have reconsidered and saved up for 4.88 axle gears.
My point is if a prospective buyer is not a fan of mud tires make on the freeway, it’s likely they won’t like the 1.1s. If they could care less about the noise, then it’s an awesome low cost alternative to regearing axles.
I still need to have a minute to dig through the gears and determine if this is ideal for the under-drive or the over-drive sets, it simply can't be ideal for both any more than the stock gears work for both. I pinged a friend overseas that has been selling/using these overdrive/underdrive gears in builds for more than a decade, he wasn't even aware there was an aftermarket idler gear outside of stock applications.
Enjoy
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