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Not Enough Gears?

Not Enough Gears?
jzak

jzak

Old Time Jeeper
Posts
1,100
Media
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Thanks
38
Location
Pittsboro, NC
Vehicle(s)
1981 CJ5/258 4.2L I6, Tremec T-176 4-speed, Dana 300, Power Steering, Howell Throttle Body Injection System, Warn Locking Hubs, Warn Rock Crawler front/rear bumper with Tire Swing Carrier, Full Roll Cage, Pro Comp ES9000 shocks
Hey guys!

I've got a factory 1981 CJ5 4 speed Transmission . I'm noticing that when i'm going around 35 mph in third gear it stars to lurch a bit, as if i'm in the wrong gear, but if i go to second, it revs waay to high.

It only seems to happen at 35 mph.

I've never owned a four speed before, so i don't know if this is just the nature of the beast.

Thanks for the help!
 
same here, sounds like you have the wide ratio T-18 , my opinion is that its a sacrifice that was made to keep the unit small and make 1st and 2nd more useful off the pavement, that being said, yes its something to just live with, start stretching 2nd further and feather the bottom of 3rd. ive been having to get used to driving a stick again, push it to far at any point and it will cough and sputter, but hey ive spent 5-6 years driving my mpfi throttle by wire tacoma, its made me lazy.
 
35 in 3rd. A jeep isn't a motorcycle, you should be in high or 4th by before your going 35.
 
Hedgehog said:
35 in 3rd. A jeep isn't a motorcycle, you should be in high or 4th by before your going 35.
Click to expand...

Wow! I thought I was driving a Ducati!

I don't know what to tell ya man. If I go to 4th before 40 mph the engine acts like it's gunna die on me.
 
Last edited:
rufus1138 said:
same here, sounds like you have the wide ratio T-18 , my opinion is that its a sacrifice that was made to keep the unit small and make 1st and 2nd more useful off the pavement, that being said, yes its something to just live with, start stretching 2nd further and feather the bottom of 3rd. ive been having to get used to driving a stick again, push it to far at any point and it will cough and sputter, but hey ive spent 5-6 years driving my mpfi throttle by wire tacoma, its made me lazy.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback brother!

I just bought it, so it's probably going to take me a couple more weeks to get a feel for it, or i'll just speed every time I'm in a 35mph zone! :)
 
Need more info

You say factory,

SR4 or T-176 tranny?
tire size?
axle gearing?
 
Seeing how my 86 is a automatic, I cant say how a manual jeep behaves. Does lurching mean the same as lugging? I understand its not brand new but it should still have a fairly smooth transition throughout all gears. What happens in fourth gear? Is this a new symptom?

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
 
op idk about you but mine will idle up into a gear if i shift a little (not a lot mind you) too early, but im working with a t-18a and a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l
 
Any idea what RPM all this is happening?:cool:
 
The point is ......man. There is something definitely odd about your Jeep. My bet is you've got '80's 2.73 gears with really big tires. ....... good luck getting her right, man.
 
cj7inthetwigs:

Yeah I mean lugging. It's not like it's about to stall out. It's just that it doesn't run a smoothly then when it's at a different speed.

IOPort51:

Wish I did! The Tachometer hasn't been working.

Posi:

Havent gotten the chance to to check the Transmission , but i'm guessing it's probably a Tremec T-176
 
Hedgehog said:
The point is ......man. There is something definitely odd about your Jeep. My bet is you've got '80's 2.73 gears with really big tires. ....... good luck getting her right, man.
Click to expand...


AAHHHH!! Didn't consider the tires. They're 33's! That makes a lot of sense. Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Well, 33's are big, but not huge. I'm wondering if it might be something else like a problem with your mid range or power circuit jets. You should have plenty of power to be in 4th gear without the engine threatening to stall. It doesn't matter what Transmission you have, unless you have a Transmission with a MONSTER over drive which I highly doubt you have.

Here's a big reach, how is the rest of your driveline, something is stealing power from your engine. I suppose bearings could be about ready to seize or your brakes could be hanging up. If you push it, does the jeep roll easily?
 
This keeps sounding like engine rather than Transmission . At what speed are you making the shift from 2nd to 3rd?:cool:
 
I agree with IOport51, something isn't right and I don't think it's in the drive train.
 
81 cj will have T-176 and 2.73 gear ratio. You are lugging the engine. Buy a tach and tune the engine.
33s are way too big for those gears.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
:agree: 33's with 2.73 gears is crazy. That would only work if you only drove down hill :D
 
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