Howdy all,

I just got back from wheeling in my Postal Jeep with an '81 223 and 4speed. It did great, but it reminded me once again that I need a lower first gear. My clutch is really suffering because of the ratio my first gear has. Even in 4-low it jumps off like a jack rabbit --at least it feels like it on the trail. This is partly due to the fact that my Jeep doesn't have the same gears in the differential as the donor Pup did. I don't really want to change out the axle gears though as that will pretty much make highway driving out of the question--it's pretty questionable now as it is.

Question is, is there a re-gear option for the 4 speed tranny for first gear? I'm not expecting a 6:1 or anything, but something lower than it has now would be very helpful.

Anybody out there ever heard of such an option??

Thanks guys,

There are lower TRANSFER CASE gears available for the 5-speed trannys that came with the late '87 and newer 5 speeds (and autos) but nothing for the 4-speed. Unfortunately, the 5 speed isn't compatible with the 223.

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the reply. A lower Transfer case gear would be just peachy. Bummer about the 5 speed not working with the 223. I thought I remembered they did work--somebody had a post about people trashing 5th gear when they were behind the diesel because they torqued it to death. Maybe I'm wishfully remembering that---people could torque it to death behind a gas-burner too I guess.

Anyways--thanks!