GREAT point, I really missed that.... ANYWAY, Low gearing will definitly help IF you get that serious about it. 3 inch lift and heavy tires/Wheels ( the lift wont affect anything as far as I know) will be alot more "strain" on the power plant. As far as power upgrades go, Head over to www.calmini.com they have almost everything you need to get started for power. Myself have drilled 1" holes in my Air box ( the bottom half ) about 6 or 7 total, K&N Filter, Calmini Cam, HighFlow Cat, With 2 and a quarter inch pipe with DynoMax Ultra Flow Muffler ( Its not too bad except at 4000 RPM and then its loud), Pacesetter Header, And i still get 25 MPG, Which is great. There is alot you can do, with $$$ Cash. One thing at a time you can do it, I did. E mail me if you need any thing or ASK our Wonderful OFF-Roaders here, they are full of Info from past Experiances LOL some Good Some Bad. Later! PS search the Internet Be very Specific or you will get alot of Miss leading/wrong Info that can really throw you off, Especially when ordering parts..... BAD INFO THOSE IDIOTS GAVE ME!!! UGH! Shop for tires that will get you on your way but still give you what you want with out giving You a lot of pain.