Gear Ratio?

[RLs94]

1066956

I juss got a 94 (SE they called it.Whats that?) Wrangler YJ with only 6,000 mi.
This is my second Jeep. I had a 90 for 13 years. The 90 was great I put on 225k miles. I love my 94 but it doesn't seem to have as much power on the open road.
First of all it has a 2" body lift w/ 31" tires and a 4.0L engine instead of a 4.2L that I was used to. Also I'm hearing whinning somewhere in the transmission,gears or axle or something mechanical when I get up to 60-70 mph???. I doesn't seem like a tire noise because it sounds lmore ike a mechanical noise , bearings,gears.transmission anyway its a wound tite sound that gets quiter when I let off the gas.
I live in the mountains and I'm noticing that I have to gear down more than I used too also with my '90. Do you think its the tires, the 4.0L, the lift, or the gear ratio? Any input would be appreciated.[addsig]

 

[jterp]

1067078

As far as gear ratios go (according to specs in 2002 - not sure if 94 was the same or not) a 6 cylinder wrangler was available with a either a 3.07 gear ratio or a 3.73 gear ratio. 3.73 came standard if you got the 30" wheel package -- which was an option on the sport, standard on the sahara. It was not an option on the SE (base model). Since yours is an SE, chances are it has the 3.07 gear-- which was fine for the small tires that it came with originally, but might not bee steep enough to move those 31's you have on it now.
That would be my guess-- the 4.0 runs strong -- shouldn;t notice much difference from the 4.2
[addsig]

 

[RLs94]

1067840

Thanks . I appreciate the help[addsig]