please help with gear selection

[Renaissanceman]

I have a 93 ranger 2 wheel drive, 2.3 liter. I beleive I have the M50D-R1 trans. I have a ford 7.5" with 3.45 gears. The engine is so undepowered that I would like to have a lower first gear since swapping to a lower axle gear will affect gas mileage which is now 32.5. According to my calculations if I did go with a 3.73 gear set, a 28" tire would be needed to get me back to the final drive I now have with my 26" tires. I think I could fit a 30" tire on the rear as I just purchased 15" wheels. I talked with a trans shop and they told me the M50D-R2 which has 3.91 first instead of 3.72 will not fit as it does not have interchangeable bell housings. He exclaimed my only option might be the Toyo-Kogo 5 speed if i could find a bell housing that would work. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[AngloSaxon]

I would think the best combo with 30's and 2.3 would be 4.10 if you want an extra get up and go. But I don't know if gear swap is what your looking for, it being kind of expensive to be done right. I think in $300-500 range. The best deal is to find a ranger axle with the gears you want and swap in the whole deal.
Just my 2c

[AllanD]

We've had this discussion so many times....

Don't automatically believe that going to 3.73 or 4.10 gears will hurt your mileage.

Don't believe you need to go to taller tires to compensate as that will ENTIRELY defeat the purpose of changing gears (better acceleration)

3.45s are just too damned tall.

3.73's might still be too tall, the difference is that your best
mileage cruising speed will drop by an ammount equal to the gearing change

so if you get that 32mpg at 65mph now you'll get it at 60mph with 3.73's

It's likely that you might actually see an improvement in mileage because
at the same rpm and lower road speed you will be pushing less wind....

AD

[Hahnsb2]

We've had this discussion so many times....

Don't automatically believe that going to 3.73 or 4.10 gears will hurt your mileage.

Don't believe you need to go to taller tires to compensate as that will ENTIRELY defeat the purpose of changing gears (better acceleration)

3.45s are just too damned tall.

3.73's might still be too tall, the difference is that your best
mileage cruising speed will drop by an ammount equal to the gearing change

so if you get that 32mpg at 65mph now you'll get it at 60mph with 3.73's

It's likely that you might actually see an improvement in mileage because
at the same rpm and lower road speed you will be pushing less wind....

AD
What he said... Lowering gears and raising the tire size will put you in the same position as you are now... I think 3.73s would be perfect for you.

[Ranger44]

A 2.3 works really well with 4.10's I have great get up for a 4cyl. But if MPG is what you want 3.73's would be best for you.