177CIOfPureLove
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2007
- Messages
- 354
- Reaction score
- 2
- Points
- 0
- Location
- Bayville, NJ
- Vehicle Year
- 1989
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Size
- 2.9L
- Transmission
- Manual
I have just about had enough of my 88 STX. The thing takes so much just to get moving, it really is too hard to drive, compared to even my 4x2 89' ranger. There is nothing low about 1st gear in idle, its like the thing just runs away. Even in 4wd low, its nothing like the crawl of a jeep or anything like that. It has an fm146 and 3.73 axles.... I figured it would be geared better than my 89, being equipped with 3.50 or whatever. Nothing binds, I even swapped a 1 piece drive shaft in. All the brakes are new and they don't stick. she rolls easy. It just takes a lot of gas on the clutch engagement in 2wd to get going. When i am moving a boat around on a trailer in my backyard, i always leave the hubs open and move things around in 2wd low just to avoid slipping the clutch so much. I shouldnt have to do this. I can move things around with my 89' without low (Even though I wish even that truck had a lil lower 1st gear). This was without the 31's being mounted, I had 235's and it was prob. worse than when I put the 31's on. I find it hard to believe that it came from the factory like that. I think that being this way makes it harder on all of the parts in the drive train because it isnt smooth or gradual. I have considered swapping a mazda trans in, but the ratios are not much different for 1st gear. What would I need to do? 4.10's? I drive on the highway to work and back, not sure if this is the best course of action. What do you guys think have you experienced the same?