Gear ratio help

mhuchel14 · May 21, 2015

I have a 98 ranger, with a V6 4.0L. I recently upgraded to 33s from the stock 215s, and the acceleration / MPG is horrible. I mostly drive side streets, and was planning on upgrading to a 4.56 gear ratio from the 3.55 stock ratio. I was wandering how to do this, and what to buy. I do not want to get a whole new axle, because I am trying to same some money. I also do not want to put on an explorer axle because it seems a little too hard for me right now. any help is appreciated.

Thank you,
- Michael

scotts90ranger · May 21, 2015

You won't be able to replace the gears yourself, it's an indepth job that requires some knowhow...

Your acceleration and gas mileage is most likely not as bad as you think, your speedometer and odometer are most likely around 20% off, take your gas mileage and multiply it by 1.2 and you'll get your current mileage, same with your speed.

Blown · May 21, 2015

You have effectively reduced torque to the ground by 16% just in tire diameter difference, then there is the added weight to get rolling and more rolling resistance with a larger and wider tire. The 3.53 gearing is now effectively about 2.96 :dunno:

4.56 are a bit low and you'll spin it fast and loose mileage on the highway. 4.10 or 4.30 would be better.................You might find help in a local 4x4 club, takes some special tools and knowledge to set gears up right.

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=160460&highlight=gear+change+tire

alwaysFlOoReD · May 21, 2015

IMO the easiest route would be to go back to a smaller tire until you can swap the rear axle, housing and all, and the front pumpkin from the same year truck that has 4.10 gears already installed. 4.10 gears and 31" tires were perfect in my situation. If your'e willing to spend the money for new gears then lower gears can be put in your axles.

enjr44 · May 21, 2015

2X4 or 4X4?? Unless you really know what you are doing, a gear change on a 2X4 is big money. A 4X4 is really big money since you have to do both ends of the truck.

Mark_88 · May 21, 2015

Personally, I find trying to save money and modifying my truck are as far apart as can be...smaller tires will save you money all around...you may not be as highly ranked status wise with small tires, but you will be farther ahead in the long run...

I'd agree with Scott90 that your speedo is off and not indicating actual speed so not to worry about that too much...if you want to stay with the bigger tires...but I went to a 14" rim after playing swapping into 15" rims...and that change cost me quite a bit initially...threw my speedo off by 10km/hr and made me think I was going slower than I was...

gw33gp · May 22, 2015

I just went through switching to 33" tires and 4.56 gears. The 4.10 gears I had work great with 31" tires but sucked with the 33" tires. Sure I could get by with it but I wanted a combination that worked right. I had the 4.56 gears installed and they are perfect for the 33" tires.

I still run 31" tires on the road and 4.56 gears are too low for those tires. It sill works OK and has awesome acceleration but highway driving is not so great.

Gear ratio help

mhuchel14

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scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member

Blown

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alwaysFlOoReD

Forum Staff Member

enjr44

Active Member

Mark_88

Well-Known Member

gw33gp

Well-Known Member

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