Gearing question for 31's or 33's

[rickcdewitt]

Saying that 31's and 3.27's would be undrivable is just plain wrong. It's not ideal, but in reality it's just fine.

As MAKG already said, it's all about how you shift.

it all depends on how easy he is on his clutch and if he decides to haul anything heavy.35's and 3.27's? now thats just plain wrong

 

[jolliffem]

Some new data for the discussion

Well we took the 31 TrXus MT's off the Jeep and put them on the Ranger and here is what we got. MPH was done with a GPS in 4th gear. The 31's definitely made it a little more sluggish.
235's @ 65mph(GPS) - 2700rpm speedo showing 64mph
31's @ 65mph(GPS) - 2500rpm speedo showing 59mph
Now using the gear ratio chart from the tech library it is saying the ratio is 3.55, unless I'm missing something. So is it possible that maybe they have been changed by the previous owner.
Does this change anyones thinking? Maybe 31 or 32's. He doesn't haul anything with the truck and it is driven around town 98% of the time.

 

[brendank]

Now using the gear ratio chart from the tech library it is saying the ratio is 3.55, unless I'm missing something.

You're right, the gear chart does show 3.55's for that rpm at 65mph. My opinion is still the same. Run it, and change the gears when you can.

The change in clutch life as a result of a tire swap like this has many more variables than simply the final drive ratio. The biggest single variable is the driver. If you feel that you had to labour the clutch to a point where you think it would fail prematurely, then don't go through with the swap. I have a hard time imagining that this is the case.

 

[brendank]

35's and 3.27's? now thats just plain wrong

Yeah, it was interesting sometimes. 5th was just plain unusable. 4th was decent on the highway, but there were some times where I'd shift down to 3rd at highway speed.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Well we took the 31 TrXus MT's off the Jeep and put them on the Ranger and here is what we got. MPH was done with a GPS in 4th gear. The 31's definitely made it a little more sluggish.
235's @ 65mph(GPS) - 2700rpm speedo showing 64mph
31's @ 65mph(GPS) - 2500rpm speedo showing 59mph
Now using the gear ratio chart from the tech library it is saying the ratio is 3.55, unless I'm missing something. So is it possible that maybe they have been changed by the previous owner.
Does this change anyones thinking? Maybe 31 or 32's. He doesn't haul anything with the truck and it is driven around town 98% of the time.

I'm betting your tires don't measure out to 31", most tires run a bit short, my 31s are over an inch short. So your getting more RPMs at that speed than a true 31" tire.

 

[rickcdewitt]

Yeah, it was interesting sometimes. 5th was just plain unusable. 4th was decent on the highway, but there were some times where I'd shift down to 3rd at highway speed.

sounds like my 2.9l truck with 33's and 3.55's good thing you don't have a 3.slow !

 

[rickcdewitt]

I'm betting your tires don't measure out to 31", most tires run a bit short, my 31s are over an inch short. So your getting more RPMs at that speed than a true 31" tire.

and the ranger tachometers aren't the most accurate.if in doubt get a buddy and rotate both tires evenly one turn and look and see how many turns the driveshaft makes.three and a quarter is 3.27 et cetera.i put pieces of tape on the tires,fenders and driveshaft and diff housing to be more accurate when trying to find your ratio

 

[jolliffem]

I took rickcdewitt advice, unfortunate for me we are back to 3.27's. The tach must be out then. How disappointing.

 

[Hahnsb2]

I took rickcdewitt advice, unfortunate for me we are back to 3.27's. The tach must be out then. How disappointing.

And/or you tires measure up short.

 

[jolliffem]

Measured the tires and both sets seem to be right.
235's - 29"
31's - 31"

 

[rickcdewitt]

And/or you tires measure up short.

a lot of guys using the gear chart wind up spinning a little higher rpm's because of that.most of the time its a good thing though

 

[mudder_p34]

I have a 1988 ranger with the 2.3 5 speed with 31s and has 3:73s factory. the speedo is off about 10mph and 5th gear is useless. Im trying to decide what gear swap to do. 4:56?