Torn on gears

[Jake47]

I have a 90 2.9 auto with 33" tires. I hate trying to drive this thing on the highway, because it cant get out of its own way. I would like to get a gear that is not going to be revving at 3k on the highway, yet will get me moving without holding up geo metro's. I was thinking a 4.30, but then if I ever go to a 35" tire like I plan, I feel as if the 4.30 will not be enough.

 

[Frank The Tank]

4.56 is a great option, if you really plan to up tire size.

Frank

 

[Jake47]

that won't be too steep and i can put it in a 7.5/ d35?

 

[Bent Bolt]

that won't be too steep and i can put it in a 7.5/ d35?

Nope , not at all. If anything I'd highly recommend a rear 8.8 and go 4.88 's . Particularly if you plan on 35's in the future.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I don't think a 4.30 gear set is made for the D35/7.5 combo. You're pretty much stuck with 4.10 or 4.56.

Just stick in a 4.56 set, especially if your thinking of going bigger. Might have to look a bit before finally tracking a set down for the 7.5, but I know they're out there. 4.56's for the D35 are easier to come by.

 

[strvger]

you can get them here in the TRS store iirc. getting 4.56 gears put in my 1st gen before the end of this month, and i'm only running 31's.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Ditch the 7.5 and get 4.88s...

 

[Frank The Tank]

I have 4.88's......... i recommended 4.56's for a reason.

Especially if you have exhaust... it gets droney and annoying on the highway, but putting around here locally I have a ton of power and it's sick fast (to 85mph)

I have 33's I figure on going bigger, but not anytime soon.

my city mileage is actually better than hwy mileage. lol.

Frank

 

[Hahnsb2]

I have 4.88's......... i recommended 4.56's for a reason.

You also have a 4.0 and a 5 speed, the OP has a 2.9 and an auto...

 

[BlackBII]

4.56 and 33"s is a good choice.

 

[Frank The Tank]

You also have a 4.0 and a 5 speed, the OP has a 2.9 and an auto...

He may need the power...... but generally a healthy automatic trans will overcome a deficit in gears better than a manual.

Frank

 

[dagoof]

Guys, can you help me too.

I'm in almost the same boat (I also have a 90), but I've put a 302 V8 in it. I've got a 3 speed auto C-4 now, but I'm thinking about a four speed AOD.

I have 31's and I'm thinking about going up to 35's when I get my lift.

Would 4.56's be the right choice ? ? ?

As it is now, I have stock 3.73's in it and it doesn't seem to go nearly as well as I thought it would when i put the V8 in. It's not for lack of power, but it just doesn't seem to want to move very bad.

 

[Hahnsb2]

He may need the power...... but generally a healthy automatic trans will overcome a deficit in gears better than a manual.

Frank

4.88s and 33s is only 2700 RPMs at 70, and 2500rpms at 65, right where it should be, remember that Auto has a slightly deeper OD than a 5 speed too.

 

[4x4junkie]

I have a 90 2.9 auto with 33" tires. I hate trying to drive this thing on the highway, because it cant get out of its own way. I would like to get a gear that is not going to be revving at 3k on the highway, yet will get me moving without holding up geo metro's. I was thinking a 4.30, but then if I ever go to a 35" tire like I plan, I feel as if the 4.30 will not be enough.

3K is hardly above where the 2.9L likes to be on the highway.
4.88 is the perfect gear with 33" tires on this engine, don't matter stick or auto.

I have 5.13s in mine (35s) and couldn't be happier. Then again, I also don't drive 90+ on the expressways either

For the guy with the 302, if you're also installing an OD transmission, 4.88 would be a good choice for 35" tires, otherwise 4.10 or 4.56.

 

[dagoof]

For the guy with the 302, if you're also installing an OD transmission, 4.88 would be a good choice for 35" tires, otherwise 4.10 or 4.56.

Thanks, You recommend 4.88's to go with the 35's?

I'm still going to be doing some freeway driving, so that's why I was thinking 4.56's would give me the best of both worlds.