- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
- Messages
- 3,868
- Reaction score
- 1,723
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Macon/Fort Valley, GA
- Vehicle Year
- 1999
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- V8
- Transmission
- Automatic
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
I know that the common move on this forum is to go from 3.XX to 4.10 or 4.10 to 4.56+, in general moving to lower ratios for more tire turning, stump pulling power. That's kind of the opposite of what I'm looking to do.
So I've got a 99 Ranger 4x4 4.0L Auto. This truck came from the factory with the towing package, meaning heavy springs and 4.10:1 gear ratio. If I'm being honest, in the 17 years I've owned it, I've never really pulled with it. At best a utility trailer with a few hundred lbs on it and any Ranger could handle that no problem. Actually I can't think of a single time I've pulled a meaningful load with it, because when I bought my ATV my engine was screwed, so I borrowed dad's truck and the ATV has lived at the hunting club since. I won't need it to ever pull a load again,Between the F-100 and F-250 I have much more capable options.
I also did the mild lift and oversized tire thing in the past. Not a lot, 32" tires, torsion bar twist, explorer springs, and lift shackles. Didn't really do anything for me. The F-250 has the same tire size stock, and the F-100 looks better in that configuration (and arguably more capable offroad). Infact I've already dropped the Ranger back down to near stock 30" tires. I'm thinking about going smaller still when these wear out dependingon how much I can do with suspension. I really don;t need the truck for offroad adventures, I might drive it to the hunting club, but from there I'm taking the ATV into the woods. The 4x4 is mostly to keep from getting stuck on wet grass or boat ramp (it's never pulled a boat either that I recall). If I really needed it both the F-250 and F-100 are 4x4 as well, and once again are (IMO) more capable.
So instead of swapping to a lower ratio for more tire turning and stump pulling prowess, I'm planning to go with a higher ratio for better cruising, interstate running and highway driving. I plan to start with a 3.73 gear ratio because I've got a spare axle around that would be easy to bolt in test out, especially since I plan to grab the springs and shackles from that truck anyway.
I guess I'm curious as to what y'all think about this gear change? What do you think the outcome will be? Do you think the 3.73 is high enough to make a difference or should I go higher? Don't want to go too high though.
FWIW: I am planning to give it a try regardless of what the responses are. I am aware that I will have different ratios in front and rear, I will not be using the 4x4 for the duration of the different axle ratios. In the extremely unlikely event that it were accidentally engaged I have manual hubs that stay unlocked. If I like the new ratio converting the front to live axle will be part of swapping to the matching ratio in front.
So I've got a 99 Ranger 4x4 4.0L Auto. This truck came from the factory with the towing package, meaning heavy springs and 4.10:1 gear ratio. If I'm being honest, in the 17 years I've owned it, I've never really pulled with it. At best a utility trailer with a few hundred lbs on it and any Ranger could handle that no problem. Actually I can't think of a single time I've pulled a meaningful load with it, because when I bought my ATV my engine was screwed, so I borrowed dad's truck and the ATV has lived at the hunting club since. I won't need it to ever pull a load again,Between the F-100 and F-250 I have much more capable options.
I also did the mild lift and oversized tire thing in the past. Not a lot, 32" tires, torsion bar twist, explorer springs, and lift shackles. Didn't really do anything for me. The F-250 has the same tire size stock, and the F-100 looks better in that configuration (and arguably more capable offroad). Infact I've already dropped the Ranger back down to near stock 30" tires. I'm thinking about going smaller still when these wear out dependingon how much I can do with suspension. I really don;t need the truck for offroad adventures, I might drive it to the hunting club, but from there I'm taking the ATV into the woods. The 4x4 is mostly to keep from getting stuck on wet grass or boat ramp (it's never pulled a boat either that I recall). If I really needed it both the F-250 and F-100 are 4x4 as well, and once again are (IMO) more capable.
So instead of swapping to a lower ratio for more tire turning and stump pulling prowess, I'm planning to go with a higher ratio for better cruising, interstate running and highway driving. I plan to start with a 3.73 gear ratio because I've got a spare axle around that would be easy to bolt in test out, especially since I plan to grab the springs and shackles from that truck anyway.
I guess I'm curious as to what y'all think about this gear change? What do you think the outcome will be? Do you think the 3.73 is high enough to make a difference or should I go higher? Don't want to go too high though.
FWIW: I am planning to give it a try regardless of what the responses are. I am aware that I will have different ratios in front and rear, I will not be using the 4x4 for the duration of the different axle ratios. In the extremely unlikely event that it were accidentally engaged I have manual hubs that stay unlocked. If I like the new ratio converting the front to live axle will be part of swapping to the matching ratio in front.