2wd 3.0 with 33s

[mazdakiller]

So I put 33s on my truck and I can tell I need to re-gear the rear end. My question is, what gear ratio to go with and how do I tell if its a 7.5 or a 8.8. I do know it has 4.10 gears in it right now. Another thing is I want to get a locker but I'm not sure on what to get there either. Any help is appreciated

 

[ericbphoto]

I would recommend 4.56 gears. There should be a tag somewhere on the axle that tells what axle it is, the gear ratio and whether it's limited slip or not. Check out the axles and gears tech articles. There's info there on how to read axle tags, door stickers ( that tells you the axle, too) and what axles came in which trucks. I have an Aussie locker in my 8.8" with 4.56 gears, running 35" tires. If you have an FX4 level2 8.8" with 31splines, you could get a Thorsen limited slip unit for an awesome price right now. There was a thread posted earlier today about that.

 

[Ranger850]

Can you get FX4 on a 2wd

 

[ericbphoto]

Sorry. I forgot the 2wd part. Of course you could swap one in.

 

[mazdakiller]

@ericbphoto i was thinking 4.56, so ill go with that, I don't have any stickers on the door so I wasn't sure if the tag on the axle would say. Which would be better, limited slip or a locker, I'm not to familiar with axles.

 

[4x4junkie]

The 3.0L is a high-revver, go with 4.88 gears (hopefully you have the 8.8", which some 3.0L trucks after '97 did have, as 4.88 isn't available for the 7.5").

 

[ericbphoto]

In my opinion, a good limited slip setup is better if you're going to drive it on the road a lot. But they're more expensive. The Aussie locker or lock-rite or similar "lunchbox locker" is a decent compromise. Around tight corners, it will release if you don't apply torque. Ie; get off the accelerator. It makes a bit of a clicking noise when it does that. But all is normal.

 

[mazdakiller]

@ericbphoto @4x4junkie so my truck has a 8.8,should i go 4.56 or 4.88

 

[Dirtman]

I say 4.88 if you're doing more offroad and or city/around town driving. If you're hitting the highway alot then 4.56. But as stated the 3.0 makes power at higher rpm so even on the highway 4.88's shouldn't be an issue.

 

[ericbphoto]

I say 4.88 if you're doing more offroad and or city/around town driving. If you're hitting the highway alot then 4.56. But as stated the 3.0 makes power at higher rpm so even on the highway 4.88's shouldn't be an issue.

I agree. My truck performs about the way it did stock. But I have a manual transmission. If I had an automatic, the 4.88 might make the 3.0 a little bit happier. If I had 33's it might be a toss-up for me.

 

[mazdakiller]

iight,it is a 5 speed so I'll go with 4.88.

 

[mazdakiller]

ok so now that im ready to do this, im being asked what spline the truck is 28 or 31. Im assuming the spline on the pinion is what they are asking for but how am i able to tell without taking the truck apart?

 

[Dirtman]

They are referring to the axle splines. Your's is 28 spline. Only fx4 lvl 2's had the 31 spline axle 8.8"

 

[mazdakiller]

oh ok, that makes life easier, thank you for the quick response @Dirtman

 

[Shran]

I would also concur with the 4.88 recommendation. 4.56 would probably work but your clutch will enjoy 4.88 a bit more.