opinion: which gears for 2.3

[gjm4l]

I've unexpectly had not one but two sets of 7.5 gears fall into my lap and now I'm not sure which set to run. I get to choose from 3.73 or 4.10's.

Truck details are in the sig. It currently runs 3.54 gears and stock 205/75r14 (26x8) tires. Since moving to the city I don't plan to change tire sizes on it any more. My goal is to provide the poor 2.3 with some more pep while not losing mpg and I honestly hope to gain mpg which will happen either way in the city but I'm wondering if 4.10's will be to steep for the long trips on the interstate.

I used to have an 06' 2.3l with 4.10s and loved it, peppy and good mpg, but the 2.3's between 06' and 92' obviously aren't the same so I'm just looking for popular opinion as to whether 4.10's will be perfect or to much

Thanks in advance

 

[Sunk]

3.73 probably won't be a noticeable difference from 3.54. I'd say go with the 4.10 depending how fast you drive on the freeway.

 

[RavoHimself]

how often will you be be doing highway? the 3.73's and 4.10's will be very close. on the highway you're looking at llike a 300rpm difference. i know the 2.3's like a higher cruise for more power so about 2500/2700 would probably be good. also try to stay at 65mph. better mileage.

 

[4.0B2]

yeah, one step up.. you won't notice. i say try the 4.10's.. if you don't like 'em (doubtful IMO) put in the 3.73's.

 

[baddis]

you never said if you have an auto or 5 speed

 

[gjm4l]

you never said if you have an auto or 5 speed

my bad that ain't in the siggy, yep 5 speed. I couldn't imagine having a 4banger auto

I cruise at around 60-70mph on the highway no more than 5 over limit typically, and depending on traffic my work commute can vary from mostly 45/35mph roads to mostly 55mph roads. I hit the interstates enough for it to matter including some 3-4hr each way trips (quarterly-ish). Which is why I am asking because I am pretty confident I want the 4.10's but with no tach I don't even know what my lima 2.3 rpms are at my cruising speeds or even where they are most efficient but I do know much over 70 and I lose mpgs now (may be because of the getting choppy cheap M&S style tires I run at the moment)

Also just for reference I'm getting about 22mpg solid regardless of whether it's city or highway. Now that I think about it when I first got it I used to get closer to 26mpg but that was running some street tires (white walls no less)

Thanks for the replies keep em coming

 

[Insanejughead]

3.73 + 4.10 = 7.83

7.83 / 2 = 3.91



There, that solves it. You should go with the best of both worlds and install a 3.91 to 1 gear ratio rear axle.

(Did you like my math? Hahaha, thought so. You can give me loads of rep points, I don't mind.)



I have 3.73s in my ranger and they seemed fine. They're even better now that I'm turbo'ed. I'm getting 22-24 mpg with them, and it didn't matter on which engine it was.

However, the 3.45s in my turbo Thunderbird leave me wanting more "oomph" in my go (I get 28 or slightly more mpg though... So I have little room to complain.)

 

[gjm4l]

I do like the math, I think it should be the ratio I have to the maximum ratio I have available which would be (3.54x4.10)/2=3.82 lol but it's looking like I'm gonna go with 4.10's since the rangers my commuter most of the time here in charlotte I figure if it's too to bad I can just upsize tires next time I have to make that investment. But at the same time I'm trying to figure out what size tires I can run if I get some dreambeams for the 92'