• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

time to regear 4.56 or 4.88??


maroon ranger

Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2008
Messages
190
Reaction score
0
Points
16
Age
33
Location
East Helena, Montana
Vehicle Year
1994 4.0L proje
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
Okay guys I finally have my Dana 44 and 9 inch completely rebuilt and painted and all the good stuff. It is officially time to put gears in them and throw them under the ranger!!!!! I'm looking for opinions on which gears too go with. I'm running 35's with a manual transmission. For a couple years now I have always had 4.56s planned. But now that its time for gears I'm starting to think 4.88's.

Anywho i need some opinions and advice please. Let's hear what you guys think.
 


Kona

06/2014 OTOTM Winner
Canada Military - Veteran
OTOTM Winner
ASE Certified Tech
Ham Radio Operator
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
621
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Location
Kamloops BC
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
7"
Tire Size
35x12.50x15
I am running 33's and 4.56 .... works out to about 3.80 , I would run 4.88 with 35's for sure!
 

4x4junkie

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
10,749
Reaction score
580
Points
113
Location
So. Calif (SFV)
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9L V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
35x12.50R15

Forest Ranger 94

New Member
U.S. Military - Active
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Aug 22, 2012
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
32
Location
Illinois
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
I'm going to have to raise a concern here. I have pretty much the exact same truck: manual trans, 4.0, 35s, d44, and I run 4.56s. Off road, there is plenty of gear especially in lo-range as long as you really know how to drive. And the only reason I say this is because you will like the 4.56s ALOT better if you drive on the road at 55+ for an hour everyday like me. I imagine its not a huge difference but it will keep your R's a little lower. If you work locally or never really drive long distances most of the time then I would say 4.88 but I'm glad I didn't go with them. So I guess it all just depends on your road driving time. Then again I went from 3.27's in my original axles so ANYTHING is better than that, haha.
 

4x4junkie

Forum Staff Member
TRS Forum Moderator
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
10,749
Reaction score
580
Points
113
Location
So. Calif (SFV)
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Bronco II
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9L V6
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
35x12.50R15
4.56 & 35s would be similar to the 4.10 & 33s on my Ranger... It's certainly adequate, but I wouldn't say it's much more than that, even on the freeway driving from So-Cal to Oregon & back (wishing I had done 4.56 with my 33s).

No doubt, anything is worlds better than 3.27 though.
 

97-cobra/ranger

New Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2011
Messages
88
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Location
Boonville, IN
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
4.88s for sure. Just did 4.88s with 37s and wish i woulda gone with 5.13s. Like the Mustang guys say, "don't fear the gear"
 

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
I had 4.0 auto 35's and 456. Drove great, but the 488's would have been better, both for driveability and mpg. I drove about 30 miles each way everyday for my commute. The difference from 456 to 488 is only about 150 rpm, you wont see that on the road, but it will make less load on the engine and better mpgs, not to mention better offroad performance...

SVT
 

90jurassic2

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Sep 14, 2012
Messages
183
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Gresham, Oregon
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
I'm running 4:56 on 38's. I would put 4:88's in there. I lug going up hills.
 

PlumCrazy

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
2014 Truck of The Year
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 22, 2008
Messages
4,541
Reaction score
168
Points
63
Location
Millersport, OH
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
I loved my 4.10 s with 35s... kept my RPMs down on the freeway..I was pulling 16-17 mpg on my long trips, 14ish mixed driving (like I stole it I might add). I compensated for it with the doubler and hybrid trans when I wheeled.

Now with 38s and the fact that my truck spends more time in 4 lo than it does 2wd these days....Im going 5.13s
 

Jim Oaks

Just some guy with a website
Administrator
Founder / Site Owner
Supporting Vendor
Article Contributor
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Aug 2, 2000
Messages
13,416
Reaction score
8,532
Points
113
Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15
My '96 has a 4.0, automatic, 4.56 with Detroit Lockers and 33's. I think it has the perfect amount of power to go where I want with this combo. My next tires will be 35's, and I wish I had 4.88's. I worry that it won't have as much power for climbing/wheeling as I'm use to.

For a wheeling rig, my suggestions for gear / tire size combo would be:L

4.10 = 31's

4.56 = 33's

4.88 = 35's

5.13 = 36-38's

I know I'll be able to wheel my setup with the 4.56 and 35's, but it really won't be the optimal power setup. If you've ever see someone trying to climb a steep hill with big tires and poor gearing you'll know what I mean.

I really don't want to regear, so I need to find a power adder.

Now my old Ranger with the 302 had plenty of power for 35's and 4.56's. For anyone with a V8 swap, I'd say you could go up one size (4.10 = 33's, 4.56 = 35's, etc).
 

PlumCrazy

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
2014 Truck of The Year
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Sep 22, 2008
Messages
4,541
Reaction score
168
Points
63
Location
Millersport, OH
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
For a straight wheeler....I say go as low as possible. You can always up shift.lol

Sent from XT907 using Crapatalk
 

Rowdy Fitzgerald

Hog hunter
Firefighter
EMT / Paramedic
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Aug 29, 2008
Messages
2,271
Reaction score
372
Points
113
Location
Nevada
Vehicle Year
1987, 1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0,4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Total Lift
6”
Tire Size
35
I agree with plum. 4.88's are what I'm running with 35's but I have a V8 so power isn't a problem. If it isn't low enough for you then you can always get a doubler.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
Jim, i ran 456's with my 4.0/auto in my 96, wheeled both 35" km2's and 37" iroks. Had plenty of low end grunt to wheel, and DD. 456's and 35's will be fine, 488's would give slightly better mpg, but i doubt tye swap would be noticeable on the trails with the auto...

SVT
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top