Transmission question kinda.

[Ranger707]

So I have a 94 xlt 3.0 5spd with a 7.5 open diff and 3.45 gears. I bought a 4inch lift for it and plan on running 32s. I know I should re-gear it or change the diff and I plan to do that. I'm just curious if my transmission will really hold up and does the 3.0 have enough power to push those tires and stuff?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Paraphrased:
"With a long enough lever I can move the world."
I'm not sure exactly what gears you would have to go, but there are calculators in the tech section to help you.

 

[scotts90ranger]

The transmission is fine, they ran basically the same trans behind the SOHC 4.0L that's almost double the horsepower... I'm running basically the same trans (different case being a 4 cylinder) with ~225hp on my turbo Ranger...

I'm pretty sure you have a 2 wheel drive by the sounds of what you are talking about, which makes things cheaper since you only have to deal with one differential. Bare minimum would be 4.10's which can be found in some Rangers which is cheaper than regearing. But if you have to regear I would probably just go to 4.56's, it'll feel like it has more power than stock unless it came with 4.10's...

 

[Ranger707]

The transmission is fine, they ran basically the same trans behind the SOHC 4.0L that's almost double the horsepower... I'm running basically the same trans (different case being a 4 cylinder) with ~225hp on my turbo Ranger...

I'm pretty sure you have a 2 wheel drive by the sounds of what you are talking about, which makes things cheaper since you only have to deal with one differential. Bare minimum would be 4.10's which can be found in some Rangers which is cheaper than regearing. But if you have to regear I would probably just go to 4.56's, it'll feel like it has more power than stock unless it came with 4.10's...

 

[Ranger707]

It is a 2wd. I forgot to mention that but I definitely plan on trying to find a diff with 4.10 gears and hopefully L/S.
Another question for you though. Do you think a 7.5 diff with 4.10 gears and a L/S would be like enough to make up for the loss of power? Or should I just try and get an L/S 8.8 with 4.10

 

[Dirtman]

7.5 or 8.8 doesn't matter only the gear ratio does as far as power is concerned...

 

[Ranger707]

Sorry but I should've just asked if the 7.5 would hold up against 32s if I just re geared it and added a locker. I'm not gonna be doing any serious wheeling with it or anything but i would like to be able to go on some moderate off road trails.

 

[Dirtman]

The axle shafts, which are the main thing taking the stress of larger tires are the same between the 7.5 and 8.8, so it wouldn't make any difference. Only the 31 spline 8.8 found in explorers and fx4 lvl 2 trucks have larger axles.

 

[scotts90ranger]

An FX4 LII axle would be the best thing to find in a junkyard for your plans... I think they're 4.56's from the factory... But yeah, otherwise it doesn't really matter, 4.10:1 is the lowest ratio available other than that particular axle...

As far as how different it will feel, it really depends on what axle ratio you have now. If you have 3.45:1 gear ratio now going to 4.10 will be nearly identical depending on your tire size (I used 27" for my calculation), if you have 3.73's it will help but will be a bit off.

 

[fastpakr]

Pretty sure FX4 axles were just 4.10, but they're definitely the best bet for an easy swap upgrade.

 

[JohnnyO]

Pretty sure FX4 axles were just 4.10, but they're definitely the best bet for an easy swap upgrade.

FX4 axles are 4.10. The only 4.56 axles from the factory were optional on 1980's chassis-cab models so they were rare to begin with and pretty much non-existent now.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Ok, I was just dreaming then... that was 20 years ago so things get mixed up in my mind...