2.9 with 33 inch tires and 4.10 gears

[holyford86]

I was wondering what everyone thinks of this combo. I'm going to be lifting my truck and moving up from 31 inch mud tires to 33 inch all terrains. Keep in mind this setup will not be permanent, I will be swapping to a D35/ explorer 8.8 combo sometime in the near future once I can find the 95+ D35 I want and will probably be going for 4.88 gears. I was just looking for input on how bearable it is with the 2.9. Truck is a regular cab long bed with an M5OD and a homemade flatbed on it and I rarely ever haul anything other than myself around with it.

 

[BlackBII]

I would rather have 4.56's for 33's with a 2.9, but you should do allright for the time being.

I don't think it will too much of a dog, I ran 33"s with 3.73's and a 2.9 for almost a year, no problems and it wasn't all that bad, you just get used to it.

 

[86ford]

what M5OD1 trans do you have? a 4.o trans or the 2.9 trans? they have different gearing and the 2.9 trans will be more bearable but its highly doubtful you have one..

my 2.9 is ready to puke and it turns bias ply 33s with 456s VERY painfully...
if your motor is healthy it should not be to terribly bad.

86

 

[holyford86]

I do have the 2.9 m5od it was pulled from the same truck as the motor, a '90 2.9. it was put in in place of my 280k 2.9 and ticking timebomb fm146. the truck will not spin tires on dry pavement but it is a 2.9 powered truck with a locker, I had just assumed it to be a normal thing as the 2.9 is worthless on the low end and I don't clutch dump.

 

[1988broncoll]

I have a 88 B2 with 6inch lift 33x15.50 bias ply sx's that I drive everyday with a d28 with 3.73s and a 7.5 with 3.73s and a FM146 and its not bad i got used to it. I wheel it also and have not broke anything yet THANKFULLY. But my tranny did just blow on me the other day so im out for a replacement. But you should be fine with it you will get used to it quick

 

[Bent Bolt]

I was wondering what everyone thinks of this combo. I'm going to be lifting my truck and moving up from 31 inch mud tires to 33 inch all terrains. Keep in mind this setup will not be permanent, I will be swapping to a D35/ explorer 8.8 combo sometime in the near future once I can find the 95+ D35 I want and will probably be going for 4.88 gears. I was just looking for input on how bearable it is with the 2.9. Truck is a regular cab long bed with an M5OD and a homemade flatbed on it and I rarely ever haul anything other than myself around with it.

IMHO, it'll suck. I've got the 4.10's and 31" tires and I think it's horrible. Can't do anything offroad unless I'm in 4low.

 

[holyford86]

It was a pain offroad in 4hi with stock tires so I'm used to 4 lo all the time when trailriding, 5th gear low range nets me about 30mph which is good enough for me. as long as its alright on the road in 2 hi I'll be alright with it as its only temporary.

 

[Hahnsb2]

IMHO, it'll suck. I've got the 4.10's and 31" tires and I think it's horrible. Can't do anything offroad unless I'm in 4low.

Why would you want to do anything off-road in high range? I'm properly greared plus a torquey 4.0 and I wouldn't want to do much in high range...
I thought my 2.9 did just fine with 4.10s and 31s, my 34s (same size as my 33s) sucked.

 

[4x4junkie]

If it's just temporary, I'd go ahead and run 'em (since you have the M5OD, shouldn't be any worries there).

The 4.88s will make it a whole new truck when you get them though.

 

[Sidewalk]

Good for temporary or low budget work.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Why would you want to do anything off-road in high range? I'm properly greared plus a torquey 4.0 and I wouldn't want to do much in high range...
I thought my 2.9 did just fine with 4.10s and 31s, my 34s (same size as my 33s) sucked.

Because driving on the steep gravel roads to the trail in 4LOW sucks ass.

 

[Shran]

Same combo I have. Seems to be holding up ok, very driveable on the street and is crazy in 4lo. Lower would be better though but for the money I spent on my 4.10s I can't complain (very cheap)

My biggest issue is my damn FM145. I have been saying that it's gonna eat itself soon for about a year now and it hasn't but it's seriously making some weird noises and popping out of gear a lot more. Lugging it around town is probably what will finally kill it, but I can only hope it sees a glorious explosive death on the trail somewhere.

Whatever, next step is a NP435.

 

[Maverick]

My last wheeling Ranger had the combo your talking about. It was an 87 long bed 2.9 with 4.10's/5 speed/D28/welded 7.5 with 33" BFG M/T's. It was a totally bearable set-up, I wasnt disappointed with power in the least bit. It was good around town and I could cruise at 80 on the freeway if I wanted. With the tires aired down to 8psi, I could rail the beach in 4 high.