3.0 with 3.08 rear ?

[captzemo]

My 94 XLT is starting to rust - thinking of replacing it with a extended cab 3.0 and replacing the 3.73 rear with a 3.08 for better gas milage .
Has anyone else made this change -- what was the result ??
Thanks

 

[Rearanger]

Might be cheaper and better to go to larger tires.

 

[exbass94]

No, keep the 3.73s. The 3.0 is the most efficient and gets better gas mileage when it's running at higher RPMs. You'd also hate the acceleration with 3.08s

 

[Hahnsb2]

Very bad idea, keep the 3.73s.

 

[almostclueless]

Yep...your torque peak is up in four cylinder country.....odds are, if you run the engine at too low RPM when at speed, it's going to lightly load down and the PCM will give the engine additional fuel as it does whenever load is higher.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I agree with exbass94 and Hahnsb2. You will get worse gas mileage and NO performance. Stick with the 3.73s or go to 4.11s. Yes it sounds backwards but, it works. The 3.0 loves Rpms and doesn't like to be lugged. Get a set of roller rockers and an underdrive crank pulley. It will have good performance and mileage.

 

[Ranger44]

x2 I'd actually go 4.10's (4.11). Best mileage is around the 3,000-3,200 rpm range. No kidding.