2.3L ('83-'97) Axle ratio

[JoshT]

So I'm going to be changing the rear end in this '85 I pick-up to one of the two 8.8"s I have. This is happening for reasons other than gears, but will result in different gears.

Truck is '85 Ranger 2wd with 2.3L, A4LD, and 7.5" axle with 4.10 gears.

One axle is 3.55 the other is 3.73. The 3.73 will end up in the truck, the 3.55 just depends on how soon I lower it. If the front suspension needs so much work that I go ahead and lower it, it'll get the Explorer 8.8 with 3.73s. Otherwise it'll get the 3.55 Ranger axle until it gets lowered.

Just curious how the truck might respond to the gear change. I know the speedometer will be off, don't care about that. Just wondering about how it'll perform.

 

[Curious Hound]

It will feel more sluggish. Engine will be operating at lower rpms.

 

[RonD]

Rear axle ratio is also dependent on rear tire diameter, as is speedometer

If you had 29" rear tires now, with the 4.10
And changed to 3.73 ratio and 26.5" rear tires you wouldn't notice any difference, in performance or speedometer

 

[JoshT]

Thanks, but that doesn't really tell me anything. I've never driven the truck, bought it non working. I don't know how it was to begin with, so don't know what more sluggish really means. Not looking for a tire burner, that'll come down the road with the V8. Just wondering about other people's experience with 3.73 or 3.55 behing the 2.3l.

Not 100% about what's on there now. I know 195 and 14 for sure, don't remember the aspect ratio when I looked at the tire. Its 195/75r14 if it matches the door tag. Will be getting 245/45r17 with the replacement axle. So basically the same diameter.

 

[RonD]

4.10 has more torque at low end when starting off, so better for towing
3.55 has lower engine RPMs at 70MPH so better MPG on highway

3.73 is the compromise ratio, most common, can tow and has OK MPG on the highway

 

[JoshT]

If you can see my sig you might tell I'm not worried about towing with this Ranger. Highway gears would be great. Compromise would probably be more fun. Sounds like I'm probably sitting good either way.

 

[Blmpkn]

I'd definitely go with the 3.73s over 3.55s. I'd say 4.11s are ideal but yeah.. depends on tire size and how fast you wanna spend most of your time on the highway.

 

[JoshT]

I'd definitely go with the 3.73s over 3.55s. I'd say 4.11s are ideal but yeah.. depends on tire size and how fast you wanna spend most of your time on the highway.

Speed on the highway, too fast. On the interstate, keeping up with traffic, which doesn't exactly stick to the speed limit. Speed everywhere else, probassbly too fast.

Long term is that the 3.73 will end up in there. The 3.55 may get installed in the interm if I'm not ready to lower the truck yet. I don't intend to lower the truck yet, but it will depend on the condition of the front suspension, brakes, etc. Just needs a couple of busings I'm fixing and lowering later. If the suspension has to come out, it's getting lowered. If I have to spend more than about$50 it's getting lowered. If it need brakes, it's getting lowered. So I don;lt want to lower it yet, but there's a good chance it'll happen anyway. Still going to replace the shot radius arm bushings first, rear bushing on driver side is completely gone, then access the rest.

 

[RonD]

Hot Rod Lincoln

"With a 4-barrel carb and a dual exhaust,
With 4.11 gears
You can really get lost.
It's got safety tubes, but I ain't scared.
The brakes are good, tires fair."

 

[JoshT]

Great song, ain't heard it in a while. Ain't got a Hot Rod Lincoln though. Ain't going to be no 110 before the V8, if I do then it'll be on a track. Drag strip only about 20 minutes away if I get the itch.

I do speed, my driving history won't let me lie about that. I keep it reasonable and my record has been clean for years, so not geting too excessive. I need to keep it that way, there will be 5 insured vehicles I'm primary driver on, can't afford the rates to go up. I'm calling too fast as cruising 70-80 on the interstate. That's keeping up with traffic around here, if you're keeping up at that speed. It's still probably too fast for a 36 year old truck with 160K miles of minimal maintenance.

 

[RonD]

Thought I would look up "safety tubes", didn't know what they were, they are tire inner tubes
But came across original version of the song, 1959 by Charlie Ryan who wrote the song and had a 1948 Lincoln V12 shorten to fit a 1930 Model A body

So words are different than Commander Codys 1972 version

 

[dirtymike]

Good Stuff, stuck in my head now.

 

[RobbieD]

Hot Rod Lincoln

"With a 4-barrel carb and a dual exhaust,
With 4.11 gears
You can really get lost.
It's got safety tubes, but I ain't scared.
The brakes are good, tires fair."

"And telephone poles looked like a picket fence."

That has to be one of my all time favorite lyric lines. Hell of song! Thanks for the bump, RonD.

 

[Blmpkn]

I appreciate the no f's given attitude towards the quality of the tires lol.

Classic "just send it"

 

[scotts90ranger]

Considering the early fuel injected 2.3L's had like 78hp behind an automatic transmission with some generous parasitic load, that's why it had 4.10's originally... probably had 25" tires too... makes up for the low shift points on 80's auto transmissions...

A 2.3L will need some rpm to keep going and keep up with traffic, my '97 that's rated at I think 107? hp spends most of it's time in traffic above 2000rpm, if I'm easy on it shift before 3k and cruise under 3k seems to be the best mileage and performance deal, catching up entering a highway I'll shift at 4k... I've never driven one of these with an auto so don't know how it'll take it, just know it'll be slow