2.3L ('83-'97) Axle ratio

[sgtsandman]

From personal experience with a 2.5 Lima and 3.45 gears then switching to 4.10, the truck struggled to get out of it’s own way and didn’t really get any “legs” until you hit 70 mph. Performance was much, much better with the 4.10 and the gas mileage stayed the same.

My 2 cents is to go with the 3.73 of the two you have. 4.10 would be better.

 

[JoshT]

Interesting development. The truck apparently isn't 4.10 as I assumed based on the door tag. Looks like someone set this truck up to cruise after it left the assembly line.

Door tag says F75 for axle.

I don't see an F75 on the chart, but I'm assuming the imnportant part is F7 which indicates a 4.10 L/S. The axle tag says the following:

S398B
45 A75 5B08

I ink that there are 1 or 2 characters before that 45. I didn't have a brush to clean it, but I think its safe to assume that one of those is a 3 and the other might be an L assuming that it is still L/S. Don't know whast A stands for, but 75 is obviously 7.5" ring gear. 5B08 is a date code that translates to February 8th, 1985.

So I've got a 1985 Ranger with a build date of 05/85 and a door tag axle code of F75 for 4.10, but it is sporting a 3.45 axle with a build date of 02/08/85 which seems like a good factory match for the truck's build date. Very interesting package, leaves me with more questions than answers.

Is this F75 axle code a 3.45 code missing from the guide? Where/when did the swapping occour? Who did it and why?

The important point is that it appears I am not moving from a 4.10 to 3.73, but from a 3.45 to a 3.75. Well probably to a 3.55 temporarily, but I'm hoping that won't last more than a few months.

Found another surprise while under there too, but that's for the suspension or build thread.

 

[RonD]

Yes, wrong thread, oops

 

[cbxer55]

While mine is a 3.0 V-6 auto, I had the axle changed from 3.73 to 4.10 last year. Don't regret it one bit. Totally changed the character of the truck. Where it used to shift out of OD going up hills, now it will shift into OD, if I have it off and turn it on. Shifts into OD at 40 mph, whereas it used to shift into OD at 45. Seems more peppy. Like it some much, I also had the Lightning's 9.75 Limited Slip changed from 3.73 to 4.10. WOW! Spins 12.5 inch rear rims with M & H 345/35-18s with o problem. Whereas it wouldn't before, due to the stickiness of those huge tires and traction bars. Now it doesn't care,

Probably do the Mustang in the near future, since it also has 3.73s.

 

[JoshT]

Google: Leaking injector pump fix, 2.4 & 2.8 diesel Hilux

Different engines but same idea on where it will leak and what needs to be changed

Some diagrams here: https://parts.lakelandtoyota.com/s/...AL---5-SPEED/Fuel--Exhaust-and-Emissions.html

I think you got the wrong thread...

 

[JoshT]

While mine is a 3.0 V-6 auto, I had the axle changed from 3.73 to 4.10 last year. Don't regret it one bit. Totally changed the character of the truck. Where it used to shift out of OD going up hills, now it will shift into OD, if I have it off and turn it on. Shifts into OD at 40 mph, whereas it used to shift into OD at 45. Seems more peppy. Like it some much, I also had the Lightning's 9.75 Limited Slip changed from 3.73 to 4.10. WOW! Spins 12.5 inch rear rims with M & H 345/35-18s with o problem. Whereas it wouldn't before, due to the stickiness of those huge tires and traction bars. Now it doesn't care,

Probably do the Mustang in the near future, since it also has 3.73s.

Thanks for the input, but that sounds like we've got different goals. I don't care about spinning tires in this one at this time. Actually with the way gas is currently going I don't really want tire spinning gearing. I'll be able to get my fill of that down the road when I swap in the V8.

Turns out that the truck has a 3.45 instead of a 4.10, not that I'll ever drive it with either to know the difference. I've found my driveshaft, it has the larger 90+ axle flange so I will be swapping an one of my 8.8s in the near future. So while I'm not making the jump to 4.10, I'll still be installing a shorter gear in the truck.

 

[sgtsandman]

For what it’s worth, I think the 3.73 would be the best march between fuel economy and not being a dog performance wise.

Of course, the terrain you live in makes a big difference too. 3.45 or 3.55 might be ok in Ohio or one of the plains states. Here with all the hills and valleys, it’s definitely a no go. Power was horrible and fuel mileage wasn’t great.

 

[cbxer55]

There are hills where I live in a "plains" state, Oklahoma. My 3.0 Ranger loves the 4.10s. They're not there for shredding tires, just making the truck a better daily driver. With 3.73s, I used to turn the OD off as soon as the truck was running. With 4.10s, I don't bother. And mileage doesn't seem to have been affected to any degree, last time I ran a check, it was still getting over 18 mpg. I don't drive it gingerly, I drive it like I stole it.

 

[racsan]

My best 2.3 lima milage has been with 3.73’s , the ‘ 88 2wd supercab I had got a best of 28, usually was never below 25. In contrast my current’94 2wd with 4.10’s gets 21-23 but Ive also changed tire size on the 94 from the original 225/70/14’s to 225/70/15’s in winter, 235/75/15’s in summer. The ‘88 had 205/70/14’s. Unless your on flat ground all the time & never tow 3.73’s would be fine- with stock size tires. Hills/towing/bigger tires- go with 4.10’s , My ‘94 came with 3.45’s and it felt like it was under load empty on level ground. I always wanted to try 4.10’s with a 2.3 and Ive not been disappointed.

 

[JoshT]

195/75r14 will be replaced with 245/45r17. Wider but within half inch of same diameter.

We ain't flat like the midwest here, but ain't no mountains local either. No towing I've got three other trucks that are more capable and at least two of those will be sticking around for quite a while.

To clarify I was never asking what gear I should run in this thing. I will be running 3.55 and or 3.73 in it. I will not spend a bunch of money regearing the axles for and engine and transmission that will not stay with the truck. I was just wondering how it would affect the truck, in hind sight it was stupid since I don't have a baseline to compare to.

After I swap in the V8 I might consider regearing the Explorer axle that will be in it by then, but I'll wait to see what I want to do with it then.

 

[sgtsandman]

My best 2.3 lima milage has been with 3.73’s , the ‘ 88 2wd supercab I had got a best of 28, usually was never below 25. In contrast my current’94 2wd with 4.10’s gets 21-23 but Ive also changed tire size on the 94 from the original 225/70/14’s to 225/70/15’s in winter, 235/75/15’s in summer. The ‘88 had 205/70/14’s. Unless your on flat ground all the time & never tow 3.73’s would be fine- with stock size tires. Hills/towing/bigger tires- go with 4.10’s , My ‘94 came with 3.45’s and it felt like it was under load empty on level ground. I always wanted to try 4.10’s with a 2.3 and Ive not been disappointed.

That was my experience. Average mpg with the 3.45 and 4.10 was 22 mpg.