best gears...

[Destroyer000]

so as many have know, i recently swapped out the 2.3 motor an dropped in a 4.0 into my 2wd 96 splash ... its a 5spd with 3.73s.. thats what came with the 2.3... well its got TONS of acceleration.. but averaging about 16-17 mpg, id like to boost it up a bit.. i can get access to a rear end with 3.55s an i have an explorer rear end with 3.27s.. what would be the best all around gear to run an save a bit? doing 55 right now iam taching about 2200 rpm.. thanks fellas.

 

[fastpakr]

I don't think you'll gain a bit by going to a higher gear. Are you getting 16-17 on the highway or day to day, around town type mileage? If highway, what speed?

 

[Jay FX4]

If you're getting 16-17 city, be happy.

 

[tony314]

My 2002 ranger gets about the same. It has the 4.0 too. Doubt changing gears will make the milage any better. Could be wrong .

 

[baxtej44]

if you want good mileage drive a geo metro or somethin lol...




congrats on the swap though!

 

[RustedRanger]

IMO you would get better MPG with the 3.55's. Motors with a lot of low end torque don't need really deep gears. Temporarily swap on a pair of tires that are 2 inches taller and see how it acts. Every inch is equal to .10 on the gear ratio. So 2 inch taller tires would be the same as 3.53. I had a 86 Monte Carlo with a 4.3L that had tall gears and it only carried 1800 rpm at 55 with no OD and it got 30 mpg and still had plenty of acceleration. All I did to this car was put in Slick 50,K&N air filter with the lid flipped and Bosch platinum plugs. I also ran with the gas tank nearly empty for less weight. I had a 60 mile round trip to work and I would put in $2.00 a day in the tank.....of course gas then was .99 cents a gallon LOL

 

[Destroyer000]

iam getting 16-17 every day... if i drive highway doing about 70-74 i get 17 a gallon... doing this speed it feels like i need another gear.. thats why i was curious as to see if a different gear ratio would be better. i figured a 4 liter pushing the same truck that a 2.3 pushed would get the same if not better mileage..

 

[Jay FX4]

I've been getting 19-20mpg all city with 4.10's, auto, and stock Wranglers.

 

[Combs Customs]

I know in Zman's 92 4.0 5spd 2wd Ext. Cab he was getting 21-22 mpg with factory 3.08 gears. Swapping in some 3.73 and the best he can get is 17mpg. He's stepping back down to 3.55. In my 91 4.0 5spd 2wd Ext. cab I have 3.08 and I can average 21-22. When given the chance, im going to either 3.27 or 3.55. Even with the 3.08 i can still spin both off the line and chirp 2nd. The only reason im going up in gear is I dont see much highway.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Since it's a 2wd I assume you have tiny tires? I wouldn't go any deeper than 3.55, my explorer had 3.27s and I wouldn't wish those upon my worst enemy.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I think 3.73's+4.0L+30" tires=

That's what I have and don't have any problems reaching 17-18mpg... My last trip I averaged 20mpg... 55 mph in 4th gear all the way... I say leave it... You won't get stellar mileage with the 4.0L any way you slice it...

 

[Destroyer000]

yes right now its 3.73s 4.0 5spd with 255/45/17 tires... so you think 3.55s would be the ideal solution?

 

[Tony Raine]

the (ohv) 4.0 makes lots of power down low.

explorers around 91-94 (can't personally verify other years) had a 3.55 gear ratio with a 4.0 and 29" tires and got pretty good mileage (over 20).



looks like you currently have 26" tall tires. your current cruising rpm is a lot higher than the above scenario (lower gears and smaller tires).

your rig is also a LOT lighter than an explorer. I honestly believe you could pass 20 mpg with 3.55 gears and responsible driving.

you could probably pick up a 3.55 geared explorer axle for cheaper than a gear swap. it will be a little wider than your axle, but not by much.


btw, i love that truck! i'm a big fan of stepsides, and i really like the color scheme

 

[Hahnsb2]

Yea, those tires are only around 26", I think 3.55s would help you.