bronco 2 on 35s, what gears best? 4.56 or 4.88

[1989-4btranger]

Hey guys just working on my 90 bronco 2. Just trying to decide on 4.88 or 4.56. I've got a 90 ford 302 efi i'm dropping in with a m5r2 and np271. Axles are 8.8 rear with hp dana 44 front. The axles were in a diesel conversion ranger that was parted out and they had 3.73 ratio so either way i'm swapping gears. I'm stuck between the 2 ratios but thinking 4.88s might be a better choice as my 302 will basically be stock. intended use is weekend wheeling, some summer daily driving. Not a dedicated trail rig, might even use it for hunting so i'd like it to pull the quad too.
I live in Canada so our speeds are slower than most of you USA guys. And with all the mountain passes in BC we need all the help we can get getting up hills. Limits are usually 62 mph and sometimes 68( say 60-70 for a nice even number). But, having driven my ranger on 35s and sas and good size lift(i robbed the suspension and axles for this build) 60 mph is a handful in the corners as is, lol.
pheww, sorry this is a bit long winded, haha. Last point. People say 302 likes 2100-2500 rpm cruising and 4.56 would put me at 2200 at 62 mph and 4.88 would be 2400 rpm at 62 mph.
What are your guys thoughts? People who have 4x4 v8 conversions i'd love to hear what you guys did. Thanks!!

 

[gw33gp]

I run 4.56 gears with 33" tires. I know 4.56 gears would not work very well for my vehicle with 35" tires. I have a manual transmission and you could probably get by with 4.56 gears and 35" tires with an automatic. but I don't think it would be ideal.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Hook with this guy. BC is a big place but he's 'local'?
08 FX4 SAS | The Ranger Station

 

[Curious Hound]

I'm running 35's and 4.56 gears with a 3.0l. It's adequate. 4.88would be better. If I had a 302, I'd be satisfied with 4.56 gears.

 

[4x4junkie]

You're using an OD transmission with your swap... No question, 4.88:1

 

[sgtsandman]

Here's a chart from the Tech Library that will give you a visual on what the guys are talking about.

Gear Ratio & RPM Guide For Larger Tires - The Ranger Station

This Gear Ratio & RPM Guide will enable you to see how many RPM's your engine will turn based on gear ratio and tire size.

www.therangerstation.com

Based off the chart, I would go with 4.88. I've seen 5.13 or 5.29 for the 8.8 before but I can't remember if I saw a matching one for the front differential. You having a D44, that may open up options or maybe not. They would give you some better grunt for the hills at the expense of fuel consumption but with the tires you are looking to run, I don't think it would be a huge penalty.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I have 5:13 for front and back stashed away. D-35 and 8.8.

 

[Shran]

I personally am very satisfied with the 4.10s in mine however I have an NP435 trans that has a 6.9:1 first gear. I would likely want much deeper gears if I had any other transmission. I do have 35's on my truck and a stock '89 Crown Vic 302.

The engine part does bring up a good point. Is yours stock? HO or non-HO, car or truck engine? Mine is only rated at like 150hp and I doubt it even makes that. It will maintain highway speeds fairly well but it's really kind of a turd... I imagine if your engine is similar to mine, and you're wanting to run highway speeds in 5th gear, you will DEFINITELY need 4.88s at minimum just to avoid downshifting a lot. If I had a 5th gear, it would not be usable, as I would be in 4th all the time just to keep up with traffic.

 

[1989-4btranger]

Hey guys! Thanks for the replies! So my 302 is all apart, and it's gonna be stock other than an RV cam and headers. 185hp is the rating so I guess I might see 200 crank hp. Nothing to get real excited about but it's a cheap build and nothing beats the sound of a HO firing order 5.0!!
Yeah ill do 4.88s, I've done weight measurements and estimated the truck will weigh 4500 without camping gear...so that will work.
Oh and trans is gonna be the Mazda m5r2, .80 5th gear