ford 7.5 question

[2wdmuddin]

for about the 2 years ive owned my truck i have thought i had a 3.0 auto with 3.73. well for some reason today i got up under the truck and i have a 3.48 anyways my question is i had plans to put 235's and a lock-rite in it with a set of splash rims and eventually go up to a 30x9.50 can i still do this with the 3.48 ratio, also if i need 3.73 how expensive is it? my other question is i have a chance to buy a 91 4.0 with an 8.8 for $300, is it worth it for the axle if its only got 3.08 gears? thanks in advanced

 

[scotts90ranger]

235 75's are the same as 30x9.50's

don't spend the money to regear if you are just going to 3.73's, just grab a used axle off of craigslist or something, swapping just housings is half a days work, don't even have to bleed the brakes. regearing is at least $300 just in parts then if you don't have a connection you are stuck with about $500 in labor, my first axle swap like this I got for $5, yes $5, was the first modification I did to my truck went from 3.08's to 3.73

 

[Yellowsplash]

235/75/15's are actually 29"...

There isnt a 3.48 gear ratio in rbvs. You must have 3.45 if you have a 7.5" axle.

I would stay away from 3.08 gears regardless of what axle they're in unless you plan on swapping gears in it before you install. If your going for cheap and ease, axles with 3.73 gears are one of the most common in junkyards. Also, if you plan on staying with 29"-30" tires the 3.73 gears would be a perfect match.

 

[scotts90ranger]

235/75/15's are actually 29"...

I know, and so are 30x9.50's...

with an auto yes, 3.73's would be ok, if it was a manual and being a 4x2 4.10's would be better with that 3.0, the 4.0 is a different story, I have 235's on my explorer with 3.73's and I think it's a little on the low side, but it'll get 31's soon anyway...

on that note, here in a couple months I'll have my rear axle with 4.10s available for cheap if you are in the area... it's not perfect but will last a good 30K more miles I bet, could use pinion bearings though...

 

[2wdmuddin]

That would be awsome to be able to get that axle expesiallybwith 4.10s in it but I'm in Georgia so it be costly, but thanks though. It might be 3.45 I could barely see the numbers but the axle code was like 84. Would the 3.45 be ok to run atleast 235s because around here the 14 inch wheels are getting up there in price and I've got a set of 235s, or would it just be slow as crap?

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i have 30"s with 3.73 gears on mine and does ok
its a 5spd and 4 cyl tho.
no more 100mph tops but yeah it runs really good, and mileage isnt that hurt
i would say 3.73 is a good match for 30 inch tires
and 235/75 are 28.9"
240/80 will give a 30" diameter

 

[scotts90ranger]

with an auto it'll probably be ok with the 235's and 3.45's, I drove my manual ranger around with 235 70 15's for quite a while with 3.08's, starting from a stop was interesting and I was down a gear from where I used to be on the highway, but once I was moving I was fine... if you plan on playing offroad you are going to want lower gears though...