Front Ring Gear Clearance Concern

[fordtech1]

I am running 33" tires with 3.55 gears and its time for me to change. I have heard the largest gear set that will fit in the front is 4.10. Does anyone know if this is true or a myth? I would like to step down to a 4.56 if it would fit. Any ideas or thoughts would be a great help.

 

[Bent Bolt]

I am running 33" tires with 3.55 gears and its time for me to change. I have heard the largest gear set that will fit in the front is 4.10. Does anyone know if this is true or a myth? I would like to step down to a 4.56 if it would fit. Any ideas or thoughts would be a great help.

5.13 is the lowest ratio for the front D35

 

[-Nathan-]

if its a dana 35 dont worry about it. I installed my 4.56's with not a singe clearance issue.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Total myth that you have heard. As said you are good to go for any ratio, the lowest available being 5.13 as stated.

 

[CopyKat]

Total myth that you have heard. As said you are good to go for any ratio, the lowest available being 5.13 as stated.

Well not any ratio. 5.13, 4.88, 4.56, 4.10, 3.73, 3.55, 3.27.

I hear that the 4.88's are no longer available and the 5.13's are getting harder to get, just like the 4.10's. So really a 4.56 is a very popular choice.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Well not any ratio. 5.13, 4.88, 4.56, 4.10, 3.73, 3.55, 3.27.

I hear that the 4.88's are no longer available and the 5.13's are getting harder to get, just like the 4.10's. So really a 4.56 is a very popular choice.

ok....get me on the technicality...you know what I meant

 

[fordtech1]

Nathan, any complaints with running 4.56 with 33's? We both have 4.0L with 5speeds.

 

[-Nathan-]

its perfect. I can take off from a stop without touching the gas if I want. If I reaaaaallllly want ti can take off in second gear. 4th and 5th are now usable, and it cruises at a nice rpm on the highway. It makes driving fun again. Have I convinced you?

 

[fordtech1]

Well I think you have cleared that up for me, nice to have a testimony like that. Time to go shopping for new gear sets. Also going to upgrade the rear carrier to a factory limited slip from the open diff that is in it now.

 

[strvger]

x2 what Nathan said about the dirveability with those gears! i'm running 31's with the 4.56's and couldn't be happier.
one thing though, i'd seriously consider getting a locker instead of the l/s. just way better traction. when my gears went in, i had a good, used Detroit and a brand new l/s to choose from. went with the Detroit even though it was used. really, really glad i did! way better than the factory l/s imho.
good luck, and have fun with your build!

 

[-Nathan-]

I had a factory limited slip, and chucked it in the garbage. Buy yourself a lockright or aussie locker. Even if you dont have the money for it now, then install the gears onto an open carrier, that way at least in the futute you can swap in a lockright. I had to source an open carrier when I wanted to put a locker in. Oh, and I would HIGHLY recommend Yukon gears, and Yukon master install kits. I will buy no other types of gears.

 

[canyoncritter]

91 reg cab longbed,4.0L, 33's and 4.56's w/5spd. lunch box locker in the rear.its about the perfect combo. As peppy as a stock truck off the line.avg 16-18 mpg as avg, could be better if I didnt have a heavy foot.3500 rpm, flying down the freeway when late to work etc lol. but at 65-70 be about 2700 rpm.

its about 300 rpm over a "stock" truck with 3.73 and 235/75/15's.

I wouldnt waste the money on a stock posi unit. you can get a lunch box locker for about the same price.and have alot more performance out of it. And they are not bad on the street at all.

 

[fordtech1]

Not to sound too green but what is the biggest complaint with the factory limited slip set up? I was just going to shim it up tighter and call it good. I have never worked on a Detroit or Aussie set up. Have been into hundreds of the factory style. How does the Detroit style drive on pavement?

 

[-Nathan-]

the clutches in them wear out, and much more quickly with bigger tires. When the clutches wear out, youre back to an open diff. So do you want a limited slip with mediocre performance that will last MAYBE a year, or a locker that will perform amazingly on the trail for the life of your truck?

 

[fordtech1]

Point well taken, just was going to work with what I was familiar with, I have replaced clutches in Expeditions and F-150 a lot. Are all lockers straight forward as far as the installation? They operate ok on pavement as well.