Gear ratio

[traildevil67]

Im looking to buy a dana 44 eb axle. My ranger has 3.45 gears in it. The eb axle has 3.50's Would that be too much of a difference in ratios?

If it is then im going to need to buy the rear 9" also. I dont have enough money to regear the axles yet.

Truck currently has d28 and 7.5 in it.

Also has a 302 and c4. Thats why i was looking to do the d44.

 

[Gotta_gofast]

If it is a dedicated snow or mud wheeler with NO hard pavement duties I would think it is acceptible. I do know that some people run a slightly higher gearing in their front axles on a hill climbing buggy. For me personally, I would want the exact same ratios in the front and back.

I see that you have a 302, go with the 9"!!! The 7.5" will likely give way when you need it most. If the 9" rear has the same gearing then there's another reason.

 

[Sunk]

That's within 1%... Difference is tire size could be that much. I agree though, a 9" would be a wise investment.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The gearing difference won't be a problem, its such a small difference. I wouldn't trust that 7.5 behind a 302 tho.

 

[Evan]

Would that be too much of a difference in ratios?

It will be just fine, both on and off road. Also if you air the front tires up a little in relation to the rear, the ratio would be dead on.

 

[traildevil67]

Ok because i want the 44 because of the v8, i dont know how long even a d35 would hold up. But i seen the thread on 9" vs. 8.8 so im unsure which rear axle to go with. My truck is also going to be driven to the trails, so i want axles that will withstand lightish to medium wheeling and still be able to get me home.

 

[4x4junkie]

The D35 will hold up better than an EB D44 unless you also swap the D44's shafts for ones that have the bigger 297-size u-joints.

As for 9" vs. 8.8", unless you plan on major aftermarket upgrading, use whatever you find cheapest. They're basically the same thing when stock (the 8.8's pinion doesn't hang down quite as far though, better if you want to play in rocks).

Like said, 3.54/3.55 paired with 3.50 should be fine.