Gearing advice

[michowski]

OK in the next month to 2 im going to be buying a bigger set of tires. I made up my mind to get some wrangler duratrac tires in 33x12.5x15. Right now I got a 7.5 rear axle and a d35 geared at 3.73. I plan to go to the junk yard and hopefully find a working 8.8 with 4.10 gearing in it. After looking at the gear ratio guide in the tech library im not sure what gearing to really do.

Currently I got 31x10.5x15 with 3.73 gearing and I can say from a stop its a dog. Once you get moving tho its fine and ive just gotten used to it this way. I want to bring my truck back to stock ratio when I get these new tires. Never changed gears before leaves me completly clueless as to how much of a difference going a step up in gears actually is. What would be your suggestions on gearing for a 3.0L with 33x12.5x15 to feel like a stock truck?.

 

[disciplerocks]

If your willing to put the elbow grease in, then it would be a great upgrade. And if you swap the rear don't forget the front too or you'll screw your transfer case.

 

[michowski]

I know the gears have to be the same front and rear. I was just thinking tho if 4.10 will accomplish what I want then I wouldnt even have to redo the back if I can find a 8.8 with that gearing.

 

[4x4junkie]

Definitely not.

33s with a 3.0L would call for 4.88 gears.

 

[t0x1k]

Definitely not.

33s with a 3.0L would call for 4.88 gears.

I'll be perfectly honest, people under estimate the 3.0.
I'm running 4.56 with a 9" rear and 35"x15.5s and it hauls as much ass, if not more, as it did when I had 3.73s with 31x10.5s

 

[4x4junkie]

That doesn't sound too far off, really... 3.73s & 31s isn't all that great either.
Try it with 5.13s and your 35s, then you'll really get to see what a 3.0L has to offer.

(and no, your mileage will not go down, in fact, it might even go up because it won't have to work as hard to turn those tires)

 

[t0x1k]

That doesn't sound too far off, really... 3.73s & 31s isn't all that great either.
Try it with 5.13s and your 35s, then you'll really get to see what a 3.0L has to offer.

(and no, your mileage will not go down, in fact, it might even go up because it won't have to work as hard to turn those tires)

I'd love to regear, but I just put in the axles. I wish the dana35 went higher than 5.13s, I think you go get like 6s for the 9".

 

[crbnunit]

I had 4.56's on my 3.0 with 33's. Even the speedo is correct with those gears. Big difference.

 

[Will]

Ford doesn't know how to gear trucks. Our 3.0 Pathfinder came with 4.63s with 29" 235/75-15s. That would be identical to 5.13s on 33s. 70mph is about 3,000rpm. You use the entire to tach when you drive. Really good feel to it. I hate undergeared trucks.

 

[michowski]

I had 4.56's on my 3.0 with 33's. Even the speedo is correct with those gears. Big difference.

Big difference in a good way?

 

[strvger]

i'm running 4.56 gears with 31in tires and it's perfect for my uses. but, i have a 5 speed manual. not sure how that combo would be with an auto.

 

[Frank The Tank]

I'd go with 4.56's I have 4.88's and hate them....... it eliminates the need for 1st and 3rd gear completely with 33's. I'm regearing next weekend, got the gears at Jon-Boys waiting on us to get a free afternoon.

Frank

 

[Will]

I'd go with 4.56's I have 4.88's and hate them....... it eliminates the need for 1st and 3rd gear completely with 33's. I'm regearing next weekend, got the gears at Jon-Boys waiting on us to get a free afternoon.

Frank

What engine? The 4.0? A 3.90 gear with a 4.0 (if available) would be equal to a 3.0 with 4.88s. The 4.0 is 1/3 larger than the 3.0.

 

[michowski]

Well im just going off the gearing chart in the library when I made my choice. As you can see my current setup is well suited for highway driving. With my first choice for upgrade its halfway between towing and highway so I figured when it would be the best combo. Also im not scared to rev my motor either. And I also will be rebuilding my motor with a cam, 1:8 rockers, port and polish job so I should get slightly more bottom end which I figured would make up any difference between the 4.88 and 4.56. I might be wrong but im just saying my thought process here in order to help get the best end result.

 

[4x4junkie]

I wouldn't expect much bottom end out of a 3.0L regardless of what you do to it. Go with the 4.88 gears.