Gearing

[mongoose289]

What gears do you guys run with the 5.0's? im using 35" swampers and
3.73's and rarely use 5th gear. should i regear?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

3.73's are a little steep for 35's and any motor IMO.

i'd run 4.56's

 

[mongoose289]

In 4th gear doing 45mph the engine runs at 1800 rpm.How much do you think the 4.56 would change it? Im also getting about 6mpg right now.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

theres a tire and gear chart in the tech library:

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/gearandtirechart.html

35's with 4.56's at 65MPH in direct drive (4th gear) would produce 3,045RPM. minus 15% or so for overdrive and call it 2500RPM or so at 65mph. just about spot on.

your gearing probably isnt helping your 6mpg figure, but it certainly isnt the only cause...you got issues.

 

[mongoose289]

i think i might find a explorer axle with 4.10 gears and go from there.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

gearing is 90% personal preference. even with a torquey v-8 i wouldnt go lower than 4.56...but its your call.

 

[mongoose289]

i have the 28 spline 8.8 now and would like to upgrade to the 31 spline. So picking one up out of the salvage yard with 4.10's for $100 would be a cheap upgrade. Unless you know of another 8.8 that has 4.56's besides the fx4's

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

the FX4's have 4.10's, no RBV came from the factory with anything deeper.

FX4 axles arent real common junkyard items, wish you luck.

 

[mongoose289]

some of the newer rangers (i think the fx4 level 2's) came with them