Gears and locker opinions please

[evans16]

Hey guys, just starting my build and would like some opinions please! I have a 86 ranger with a d35 and 8.8. It will see the streets daily and the once a month hard off road. I am putting 7" of lift on it altogether and hopefully running 35's. I am debating on 4.10 or larger gears? And I believe a Aussie on the front, but what in the rear which is cost efficient? Any input will help guys, thank you!

 

[strvger]

Detroit for the rear. half the cost of the selectable lockers, smoother than the LockRight, strong, reliable, won't know it's there till you need it... just the way i like it!
gears: 4.56 minimum depending on how far you drive for your commutes, etc. other choices are 4.88 (iirc), and 5.13's. 4.10's and 35" tires won't get you much in the way of driving performance, imho, even with a 5.0. if your tranny is a 5 speed manual, then 4.56's for sure for your intended activities. good luck and have fun with your build.

 

[86 slo-vo]

agreed with the above, 4.56's and a detroit out back and if the money is there a selectable up front or just something cheep like a lockright

 

[wahlstrom1]

He has a 302 guys, he can manage pulling 35's around with 4.10's. The first gens are really light, and 4.10's would give him decent mileage.....

But if your going to the effort of regearing TO 4.10's, and not just installing diffs with them already then by all means go 4.56's. I loved my 4.0L/5spd with 4.56's and 35's, 37's kinda killed the low end but it seems to build speed better. As for a locker, aussie up front is a great choice and my only choice for the rear would be the detroit as already mentioned.

Currently installing 5.13's.....

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I've got an Aussie up front in my D35 and a Detroit out back in my 31 spline 8.8 and LOVE the combo!

You can't go wrong! The Aussie is incredibly smooth up front.

 

[4x4junkie]

I think before all the suggestions of 4.10 vs 4.56 are made, it probably should be known whether he has an overdrive transmission or not. If so, then definitely no taller than 4.56 (4.88 would be even better still). 4.10s are best without OD.

 

[evans16]

hey thanks guys, yes its a 5 speed standard.

 

[86 slo-vo]

ahh you have a closer eye then me did not catch the 5.0 part....depending on how much mileage you rack up would be the deciding factor for me between 4.10's and 4.56's

 

[evans16]

slo-vo, how do you like your 4.10s? enough power there or no? I do travel about 120km a day, atleast 5 times a week... but at the same time I aint overly worried about gas mileage, just engine revs and bottom end power.

 

[strvger]

i have a 60 mi. round trip to work and back. 4.56's with 31" tires are getting me 21mpg from my 2.8, 5 speed. i'm thinking a 5.0 should get something in the high teens at least with a light foot on the gas pedal, even with 35's. no?

 

[86 slo-vo]

slo-vo, how do you like your 4.10s? enough power there or no? I do travel about 120km a day, atleast 5 times a week... but at the same time I aint overly worried about gas mileage, just engine revs and bottom end power.

havent driven on the 35's and 4.10's yet, with the 4.0 and 5 speed wont be fun which is why i plan on going 5.13's

but this is also my trail truck so it wont see much highway time

 

[4x4junkie]

The 5.0L is a pretty short-stroke engine, so a little RPM would never hurt it. I say 4.88 gears having the OD 5-speed.