gears in a 3.0

[t5cents]

ok so i have a 1998 ford ranger extra cab 4x4 with the 3.0 a 5sp. d35 and 7.5 i want to re gear it and right now im running 235/75/r15 with 3.73. now if i put in in high i have no power on the sand and bog out, if i put in it low im in 4th gear doing about 15-20mph. i like how low the low gear is and thats good for rock crawling and stuff but it could be even lower so i could use high on the beach in 1st of 2nd with no prob. and low would be a totally crawling gear. i want to run 32 rite away and then go to 33 with torsion crank and rear leafs. i was thinking that 4.56 would be good since my dads bronco with the 302 has 4.11 and 33 and is pretty low. but according to the gear chart on this site the 3.73 is in the same range with 29's as 4.56 would be with 33's. so in the end what gears would i need do u think to run 33's and maybe even 35's if i hack my fenders and be able to cruse the beach in 2nd high and crawl over rocks idling in low with the amount of power i have available.

 

[kennykenny]

From a dead stop 4 high isn't going to get you anywhere in the sand with a 3.0 and 5spd. I have a 3.0 5spd 4.56's with 33's and 4 hi is only good for driving in snow. If you want 32's or 33's go with at least 4.56. And with that setup low range is most definately your friend.

 

[Hahnsb2]

I don't understand everyone's desire to use high range off-road, it's much easier on you clutch, engine and tranny to use low range. While re-gearing is a good idea when increasing tire size, no matter what I think you're going to find the 3.0 just doesn't have the balls to do anything in the sand in high range.

 

[4x4junkie]

4.88s is what's ideal with 33" tires on a 3.0L. Unfortunately this will also force a rear axle swap to a 8.8" as that ratio is N/A for the 7.5"

4.56 is available though, so that could work out as a compromise if you don't want to swap the axle.