gears?

[zonki00]

I have 3:73s in my truck now and I'm running 33s. This isn't the best combo. I know I should have 4:10s I think. I don't really want to break the bank on new gears but I need them. So what would be the best direction to go for me? I have a 7.5 rearend. Would it just be best to get an 8.8 with 4:10s and then just get new gears for the front?

 

[skiboarder]

I have 3:73s in my truck now and I'm running 33s. This isn't the best combo. I know I should have 4:10s I think. I don't really want to break the bank on new gears but I need them. So what would be the best direction to go for me? I have a 7.5 rearend. Would it just be best to get an 8.8 with 4:10s and then just get new gears for the front?

If you are lucky enough you can find a dana 35 with 4.10s from the factory. The 8.8 with 4.10s are not as hard to find, but not easy also. I think you are on the right track money savings. I also run 33s with 3.73. I am going 4.56s. you might ask yourself what type of driving you will be doing most. This will give you an idea if 4.10s will be low enough, or if you need to go lower. That is why I chose 4.56s. 4.56s cover the broadest area of usage that my bronco will see.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I also would suggest you go with 4.56's if you are going to do a re-gear. especially with the 3.0L

3.73 to 4.10 isn't much of a jump at all.

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

I have a lot of research into this subject myself, and I am only dealing with 31" tires.... my 3.73 ratios performed poorly with 235's..... much less my 31's. After a lot of thought, and research, I used this tool in our tech library-

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

Just input the factory tire size in inches, your new tire diameter, and your current ratio. It calculates your realistic ratio, and on the right it gives you ideal ratios to restore it to OE performance. I was on the fence about getting 4.10's or 4.56's and this made it clear for me that 4.56's ought to be in my future for this truck to make it driveable again...lol. Go find a 8.8 and a D35, and stuff 4.56's (maybe even 4.88 for your 33"s) in them.

 

[strvger]

i like my 4.56's. incredible difference over the original 3.45's that were in it. if you shop carefully and find some extra dollars, you might get lucky like i did and also find a nice detroit locker for the rear. mine was used, but in excellent condition and only $250, iirc.
good luck with your build!!

 

[lone-wolf]

I'm in the same situation, 373s and 32" tires with a slack 3.0l
I was thinking 410 but definitely feel 456 or maybe even lower is the way to go. As 33" tires is the next step.

 

[zonki00]

so 4:56s look like thell be the best. where can i get the best deal on them? i need it for the dana 35 up front and the 7.5 in the rear, and when i change them can i keep my stock posi?

 

[jamie4ltr]

4.56!

Don't waste your $ on the 7.5"! Find an Exploder 8.8" to build! I've been running 33x11.5R16 AT's and 4.56 gears in my 4.0ltr Super cab Ranger for the last couple of months going to work on the highway. I don't do more then 115km/hr (roughly 2800rpm) for any extended periods of time, but it's no struggle to get up to that speed and I NEVER have to downshift for a hill! I seem to be getting the same fuel economy as when I had the 4.56 gears in my regular cab Ranger with 35x12.5R15 MT's! I think 4.56 gears and 33's with a 3.0ltr would work excellent together!

 

[jamie4ltr]

JT's

I'm sure Saquatch_Ryder would agree with me that "JUSTDIFFERENTIALS.COM" are excellent people to deal with and have pretty decent prices!

 

[strvger]

my 4.56's are in my '83 with the d28/7.5 axles. no problems at all. BUT, i don't abuse my truck. you can break anything on your truck if you try hard enough no matter how it's built. for most folks, it's not so much WHAT you drive as HOW you drive that determines how well the vehicle performs.
just a thought.

 

[4x4junkie]

33s with a 3.0L needs 4.88s, no question.
4.56 would be great with a 4.0L... but a 3.0L need more RPM to be happy.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I'm sure Saquatch_Ryder would agree with me that "JUSTDIFFERENTIALS.COM" are excellent people to deal with and have pretty decent prices!

Do I know you?

 

[jamie4ltr]

Sasquatch_Ryder: I live outside Calgary. You recommended JT's to me last year! I had good luck with them so another Ranger friend ordered his gears and lockers from them too! There's a guy named Tyler that lives in Terrace, says he knows you, that's been emailing about a 4" suspension lift I have for sale. Small world!

 

[jamie4ltr]

I find the 4.0ltr, 33's and 4.56 gears a bit steep for highway driving! The 3.0ltr revs much higher then the 4.0ltr, that's why I voted for 4.56 gears. If it's mainly a trail rig I'd say 4.88's, but I think he's mostly highway driving!?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Sasquatch_Ryder: I live outside Calgary. You recommended JT's to me last year! I had good luck with them so another Ranger friend ordered his gears and lockers from them too! There's a guy named Tyler that lives in Terrace, says he knows you, that's been emailing about a 4" suspension lift I have for sale. Small world!

Ah k. I don't remember what I did yesterday let a lone a year ago!

Yea I know Tyler, he's gotten a few parts from me over the years.