Help with with 9) ranger differential ratios.

[Lambertw26]

I have a 96 frame and axles that I’m putting under my 87 body. Front is a Dana 35 and rear is a 8.8. I am going to run 35’s and was thinking on running 4.56 ratio gears? My question is can I put these gears in the current carrier. Has an R6 axle code for current 3.73 gears. Also, any recommendations on where to get parts for the Dana 35 they seem harder to find then the 8.8. TIA!

 

[SenorNoob]

AFAIK Yukon is the only one making gears for the D35. Last I looked they were cheaper from Bronco Graveyard than directly from Yukon.

Also pretty sure there is no carrier break on Ranger axles.

 

[Curious Hound]

4.56 gears would be a minimum ratio. Supposedly, with 35” tires, that gets you almost exactly back to original performance. However, those wheels and tires will be heavy and add more rolling resistance. If you also install a lift kit, your aerodynamics suffer also. Therefore, the truck will feel a little bit sluggish. If you have a 4.0l v6 or a v8, it should be OK. If you have a 3.0l, it will work but feel like a dead dog. That’s my combination. If you have a 4cylinder, definitely try to get 4.88 or 5.13 ratio gears.

Front and rear axle ratios must match.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Being 35's you are getting to the upper limit of a D35.

It may be worth looking into a different axle for more gear/locker options and better lockout hubs/wheel bearings depending on your goals for the truck.

Stock engine pavement pounder you will be fine. Going to a blown 5.3 and a rock buggy you are going to break things. Where you are going to fit in the middle?

It would be a bummer to sink a bunch of money in gears and whatnot in this for you to decide you need more axle later.

 

[Lambertw26]

It will stay on the pacement for the most part.

Being 35's you are getting to the upper limit of a D35.

It may be worth looking into a different axle for more gear/locker options and better lockout hubs/wheel bearings depending on your goals for the truck.

Stock engine pavement pounder you will be fine. Going to a blown 5.3 and a rock buggy you are going to break things. Where you are going to fit in the middle?

It would be a bummer to sink a bunch of money in gears and whatnot in this for you to decide you need more axle later.

I have a 289 I’m putting in it. It’ll be on the pavement for the most part. Thanks for the help

 

[Lambertw26]

4.56 gears would be a minimum ratio. Supposedly, with 35” tires, that gets you almost exactly back to original performance. However, those wheels and tires will be heavy and add more rolling resistance. If you also install a lift kit, your aerodynamics suffer also. Therefore, the truck will feel a little bit sluggish. If you have a 4.0l v6 or a v8, it should be OK. If you have a 3.0l, it will work but feel like a dead dog. That’s my combination. If you have a 4cylinder, definitely try to get 4.88 or 5.13 ratio gears.

Front and rear axle ratios must match.

I have a 289 I’m putting in it with a m5r2 transmission.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

My Choptop is on 35’s with a 4.0 and I’m using 4.10 gears. It works, but it’s not happy, either need more engine or deeper gears. I’ve been debating on 4.56 or 4.88 gears.

With a 289 or 302, you may be ok with 4.10 gears.

My green Ranger is 302 and I had it with 3.73 gears and 31” tires because that’s what I had and money was tight, it worked, but it wasn’t as happy as it could have been. I’m moving to 28-29” tires which should make it a lot happier

 

[scotts90ranger]

I don't mind my V8 explorer with 3.73's and 31's, I think it does just fine, it never stays in 1st gear long no matter what you do unless you put it in manual 1st...

On my '90 with D35 and explorer 8.8 I have 5.13's in it but it's a 4 cylinder... with the R's it turns a V8 probably wouldn't be the happiest mainly on the street... I mean it would be a good time but cruising 3k at 60 probably isn't ideal

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I mean it would be a good time but cruising 3k at 60 probably isn't ideal

I'm not far from it with 3.73's and 31's with a 5speed... like 2600. 3k even at 70.

 

[Curious Hound]

t... I mean it would be a good time but cruising 3k at 60 probably isn't ideal

That is a tad bit low for a 3.0l

 

[Shran]

I have a stock 302, 4.10 gears and 35's in my crawler rig. I'm pretty happy with it both on and off road. The caveat there is that I have a NP435 4 speed manual with a granny gear. So it's good offroad...and good on the road... but not really great. If I went to deeper gears in the axles I would not be happy with it on the highway... and if I had a 5 speed, I would for sure not be happy with it off road. It just turned out to be somewhat of a compromise on both ends that I have grown to tolerate.

I think you would be fine with 4.56's and a V8. If you think it might see more off road time, I might suggest going to 4.88's instead.

 

[pjtoledo]

It will stay on the pacement for the most part.

I have a 289 I’m putting in it. It’ll be on the pavement for the most part. Thanks for

I'm not far from it with 3.73's and 31's with a 5speed... like 2600. 3k even at 70.

are you sure those numbers are accurate? my 2000 with 29" and 3.73 is quite a bit lower.
they are close to my 2005 with 28" tires.

I'll check to be sure.