How low of gears should I be swapping my axle out for?

[92’PdxRanger]

I have a 1992 Ranger (4cyl , 2wd) and I just put 32” tires on it. I am wondering is the 4.56s were overkill or would the 4.10s work just as well for my truck. I am just unsure due to my small engine size.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I think you made the right choice, on a 4x4 you could probably get away with 4.10's but 4.56's would be nicer... being 4x2 I agree with your choice. Having had my '90 with 4.10's and 31" tires at one time it was workable but hard on clutches, on my '97 4x2 4 cylinder Ranger with 4.10's as well I tried 235 75 15 tires for a while but had to shift between 4th and 5th way too often for comfort and ended up going with the next size down

And welcome from a fellow Oregon member!

 

[92’PdxRanger]

I just realized that I left a lot out . New wheels are 255/70/r18 and it is a manual. I’ve been looking at for parts rangers online and it’s hard to know what axles are usually 4.56s, are they certain years that have such gears or do I just have to go junkyard hunting?

 

[Curious Hound]

I would recommend 4.10

Gear Ratio & RPM Guide For Larger Tires - The Ranger Station

This Gear Ratio & RPM Guide will enable you to see how many RPM's your engine will turn based on gear ratio and tire size.

www.therangerstation.com

 

[2011Supercab]

Your chances of finding a Ranger with 4.56's are next to none, They are out there but extremely rare.

8.8" open code 98
8.8" L/S code R8

 

[Curious Hound]

Your chances of finding a Ranger with 4.56's are next to none, They are out there but extremely rare.

8.8" open code 98
8.8" L/S code R8

I have one in my driveway. Aftermarket gears, though.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Yep! The "R8" axel code is the one. A LSD w/ 4.10 with 32 inch tall tires is working well off road & on. 31 spline axles are included. The best an 8.8" can get in my opinion, and there out there if you know where to look. Good luck & hope you can find one!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Oh, you're trying for a factory axle? there was only a couple years of 4.56's stock on FX4 Level 2 Rangers that's it...

I punched 32's and 4.56's into my spreadsheet and I think they'd be ideal for a 2.3L... very similar to my 28's and 4.10's

 

[rusty ol ranger]

According to car-part, and a few other quick google searches 4.56's were aan option in 2wd 4 bangers after 03?

News to me. Interesting

 

[00t444e]

I would look for the 97 code which is a 8.8 4.10 gear open differential. The factory limited slips are junk and it is a waste to look for one, if you get the open diff you can put a Lock Right locker in which works much better.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Nothing wrong with a limited slip if you come across one.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Nothing wrong with a limited slip if you come across one.

I agree but they do wear out and when they do they take out the spider gears if you aren't paying close enough attention... which is why I ended up welding the spiders in my '00 Explorer (not a daily driver so meh...). I shoved as many shims and clutches as I could into that thing and it lasted 50k miles before the spiders stripped... not near as stripped as when I got the thing but still...

 

[MaicoDoug]

4.10 Torsen LSD in mine. With the larger housing & 31 spline in the factory 8.8. But it's being babied with the 4.0.

 

[19Walt93]

I would look for the 97 code which is a 8.8 4.10 gear open differential. The factory limited slips are junk and it is a waste to look for one, if you get the open diff you can put a Lock Right locker in which works much better.

I worked at a dealer for 42 years and could count the number of Traction Lok problems we had on my fingers- and not use all 10. One of my techs had a Lock Right in his 97 2wd and it sounded like it was grinding itself to death when he turned in the parking lot but it got him through mud season for years.

 

[00t444e]

I worked at a dealer for 42 years and could count the number of Traction Lok problems we had on my fingers- and not use all 10. One of my techs had a Lock Right in his 97 2wd and it sounded like it was grinding itself to death when he turned in the parking lot but it got him through mud season for years.

Most people don't notice when they have problems because they just wear out and work like an open differential, even when brand new they don't work that well. I run 85w140 gear oil in the rear axle and don't even hear my lock right.