I need help with this whole regear and locker thing.

[littleblueranger]

Ive spent all day reading over this site. I have looked over the charts for regearing and tire sizes and all, but still dont quite understand enough to make a purchase.

First off my Ranger is a 2002 2wd 3.0l edge. Body and suspension lift with 33inch tires. I have a 5r55e trans and 7.5 rear with 3.73 gears.

The truck is 90% daily driver. But I am known to get off the pavment and have a little bit of fun. I want to increase the amount of fun I can have by installing a locker in it. Im not intrested in swapping an 8.8 rear in it. Just better gears and locker.

I do plan on a larger tire in the near future, but nothing over a 35inch tire, but I want to keep this in mind when I regear.

The powertrax lock-right (trsfabandoffroad.com) sounds perfect for what I do with my truck, but Im confused by the 4.10 and down. does these mean down as in 3.73 gears or down as in a lower gear like a 4.56?

Wich leads me to my next question, would 4.56 gears be a good choice now with 33's and also with the 35's? Or could I get away with the 5.13 gears and still have an effective daily driver?

I do have the 5 speed auto transmission so would that fifth gear make running at highway speeds (nothing over 70) easier to do with 4.56 or 5.13 in the rear?

Thanks for reading and any help is very much appreciated.

 

[Hahnsb2]

I blew up my locked (lock-right) 7.5 on 33s with only 4.10 gears on the street, granted that's with a 4.0.

You need 4.88 gears for 33s and 5.13s for 35s, you can't get 4.88s and the pinion on 5.13s is too damn small IMO.

What it means is 3.73 and numerically lower (IE 3.45s, ect). You can get around this buy simply grinding the edge of the ring gear tooth in the way so you can slip the cross-pin in, this doesn't hurt anything. The ring gear doesn't get in the way till 4.56 gears on the 8.8.

Start becoming interested in the 8.8 swap.

 

[strvger]

for a 90% daily driver and an auto tranny, i vote for the 4.56 gears and a Detroit locker. those gears are good all around and should do you well up to 35's, but will be happier with 31-33 inch tires. 4.88 and 5.13 will be fine off road and probably around town, but perhaps not so great on the highway. keep in mind your 3.0 will be pushing some really big, wide, heavy tires and at freeway speeds, it will could be a challenge for it. actually, 35 inch tires on a dd will be challenging more components than just the motor on a dd. that's all un-sprung weight and you would be checking your bearings, suspension, and steering components frequently i believe. i've seen bigger on the mall crawlers, but they are just that. real off road driving will challenge your truck as well as your skills.
Detroit lockers are strong, smooth, quiet, dependable, and worth the extra money, imho.

just my $.02.

 

[Bennybooster]

start becoming interested in the 8.8 swap.

x100000000000000000000

 

[Hahnsb2]

for a 90% daily driver and an auto tranny, i vote for the 4.56 gears and a Detroit locker. those gears are good all around and should do you well up to 35's, but will be happier with 31-33 inch tires. 4.88 and 5.13 will be fine off road and probably around town, but perhaps not so great on the highway. keep in mind your 3.0 will be pushing some really big, wide, heavy tires and at freeway speeds, it will could be a challenge for it. actually, 35 inch tires on a dd will be challenging more components than just the motor on a dd. that's all un-sprung weight and you would be checking your bearings, suspension, and steering components frequently i believe. i've seen bigger on the mall crawlers, but they are just that. real off road driving will challenge your truck as well as your skills.
Detroit lockers are strong, smooth, quiet, dependable, and worth the extra money, imho.

just my $.02.

4.56s aren't enough for 35s with a 4.0, let alone a 3.0 auto.

 

[strvger]

^^ exactly. part of the power the 3.0 does have will go to the auto tranny. that's why i'd go with 32-33 inch tires and the 4.56. will be much easier on the truck and will help it last lots longer, imho. 3.0 with 35 inch tires just doesn't seem like it will be enough engine really. i know some have done it, but i wouldn't want to with a dd.
but that's just me.

 

[littleblueranger]

I have decided to go with the 8.8 swap. I have my old car I can put around to work in so even if the trucks down a few days while im swaping the rear it wont affect me. Hopefully a local junkyard had a fx2 level 2 sitting around waiting on me, if not an exploer will do.

The tires I will be getting are Yokohama geolander m/t. Although listed as a 35 inch tire its truley a 34.4 and will only get smaller with every mile. Tho my 33inch tires of this type hold up increadiby well on road, over 40,000 miles on them and still lots of life left.

Between the tires, a low gear and the fifth gear in my transmission I should be ok with just the 3.0L right? I'm looking for honest opinons and not smart ass answers. I only have an intake and exhaust and perhaps a programer chip in the future.

With the 8.8 rear and between a 33 and 35 inch tire what gear set would suit me best? The 4.88 or 5.13?

Thanks for all the help so far guys, I love this site. People actually want to help and not just keep saying how there trucks are so much better.

 

[strvger]

if your dd activities include more than a few miles on the freeway, then i'd go the 4.88's. just around town a few miles each day and the trails on the weekend, then the 5.13's.just my $.02.

 

[4x4junkie]

The auto trans has a bit steeper OD gear than a manual (.75:1), go with 5.13s.

 

[disciplerocks]

Start becoming interested in the 8.8 swap.

I also agree. You can find a stock one with 4.10s and limited slip easily. Got mine for $70 including the core.