Question about 4.56 gears

[richyrich]

Hey guys this is my first post here so just want to introduce myself...

Ok so today I tore out my rear end which is a 7.5 with 3.73s cuz I was going to swap it with an 8.8 axle I found with 4.10 gears and limited slip.

Well.... after more reading Im really starting to think if Im going to go through all the trouble and cost that I should probably take it one step further and go 4.56 gears since I have a 3.0 am planning to run 33 BFG mudders.

With the cost involved I want to be able to feel good about my investment and feel some damn torque in this truck for once.

I tried making some calls today but every junkyard in my area was closed so I am stuck sitting here staring at my truck with no rear end in it and hoping that Monday I will be able to find a rear dif with 4.56 gears AND possibly with a limited slip if I get lucky!!

So my question to you guys is what is the likeliness that I will find a rear end at a junkyard with 4.56's already in it? How common are they and what years and models did they come stock with 4.56 and LS?

Next question...Also once I change this rear dif Im going to have to match the front gears. So would I be better off trying to find a front dif already with 4.56 or just buying a gear set and having my mechanic put them in. Which is more cost efficient?

And FINALLY and most importantly if I do find axles with 4.56 gears... Will these axles off the newer Rangers than mine just bolt right in to my "98?

I would really really appreciate some help with these questions as I need my vehicle ASAP for work and I want to make sure I do this right... Thanks

 

[swamprat]

I dont think any ranger came out with 4.56 gears. Do you already have the 4.10 with LS? If you do then if you find 4.56 just swap carriers. Might cheack out E-bay for the gears.

 

[danger88ranger]

Your going to have to buy 4.56s and set them up yourself or have someone do it for you. I would put the 7.5 back in until you have the gears done in the 8.8. Having the axle out makes a gear install much easier. But to each his own.

 

[c_note]

if you would rather go 4.88s, im removing mine in the very near future.

im running 4.88 with my 33s and a 4.0 v6. my truck will cruise at 75 at 3,000 rpm. im sure that on a 3.0 it might be a better match for 33s than 4.56s.

im moving to 5.13s to run 35s and later on 37s once the 35s wear out.

 

[richyrich]

Man this is bad news

Your going to have to buy 4.56s and set them up yourself or have someone do it for you. I would put the 7.5 back in until you have the gears done in the 8.8. Having the axle out makes a gear install much easier. But to each his own.

The problem is that the 7.5 I took out was kapoot... So now Im sitting with nothing in the rear and the option to buy a complete 8.8 with 3.73's for $300(canadian funds)which will get me back on the road tomorrow and then get my mechanic to regear both gearsets for 4.56 which will cost an arm and leg especially with the IFS OR the other option is I found an 8.8 4.10 geared complete rear with limited slip which the wrecker wants $700(canadian) and I could just get my front diff regeared to match the 4.10 and try to be happy with that, and maybe throw in a programmer for a little extra hp?
Its gonna have to be one or the other now. I just cant afford to buy the 4.10's l/s axle and then regear both diffs to 4.56 after that.

Which route would you guys choose if you could only pick one for the money spent? 4.56 gears and no l/s? OR 4.10 gears with the limited slip. I just dont know what to do and I need my truck on the road ASAP for work...

Would 4.10's be that bad or would it leave me always kicking myself that I didnt go the other 4.56 route? My truck is so gutless right now with the 3.73 and 32's but would 4.56's not be worth missing out on the limited slip?

I respect your guys advice, so please point me in the best direction...

 

[Shran]

You'll notice the difference going to 4.56's. However you'll be ok with 4.10's though. I am running 4.10s and 33" tires. Deeper would be nice but I am going to go solid axle so there's no point buying gears for my current junk.

 

[MikeWild]

Where are you located? I'm in Vancouver and I've got a 7.5 with 3:73'sLS and will be yarding out a ranger 8.8 that's in there shortly but keeping the 4:56's and e-locker in it. Waaaay cheaper than what you've already been quoted. Those prices sound pretty steep!

 

[richyrich]

Hey Mike I really do appreciate that and Im actually not too far away (Kelowna). Problem is Im really not too keen on the 7.5's anymore, as Ive read they are crap and mine turned out to be just that...

NOW as for that 8.8 with 4.56 and e-locker I WOULD GLADLY take off your hands, if you change your mind on keeping the gears and locker let me know...

And yeah those prices do suck but there's hardly anything in the wreckers around here for my truck and Im in a real pinch right now so unfortunately im screwed. I called around and everyone in this neck of the woods is about the same.

Let me know if u wanna give up that 8.8 with all the goodies

 

[4x4junkie]

I doubt you'll be happy with 4.10s on the 3.0L (unless you go down to like a 29" tire).

How about buy the 3.73 axle (or some other axle with an undesirable ratio that could be had cheap), and then regear to 4.56 or 4.88? (4.88 would be best if you're wanting 33s)

 

[2ranger87]

Hey Mike I really do appreciate that and Im actually not too far away (Kelowna). Problem is Im really not too keen on the 7.5's anymore, as Ive read they are crap and mine turned out to be just that...

NOW as for that 8.8 with 4.56 and e-locker I WOULD GLADLY take off your hands, if you change your mind on keeping the gears and locker let me know...

And yeah those prices do suck but there's hardly anything in the wreckers around here for my truck and Im in a real pinch right now so unfortunately im screwed. I called around and everyone in this neck of the woods is about the same.

Let me know if u wanna give up that 8.8 with all the goodies

I wouldn't say the 7.5 is "total" crap. I've been running a 7.5 4.10 l/s in my 90 4.0 supercab for the last year with no issues. And that includes towing my boat(s)........

 

[richyrich]

I doubt you'll be happy with 4.10s on the 3.0L (unless you go down to like a 29" tire).

How about buy the 3.73 axle (or some other axle with an undesirable ratio that could be had cheap), and then regear to 4.56 or 4.88? (4.88 would be best if you're wanting 33s)

Exactly what I decided to do. I bought the 3.73 today, took it home and got 'er all cleaned up ready to bolt in, now Im just waitin for a shop to open tomorrow to get some U-bolts. And then Im going to re-gear this diff to 4.56 and maybe throw in a locker. Im sure 4.88 would be sick but I dont really want to lose all my MPG, as I do some highway driving. Im hoping 4.56 with a programmer, intake and exhaust will get me where I want to be.

Couple questions now...First, do you think I should even bother cracking this diff open to change the gear oil in it, even though Im going to have to open it up again as soon as I find and order some gears and will have to change it then?

And secondly...Anyone know where I can get a good price on 4.56 gears for my rear and front?

 

[Shran]

Yes, change the gear oil. Things might happen that prevent you from regearing as soon as you want to. That way you have cheap insurance if you need to drive it.

 

[4x4junkie]

Your mileage will NOT be less with 4.88 (in fact it might be marginally better, especially with in-town driving).
The 3.0L is a revver, it's more efficient at higher RPMs than say, a 4.0L.

I would at minimum pop the fill plug out and look at the oil's condition. If it shows any signs of water contamination or looks discolored, definitely change it if you plan to drive it at all in the meantime.

Edit:

Gears here:
http://www.trsfabandoffroad.com/products/gears.htm