Rear end gearing advice needed

[free wheelin]

I'm a newbie here and this is my first post. I'm not a mechanic but I can ususlly get-r-done with lots of research and good advice. Couple of issues I need you guys help with (96 Mazda B4000 ext cab, 4wd, auto locking hubs):

1. My differential tag (S356F) says I have a 3.27 ratio with 8.8 ring gear but I can't find anywhere that tells me the number of splines on the axels. I see both 28 and 31 splines listed various refferences. How can I tell what I have without taking the rearend apart?

2. I want to go to lower ratio ring and pinion for more power and acceleration. I'm running stock size tires and rims with a 5 speed manual trany and do most of my driving on the street and moderate off-road ocassionly. What would you reccomend---I was thinking 4.27 gearing but I don't want to go to low and sacrifice highway speed and gas milage any more than necessary.

3. Im also planning to go with Powertrax No-Slip locking rear unit---any advice or comments are appriciated.

What a great forum!---most of you guys seem to know your stuff. Any help you can give this newbie wanna-be mechanic is welcome.

 

[adsm08]

1. You have a 28 spline. Explorers and FX4 Level 2 Rangers are the only ones that got the 31 spline.

2. No such thing as 4.27 gears. 4.27 creates a pattern where certain teeth hit each other more often and wear to each other and make noise so nobody really uses it. 4.10 or 4.11 are about where you want to be.

3. I have no comments on lockers. I mostly build street vehicles.

 

[cdawall]

Rangers 04 and up have the option for the 31 spline 8.8" I have it on my edge I recommend 4.10s and remember to get front gears otherwise your going to be hoping around like crazy...as for the locker im looking at one myself.

 

[free wheelin]

Thanks for the help

Thanks for the help. That's exactly what I needed to know.

 

[NMB2]

depends on your budget... as already stated i would recommend a 3.73 gearset with stock tires... 4.10 if you are going to jump up a little bit. As for lockers, if you have the money ARB's will be your most street friendly choice, if on a budget... Aussie or spartan.

 

[free wheelin]

Yeah, I was thinking 3.73 gears rather than the 4.11s. The 4.11s may be to low with my stock tire size and the way I use the truck. One thing I'm not clear on---I know the front gears need to match the rear gear set---what exactly are the front gears. How do I identify them when I order?? As you can tell I'm new to this 4WD stuff!

 

[NMB2]

should be a dana 35? somebody else chime in to know for sure

 

[MountainMike]

You have a Dana 35 TTB front axle. When ordering gears make sure you tell them specifically that you have TTB axle as the gears are reverse cut.

 

[AllanD]

Actually, on a 3.0 powered 4x4 of any year, even with stock 235/75-15 tires
I'd recommed 4.10s as MINIMUM gearing

I've got a 3.0 4x4 supercab sitting in my yard with 3.73's and even though the engine is dead when it ran it was still a dog...

4.0 4x4s are "happy" with 3.73s, but 4.10 are just a little much with stock tires


AD