Thinking about re-gearing

[03ranger30]

My truck has 4.10 gears in it and while I love them they aren't exactly ideal for highway driving. I was thinking of going down to 3.73 gears because they seem to be like the happy medium that most people go with.
I would like some opinions on this. Where is a good place to order them from and can I still keep my limited-slip if I re-gear?

Thanks guys

 

[Earl43P]

Simpler to just install taller tires. You didn't mention what size you have now....

I thought I was happy with my old 2000 3.0 4wd 5 speed until I replaced the 245/75-16s with 235/75/15s. Made the effective ratio ~ 4.28 if you do the math in comparison. http://www.dakota-truck.net/CGI-BIN/TireCalc.cgi

It woke that truck right up.

I think you are going in the wrong direction and I put a ton of highway miles on that truck before I passed it on to my son. I could hit the speed limiter in 4th or 5th gear and averaged 340 miles per (19.5 gal) tank, very consistently in mixed driving. Several times got over 380 miles while traveling.

It took about 60k miles to wear out the 245/75-16 BFG Long Trails that they installed after the Firestone tire fiasco recall (done at 18k). I went through a set of 235/75-15 Bridgestone Dueler AT Revos and then installed 235/75-15 Michelins (still on it).

You asked!

 

[brinker88]

Swap the axle with a taller gear in it. You can get a drum 8.8 for under $200 any time of day around here.

 

[03ranger30]

In that case I have 235s on the truck right now

 

[dla]

My truck has 4.10 gears in it and while I love them they aren't exactly ideal for highway driving. I was thinking of going down to 3.73 gears because they seem to be like the happy medium that most people go with.
I would like some opinions on this. Where is a good place to order them from and can I still keep my limited-slip if I re-gear?

Thanks guys

What are you expecting with 3.73's? Less engine noise? Increased gas mileage?

I don't know anything about the 3.0 V6, like what RPM it is happiest at, etc. I also don't know what you mean by "highway". Here in Oregon the speeds are 55 for state routes and 65 for most interstate routes.

Your gear change from 4.10 to 3.73 is a 10% reduction in engine rpm. That will not translate to a 10% improvement in fuel economy. Frankly I don't believe you will see any improvement unless your typical speed is 80mph.

Your regear will require a new ring and pinion set (~$150), a master install kit (~$100) and labor (~$300). Also would be a good time to replace axle bearings and seals.

You can keep your existing L/S, but it would be a good time to rebuild it when it is apart.

I've used these folks in the past and liked them: http://www.accuautoparts.com/

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

or instead of all that parts. go to a junk yard and get an axle thats already 3.73

basically all edge rangers have 4.10 gears to compensate the taller tires. being 225/70 stock tire size.

my truck had 225/70 tires and 3.73 gears when i got it., then i went 30" tires and it bogged down with the 3.73
then i got 4.10 gears and it was alive again.
i have 31s right now and it feels really good. good acceleraion and decent top speed 90-95 mph.

if u go 3.73 it wont affect it much, since my brother had a 3.0 and he got 235/75 when his 225/75 started slipping. anyway his truck didnt had any dramatical changes in acceleration or top speeds.

u will drop the rpms by maybe 500-600rpms. thats nothing compared to spending 200 or more on a new axle, or even more in regearing it.

i would just leave it as it is.
but its your truck, so u decide.

 

[4x4junkie]

I have to agree with what was said above, you're not likely to see much (if any) improvement in MPG, but guaranteed you will notice some reduction in power.

4.10 is right about ideal for a 3.0L pushing 28-29" tall tires. (about what a 235/75R15 is).

 

[03ranger30]

Well that just shows my lack of knowledge