what gear ratio would be best for the 2.3l

[davej87]

i got a 2.3l with the 3.73, i have 235/70r15 on it, i want it to be a posi, im not sure if the 4cyl can handle the 410s, or should i just look for the 373 trac-lock?

 

[Bryan22]

4:10 would be great for that truck. You'll definitely notice a seat of the pants performance gain.

 

[davej87]

should i stick with the 7.5 axle or should i up to the 8.8?

 

[Bryan22]

if you can find an 8.8 great, but if you're keeping it on the road and not generally beating the life out of it, a 7.5 if more than enough for the 2.3.

 

[davej87]

will it beat the tranny up at all? and will i have to upgrade my clutch? im leaning more towards the 7.5 cuz i do drive it to work and drive my son to doctors as well as mudding, im just sick of getting stuck due to it being a 1 wheel wonder,lol

 

[Bryan22]

you're not going to hurt anything either way. just the 8.8 is a stronger axle. i hear you on the one wheel thing. i found an 8.8 with 4:10 and LS out of an 06 for my ranger. Lots more traction when both wheels turn. soon a 9 inch though. haha.

 

[davej87]

my buddy has an extra 8.8 410 that came out of his 04 mustang, he said i could have it if i wanted but i wasnt sure if it would be to much strain on my engine or tranny, i already know my good gas milage is gonna go to shit tho

 

[schlutzer]

Your gas mileage won't change much. Since your tire tire will be less than 30" high. And the 8.8 won't do anything to change your mileage.

I run 235/75/15's and my mileage barely changed, once I corrected my speedo. Because don't forget, you can't calculate it the normal way once you chance tires or gears, unless you correct your speedo.

 

[davej87]

How do I correct the speedometer?

 

[Bryan22]

I think a mustang 8.8 is different. might be a little bit of work to make it fit. I'd just keep an eye out for a ranger rear, unless you're confident enough to fabricate a few things. they also might be narrower. im not for sure though

The 8.8 will not put any extra strain on anything. dunno where you're getting this idea from.If anything going from 3.73 to 4.10 gears will cause less strain since the motor will have more leverage over the tire.And for the mileage i bet you'll actually see an increase.

 

[badmts]

I have 4.56 and still get 25 mpg on interstate

It seems counter intuitive at first but the lower gears will HELP mileage up to a point as they alow for easier starts because you only have to gas it a little .If you have ever driven in a vehicle with big tires and stock gears you will remember the driver riding the clutch too much or really putting his foot into it to just move away from a stop.when we put the 4.56's in (31.6 tires with a 2.3 5spd d28/7.5 open) it was like night and day ,you could feel the difference in drag race type launches ,but what I like is you just drive normal and you use less fuel and less clutch (I must say "MR.Clutch" is lovin' it now).There are some very useful calculators ,charts and info in the tech section -but with 28-30 inch tires 4.10 sounds about right.

 

[Duane867]

LOL ! a 4:10 gear set will help gas mileage up to about 35 miles per hour.
Then you'll get V8 mileage above 40.

 

[KARMAN]

LOL ! a 4:10 gear set will help gas mileage up to about 35 miles per hour.
Then you'll get V8 mileage above 40.

Not True.
He already has 3.73.
Not much different at all.

 

[Bryan22]

LOL ! a 4:10 gear set will help gas mileage up to about 35 miles per hour.
Then you'll get V8 mileage above 40.

ya because we're all in 5th gear at 35 mph in a truck that dosen't start building power till about 3k rpm... some of the automatic 2.3 and 2.5's came with 4.10 from the factory. My brother in-law has one, and he sees 25MPG highway on a regular basis.

 

[strvger]

4.56 in mine and i get 21 on the highway, in a 2.8 v6, carrying a full load of 42 gal. of gas, and all the stuff for a 1600+ mile trip! i'm sure he'll do better with the 4 cyl and 4.10's.