what gears are best

[5.0ranger]

I have a 97 ranger with a 2.3 5 speed on 35s with stock gears (I bought it like that) what would be best to put in it I've been reading 4.56 are the best to use will th highway rmps be crazy high? I just wanna be able to move the truck from a stop and take it off road also should I just go ahead and update to a 8.8 from a exploder

 

[-Nathan-]

minimum 4.88s, but with those 35s I would put 5 13's in the axles. If youre actually going to wheel it, than yes upgrade to some form of 8.8, and a Dana 35 if you dont already have one. If its an occasional putt putt offroad, than dont worry about it, that 2.3 doesnt have enough power to do much harm.

 

[4x4junkie]

With a 2.3l, absolutely 100% 5.13:1 gears.

You may have the "hybrid" D28/35 axle up front having the 4-cyl, you'll need to swap that to a true D35 not only in order to be able to swap the gears in, but to be able to stand up with tires that big too (fortunately it's only a matter of swapping just the diff chunk itself and the two inner shafts. The rest can stay, though if the donor axle happens to be in better shape than yours is, might as well use the whole thing).
Front axle I.D. info here

Definitely swap your 7.5" for an Ex 8.8" at the same time too.


Lets see some pics of this truck.

 

[5.0ranger]

how high would the rpms be at 70 with the 5.13 gears and its actually a 2wd lol i just wanna drive it through some trails every once in a while im more on road im just the only ranger on 35s in Orlando (that ive seen) so its kinda cool

 

[5.0ranger]

here it is im blacking out the truck i just need some black headlights the first pic is when i got it

 

[4x4junkie]

Oh... I beams up front lol. Ok, no worries about the front diff then


As for RPM at 70, I'm thinking around 2800-2900 or so. Anything less and you'll find you won't be able to hold 5th gear well if there's even the slightest headwind or uphill grade.

Cool truck BTW. I've always liked how the shortbed Reg Cab trucks look with decent sized tires on them.

 

[5.0ranger]

lol yea lol i love the truck cause no one has on in orlando and ive been looking. but i guess ill get 5.13s i just wanted to make sure i could drive it on the highway with out blowing it up at 7gs lol

 

[scotts90ranger]

to get 5.13's you might need a 8.8, I don't know if I would trust a 7.5 with 5.13's as I broke one with 4.10's...