What would I gain?

[JoshT]

I'm looking to change from my current 3.43 (IIRC, know it's 3.4 something) to a 3.73 gear ratio. This in on my 1984 Ranger which is currently running 225/70R14 tires front and rear. In the next year or so I'll probably be lowering front and rear 3" and step up to a slightly bigger and wider tire in the rear at that time to fill the gap. I'm pretty sure that 3.73 will still be a good gear for the largest size I'd run, as I doubt I'd go any taller than 28" diameter. What would I gain just from the gear change? I know I want to stick to a stock gear ratio, and pretty sure 4.10 would be to much for my purposes.

I could care less if it's a 7.5" or an 8.8" axle as the 2.8 won't be putting out enough power to damage it. The brakes also aren't a concern as I've alredy got 10" drums and am not planing to move to move to disk brakes any time soon. When I do find a new axle it will likely be a limited slip but it isn't a necessity, just if it's available to me at that time I want it.

Just want to verify this. If I want a slightly wider axle I need to go with a post 92 axle right? IIRC it'll give me an extra 3/4" width on either side? If so that'll be my axle of choice as I want to widen the rear track a little without buying new tires. Should also make it easier to find wheels with the backspacing I need later on without having to go custom.

Thanks,
-Josh

 

[metalmacguyver]

That 3.4something is a 3.45 ratio.

yes 93+ axles are wider than 92- axles.

That gear change will put a little more pickup in your pickup.

 

[JoshT]

I didn't think .43 sounded right, .45 it is. So the move from that up to 3.73 will get me more acceleration (assuming that's what you mean by pickup) right, but won't really affect top speed. How would it affect shifting? I mean I move through first gear pretty quick as is, would this change make first shorter or longer? Or I guess when you shift wouldn't really be affected as much as the vehicle speed when you shift. More acceleration would mean higher speed at the same shift point (RPM)?

I know that there has to be a better gear ratio than the stock 3.45 for my set up. I'm wanting to increase all round performance over what amounts to an economy gear set that's currently installed, but I don't want to seriously compromise drive ability. Right now I'm thinking the 3.73 it the route to take.

 

[98ranger4x4]

I didn't think .43 sounded right, .45 it is. So the move from that up to 3.73 will get me more acceleration (assuming that's what you mean by pickup) right, but won't really affect top speed. How would it affect shifting? I mean I move through first gear pretty quick as is, would this change make first shorter or longer? Or I guess when you shift wouldn't really be affected as much as the vehicle speed when you shift. More acceleration would mean higher speed at the same shift point (RPM)?

I know that there has to be a better gear ratio than the stock 3.45 for my set up. I'm wanting to increase all round performance over what amounts to an economy gear set that's currently installed, but I don't want to seriously compromise drive ability. Right now I'm thinking the 3.73 it the route to take.

it would make first gear "shorter" meaning you would accelerate quicker and be at a lower speed when you shift (if shifting at the same rpm)

 

[JoshT]

it would make first gear "shorter" meaning you would accelerate quicker and be at a lower speed when you shift (if shifting at the same rpm)

And this would also mean that crusing the interstate at 65 the RPM will be higher with 3.73 than the 3.45, right? If that's the case I'll probably stick with the 3.45 and just try to find the wider axle. Guess the best thing to do will be to wait till after I get my Tach and vacuum gauge installed and see what the engine is doing now, and to get the carb properly set up. Well that and get it past the break in period for the new engine. From what I've been told that, due in part to the lack of sound deadning, these engines sound like they are spinning deceptively fast compared to actual RPMs. So get that tach on to find out what I'm actually running at before I change it up any.

 

[Totalled]

2.8's like the gear... 2,800-3,000 is their happy place for interstate driving. You will gain mileage by going to 3.73s.