Whats the best gear ratio for my setup?

[TonkaSTX]

Hey all,
I'm shopping for new mud tires and I'm curious what you all think is the best gear ratio to go with.
Purpose: Mudding and trails
Location: Florida
Current Setup: 7.5" rear (I believe, not sure what stock ratio is) on 35" AT's
I'm looking to get 36" SS TSL's and I've been looking at this fancy gear ratio table supplied by tirepackage.com
Link: http://www.tirepackage.com/aux_incl/gear_ratio.html
I have the 2.9L with M5OD-R1 trans (still using 2.9 clutch)
I was going to (and will eventually) swap in a 4.0 but for now the 2.9 works fine. What gear ratio would be best, headache-less, and just work best all-around, even with a future 4.0 setup...
Currently I find myself doing about 15 mph before the clutch is fully engaged in 1st gear. This is no bueno. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[-Nathan-]

with a 4.0 and 36's Id suggest 4.88's. With your 2.9 I would go for 5.13's. However....

That 7.5 isnt going to last long if your beating on it....and do you have the Dana 28 still in the front of your rig? if so, I would expect to grenade that pretty quick as well with that big of a tire.

I would suggest getting a Dana 35 front and 8.8 rear to swap out first before you spend lots of money regearing those weak axles.

 

[Xandor]

If you still got a D28 you can only fit 4.56's in there. And that only if it came with at least 3.73's in it. I think could be wrong on that last part

 

[LIMA BEAN]

with a 4.0 and 36's Id suggest 4.88's. With your 2.9 I would go for 5.13's. However....

That 7.5 isnt going to last long if your beating on it....and do you have the Dana 28 still in the front of your rig? if so, I would expect to grenade that pretty quick as well with that big of a tire.

I would suggest getting a Dana 35 front and 8.8 rear to swap out first before you spend lots of money regearing those weak axles.

1+ Indeed.

 

[Dangeranger3]

I'd find a 4.10 axle, preferably 8.8 to stick in there. If you're set on keeping your axle (more work IMO) I'd go 5.13 as you'll most likey use all those gears have to offer.