When To Shift?

[Jay FX4]

I did the SOHC 4.0 as well but I'll have to look for it.

I'd like to see that one....

 

[Weston Wagner]

When To Shift

I have a '96 ranger and i usually have to shift at about 3,000 rpm. That works for mine but yours is probably different.

 

[fastpakr]

Why do you think you have to shift at 3000 rpm?

 

[Weston Wagner]

It just feels right, like when when the acceleration is almost over for that gear.

 

[fastpakr]

You've passed the torque peak by then, so your acceleration in that gear is decreasing, but you're still accelerating faster than you could in any other gear because of torque multiplication (power is a function of RPM and torque).

 

[Will]

Now, if you had the chart for a 2.9... and a 3.0

I don't have the curves, unfortunately. Too bad because GM makes absolutely everything public. Jim has media credentials but he says he can't find anything in their media section either. Old or new.

 

[pappy_308]

he's right 2000 is the best and won't put wear and tear on the engine 3500? go easy but i'm talkn about for street driving offroad u might need the rpms

 

[michowski]

Just listen to the motor and shift when needed. I dont look down at my rpm guage to much, just go by sound and desired action.

 

[Great_Big_Abyss]

I turned your excel spredsheet into a graph. Gives you a nice visual representation.

 

[yamaha6]

In my 07 4.0L I can hit 6 grand easy..... Pulls hard, bone stock engine. 4.0L 4x4 31" tires 4.10 Lim slip axle and a 5 speed standard.

 

[MountainMike]

Hey guys I found this when I was bored on google. BAM! Curves!

OHV makes horsepower to about 4200 so shifting at 2500-3000 seems alright on the motor to me, because that's when torque starts falling off.

 

[1996DANGERRANGER]

i have a 96 manual and the rev limiter is at 6grand. and unless your racing a good shift for power and mpg is round 2500rpm.

 

[pcollins]

Hmmm. I normally shift at about 2200rpm. Unless i really need to get going quickly. then i wait till about 3200.

 

[Bennybooster]

I shift at about 3000 rpm. although goin up a hill in first i usually go a lil higher and when im just cruizin i shift a little slower.

 

[Enzo_Guy]

With my 4.0 SOHC I usually grab another gear between 2250-3000RPM. I go up closer to 3000 in 1st/2nd and 2nd/3rd (4.10 gears, otherwise I'm not even off the clutch before I'm shifting again) then drop down to 2500 for 3rd/4th and 2250 for 4th/5th. My truck is pretty windy and I think I have a much different experience from a lot of other Ranger owners just because of those gears.