which gears?

[sluginxlt]

i have a 90 2wd 2.3 manual trans on 31" tires, this is gonna be my daily driver, but want to take it on the dunes and a little offroading once and awhile so what would be best for me, 4:10s or 4:56s? and also would just a ford factory trac-lock be enough to get me through the dunes?

 

[Evan]

For a 2.3 go with 4.56s.

If you want to drive on sand with 2wd, I recommend a lunchbox locker instead of a limited slip.

 

[CTswampyankee]

I would go with the 4.56 I had a 91 2.3 4x4 with stock 4.10s running 31s an it was a dog in 2wd. It would be fine for the street with 4.10s, but wont get low end power off road.

 

[pillen140]

I would go with the 4.56 I had a 91 2.3 4x4 with stock 4.10s running 31s an it was a dog in 2wd. It would be fine for the street with 4.10s, but wont get low end power off road.

its pretty hard to get low end power with a 2.3.. isnt dune running mostly high rpm. not like trail riding? idk, ive never driven through dunes

 

[rickcdewitt]

my isuzu 4x4 came stock with 31's and 4.55's.with that combo the 2.6l four banger has lots of pull off the line and is easy on the clutch.be warned though,the engine will sit at 3000 rpm's or higher most of the time

 

[sluginxlt]

i just wanna make sure i can still take this thing on the freeway at atleast 75 mph with out it screaming

 

[rickcdewitt]

then go 4.10 or 4.30 if you like to sit at 75

 

[4x4junkie]

with 4.56 & 31s, the engine will probably turn around 3100 or so RPM at 75. The 2.3L should have no problem at all with that.

 

[sluginxlt]

thanx for all the info, im leaning towards the 4:56 but i dont know anything about building axles "my buddy is gonna show me and help me put it together, but ive read something about needing a notched cross pin or shaft for them, do i need to buy the notched pin or can i notch my factory one?

 

[Hahnsb2]

thanx for all the info, im leaning towards the 4:56 but i dont know anything about building axles "my buddy is gonna show me and help me put it together, but ive read something about needing a notched cross pin or shaft for them, do i need to buy the notched pin or can i notch my factory one?

Grind the inner edge of the ring gear, it's in a area that doesn't make contact with the pinion and will make everything a lot easier when you can fully remove the crosspin.

 

[91exploreron37]

Does the notched cross shaft only work with open carriers or can it be used on L\S carriers? I found a place that sells the cross shaft but it says for open carriers only. I have already had 5.13s installed before but the carrier bearing cap bolt came loose and stripped the ring and pinion so now I'm installing a new set. Last time we ground down a good bit of the gear teeth and the cross shaft to get it in but this time I'm thinking about just buying the notched cross shaft.
Thanks for all your help.

Also does anyone have a pic or diagram of how the notched shaft is installed?

 

[4x4junkie]

Notched pins are weak, I would strongly advise grinding the gear instead if you're running big tires.

To answer your Q, the pin is the same in a L/S carrier.

 

[sluginxlt]

didnt have to notch anything, the 4:56s and the lockright went it with no problems

 

[91exploreron37]

Sorry to hijack the thread but one last question. So the notched cross shaft is obviously weaker than the thicker factory cross shaft, but what type of stress does the cross shaft see? I thought it was just used to hold the axles out so the c-clips dont fall out and the spider gears. I dont know too much about axles so I'm probably missing something here.
Thanks again

 

[4x4junkie]

The cross shaft supports the power transfer from the spider gears to the side gears (or in the case of a lunchbox locker, it operates the gear couplers). Every bit of torque going through the diff is put through the cross shaft.