Ideal Gearing

[Andy Maurer]

I recently upgraded my axles to a Dana 44 rear and 35 front with a spartin locker. The new to me axles came with 3.73 gears, which is better than the horrbile 3.07 I had before, but I still feel as it is a bit under powered. I have the 4.0 engine, 5 speed manual and am running 32 inch tires. Could someone tell me the "ideal" gearing for this setup? I will probably upgrade to 35's someday, but it will be a long way away as I have a whole bunch of upgrades to do before I can pull the trigger on that.

 

[Alex0413]

4.11 gears would be ideal for 32" tires, 4.56 for 33", and 4.88 for 35"

If you're planning on upgrading to 35's I'd at least gear to 4.56 so you don't have to re-gear again, ideally would be gearing to the tire you're planning on running. Too much gear is far better than not enough gear.

 

[Rob5589]

Gearing for 32's is different than with 35's. You need to decide when you plan to go up in tire size and whether you can live with what you have until then.

If you want to re-gear before the 35's go on, 4.88 is my recommendation. You'll be running around 2850 @ 70 with 32's. 4.88 is a good middle ground. If you can wait until the 35's go on, 5.13 gets the nod.

 

[Alex0413]

Gearing for 32's is different than with 35's. You need to decide when you plan to go up in tire size and whether you can live with what you have until then.

If you want to re-gear before the 35's go on, 4.88 is my recommendation. You'll be running around 2850 @ 70 with 32's. 4.88 is a good middle ground. If you can wait until the 35's go on, 5.13 gets the nod.

He has a 5 speed, wouldn't 5.13 gears for 35's be overkill? (for on-road)

 

[Fonz54]

I recently upgraded my axles to a Dana 44 rear and 35 front with a spartin locker. The new to me axles came with 3.73 gears, which is better than the horrbile 3.07 I had before, but I still feel as it is a bit under powered. I have the 4.0 engine, 5 speed manual and am running 32 inch tires. Could someone tell me the "ideal" gearing for this setup? I will probably upgrade to 35's someday, but it will be a long way away as I have a whole bunch of upgrades to do before I can pull the trigger on that.

Interesting. I did not know that you could use a Dana 35 as the front differential.
Lou

 

[Andy Maurer]

Interesting. I did not know that you could use a Dana 35 as the front differential.
Lou

Typo, that should have read a Dana 30 front with spartan locker....

 

[Rob5589]

He has a 5 speed, wouldn't 5.13 gears for 35's be overkill? (for on-road)

Nope. 2800 @ 70 is not "overkill." 2600-2800 is an ideal rpm at fwy speed.

 

[Andy Maurer]

4.11 gears would be ideal for 32" tires, 4.56 for 33", and 4.88 for 35"
Too much gear is far better than not enough gear.

Don't I know it. I bought it with 32" tires and 3.07 gears, 5th was useless.

 

[Bitsniffer]

I am about to regear. I have the same axles and setup and my 5th gear with 3.73 is also useless. Looking at 4.56 myself.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I am about to regear. I have the same axles and setup and my 5th gear with 3.73 is also useless. Looking at 4.56 myself.

Your Profile is still empty, what model year, size tires, and engine do you have?

 

[Bitsniffer]

Strange. Everything is filled out.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Your Profile comes up now, I think there must have been a network delay seeing it before. Yes with that info 4.56 would be the perfect choice for 33's. But if you think you will ultimately get to 35's I'd go 4.88.

 

[Bitsniffer]

Your Profile comes up now, I think there must have been a network delay seeing it before. Yes with that info 4.56 would be the perfect choice for 33's. But if you think you will ultimately get to 35's I'd go 4.88.

Someone discouraged the 4.88 due to the size and strain in the diff. I will add an ARB locker at the same time of the regear. Keep in mind, I am an IT guy and not a mechanic. Appreciate your suggestions.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Someone discouraged the 4.88 due to the size and strain in the diff.

Stop listening to whoever said that, they don't know what they're talking about. Really. 4.88 is an extremely common and popular ratio for Dana 30, Dana 35, and Dana 44 axle. Heck even 5.13 is a common and problem-free ratio for Dana 30 and Dana 44 axles. I ran 4.88 for probably 15 years and 5.38 for the last year.

 

[Rob5589]

Someone discouraged the 4.88 due to the size and strain in the diff. I will add an ARB locker at the same time of the regear. Keep in mind, I am an IT guy and not a mechanic. Appreciate your suggestions.

And here I thought the 5.13 was the weak pinion culprit

Personally, I'd lean toward 4.88 over 4.56.

 

[Boinked]

You will get different opinions on 4.56 vs 4.88. When it comes to 33s and a 5 speed.

I have 4.56 and @ac_ has 4.88. Same 4.0 and same ax-15 We both love the gears we have. So its really just preference.

 

[SB2200]

I have a Dana 44 /Dana 30 set up with 4.88's ARB lockers front and back, and run 35's.
2600 to 2800 RPM in 5th gear at 70MPH and can usually pass without downshifting. My opinion 4.88 is the perfect choice for 35's with a Ax15