what gear ratio do i need?

[jacobmc]

i have a 95 ranger 4.0 5 speed i want to run 33s it curently has 3.27s i was going to put 3.73s in it that i got from an explorer.i was just wondering if this is the rite ratio or do i need lower?

 

[corkey]

the correct ratio for 33's is more like 4:10 or 4:56,
4:10 for highway and general driving,
4:56 for off roading as it will use a bit more fuel,,

 

[Maniak]

the correct ratio for 33's is more like 4:10 or 4:56,
4:10 for highway and general driving,
4:56 for off roading as it will use a bit more fuel,,

Ditto.. What he said.. Course, if its a trailer queen, or not a DD, 4.88's will work really well for off-road with a manual trans if you don't have a doubler.

~Mark

 

[Brian1]

I went 4.10s with 32s. Borderline wishing I had gone to 4.56s. I would vote 4.56s and I agree with Mark - 4.88s if you dont plan to drive it on the street much.

 

[jd4242]

X^ At least 4.56!! Dont fear the gear!!

 

[Slowlyvverot]

im runnin 4.88s with 33s. I go through a tank of gas a week but i'll be damned if this pig don't have some giddy-up on and off the pavement.

 

[jacobmc]

ok thanks for the info i think im going with 31s rite now until i get out of college then im going with 37s and a sas.

 

[corkey]

i run a 35 inch tire off road now, and i have 4:10 gear, but i would entertain the idea of one day going to 4:56, maybe 4:88

 

[Flip4ford]

There is a chart around here somewhere that gives the actual gear ratios to get you back to stock levels with different size tires.
I think 33's are 4:56 and 35's is 4:88.

I am running 33's with 4:56's and love it. Good for wheelin' and on the highway.

 

[Tbars4]

...There are a couple gear charts to be found in the "How to" in my signature..

 

[Maniak]

The question though is, what is stock?

For example.. Stock 235x75r15 with 3.27 is the same as 33x12.50r15 with 4.10.

Also, Most, if not all gear "charts" are for a 1:1 ratio. Thats means for a transmission without an OD. All explorers came with a trans that has an overdrive, so those charts aren't really setup for use with a vehicle with an OD.

What I do is do a little math..
I use the calculator on 4lo.com (http://4lo.com/calc/gearratio.htm) and plug in my current settings to get a baseline.
Then I change the tire size and gear ratios to try to get the rpms about the same as they were with the baseline.
That tire size/gear ratio combo will get you "about" the same performance as the baseline. Keep in mind, bigger tires are also heavier so that will affect the "feel" also.

~Mark