4.56 on 33's! Is this too low?

[sirhk100]

I'm going to look at a 1991 auto 4.0 explorer tonight that is running 4.56 gears on 33" tires. Is this to low for highway speeds? What will gas milage be like? My friend has a 93' ranger on 33's with 4.10s and says they're perfect. I'll obviously test drive it first but what do you guys think?
Thanks,
Khris

 

[RFR2212]

This gear/tire setup is one of the most popular setups on the site...there are alot of memebers running this, and my guess is an average of 13-25mpg.....I've got 3.73's and 33's off road and 35's for the street....other mods are planned and gears are one of the last...I'm about 12mpg in the town...not sure on the highway...The gears will be just fine
Pete

 

[Ray Lobato]

I don't think you are going to come anywhere close to 25MPG, I would say more like the best you will get will be 18 at best. I have 33's and 4.10's and the best I get is 18, but then I probably have about 500lbs more on my truck than most people.

 

[tdavis]

I was getting 12-18mpg with 4.56's and 33's, and with 4.56's and 35's now, I'm getting 15-20mpg now.

You Milage May Vary (YMMV).

If you've got a lead foot, you'll burn gas like crazy.

5.13's are the crazy ones I say..

 

[DOGMAN]

Khris,

4.56 with 33's is just right. I run this myself.

Your friend that likes his 4.10 and 33" setup has a Ranger, which is quite a bit lighter than an Explorer. So he's not pushing as much weight as you will be. I first had 4.10 gears when I first installed my 33's, so I know the comparison. I get better mileage overall now with the 4.56 than I did with 4.10, since the motor is operating closer to it's designed powerband. I get about 14mpg around town, and about 16-17 on the highway. Having said that, don't expect great mileage when you're running a 33" tire. If great mileage is what you're after, don't buy an Explorer with 33" tires.

 

[sirhk100]

Thanks for all of your responses.

Dogman,
That's the info that I wanted to here. I'm glad to here that you are actually able to compare the 2 gear setups. This is a 2wd explorer so it may get a little better but whatever. I'm not worried about the gas milage just curious what to expect. I've also got a 89 civic that's worth about $1000 in reality but it gets 35-40mpg and in SoCal where the gas this morning was $1.87 for 87 octane this makes it worth much more in my mind. Thankfully the explorer won't be a daily driver, it'll sit in the garage next to the Jeep waiting to go bomb around the desert with.
Later,
Khris