If I get 33s, will I need to change gears?

[WannaXP8]

I have a 98 with the 5.0, AWD, If I get a BL, Im gunna run 33s, and If I get them, will I need to change my gears?? If so, what gear ratio should I use??

 

[Lifted95X]

what gears do you have now?

 

[Rx4phun]

3.73 sucks if you have to drive up hills/mountains especially on the highway. You can live with it, well I can for now, but if you got the $$ I would get 4.56 or (4.27 if you have 2wd). I dont think that 4.10s would be worth the swap. If you have 4.10s I would stay with that unless you are going to wheel

 

[WannaXP8]

4.56s?? ya right...if I wanna get like 7 mpg...

 

[WannaXP8]

well how do you tell what gears I have now??

 

[Rick]

Originally posted by WannaXP8
4.56s?? ya right...if I wanna get like 7 mpg...

You will get 7mpg if you DON'T change gears. What you want to accomplish is to keep the RPMs the same with the bigger tires at any given speed. That way the engine will remain operating at it's "sweet spot".

You can find gearing calculators here: www.randysringandpinion.com

 

[Alec]

I get around 20 mpg now on the highway with 4.30 gears and 33s. IMO 4.30s are great if you are 2wd. However, since you are AWD I'd recommend 4.56. You're RPMs may be a bit high over 85 mph, but they'll be great at any speed below that.

 

[Rx4phun]

yeah I used to get almost 20 mpg on the highway before i had the lift. Now I am pushing it if I hit 12. I am hoping new gears will fix this but they arent in my budget until at least end of febrayr . Anyone out there got some 4.56 for sale I would be interested. Anyway I am not happy with 33s and 3.73. I am also not happy that i rub but that is life with 33s