regearing with a 351 and full size axles

[351wExplorer]

here is my dilemma. i am currently running 315/75/16 procomp xterrains with fullsize 9inch and d44. Slightly built 351 sitting under the hood with a c6 backing that up. I have a NP208 transfer case. My gearing is 3.50 which is terrible. I have yet to regear it because the motor has enough hp to push it around at a decent clip... i run with my buddies dodge ram with a 360 and another buddies f150 with 5.4, if we have a rolling start. from the bottem end i get killed. I need to regear for offroading purpuses mainly, also spooling the rear and possibly a selectable locker in the front. My main problem is i cant decide which gears. I am thinking 4.56s but with the 3speed tranny im afraid it may be to high. so for now i am sure 4.10s would be good but light and 4.30s would be great. 4.56s would be killer i am sure but i am keeping on the street until i go to 38.5 swampers, which will be when the pro comps go bald.. next fall probably. so i obviously dont want to regear in a year or so, but i dont want to run around for a year or so topping out at 75 you know. i think 4.56s would be decent with the 38.5s considering the fact that i can peel the 35s i have on there now around a corner with the 3.50 gears. SO I AM LOST THERE ARE WAY TO MANY VERIABLES.... sorry for such a long post i just need to straighten this out...

 

[boominXplorer]

4:10s

 

[351wExplorer]

the problem with 4.10s is that i am afraid that they wont be enough when i go up to 38s... do you have any experience with 4.10s and 35s?

 

[Eddie X]

I had a '81 full size bronco with a c6 and 35 and 3.50 gears. Deceided on 4.11 and had plenty of power, stop and go and off road, but the hiway driving killed me, around 3000 rpm. If you run 4.56, plan on the 38.5 fast. Buy the way, ended up running 36 fun countys and had the tranny rebuilt with a dropped 1st gear.

 

[Eddie X]

Oh yea, I had a windsor also, mildly built with a carter card.

 

[bmxking5]

I say 4.10s. If you could get your hands on something in between 4.10 and 4.56, such as 4.30, then go with that. If you find you don't have enough power with the 38.5s and 4.10s....build the motor up some more

 

[Creager]

4.56 dude

less engine strain = better gas milage anyway. Just be light on the throttle on the highway, and i promise your gasmileage might actually go up.

and if you DO plan on going 38s then there is no point in going 4.10 or 4.33 to just regear to 4.56 later down the road.

its just planning head. What you plan on doing in the future should determine what you do now. Otherwise what you do now, determines your future.

4.33 would be your next bet, skip 4.10 haha. But if you cant get 4.33, then go straight to 4.56.

 

[dman726749]

pm jamest he has a 351 with 35+ tires...he will be able to give the best advice.

 

[351wExplorer]

thank you everybody for your advice... i will let you all know which i decide on.

 

[nak4af]

I went with 4.56 with my 35's and regret not going 4.88. If you have the build up bug (obviously you do) then go for the worst case scenario. If you plan on going with 38's then definitaly go with the 4.56 gears.

With my 35's and 4.56 gears, I get 2,500 rpm at 65mph. Take off kills me, and offroad I always have to put it in 4 low and use 2nd gear to have any kind of giddy up. Also have to go from 5th to 3rd in order to pass someone with any kind of momentum. With 4.88's I would sacrifice the top end but acceleratio in 4 hi would be soo much beter. I'm even considering going to 4.88 in the near future. I will decide that if I ever get another front axle for a SAS. Hope my .02 may of helped.

 

[351wExplorer]

well i can already pass people no problem with the 3.50s but the again im shifting down to 2nd from 3rd. if i am offroad i can peel the 35s no problem but on road its kinda slow. i think i will just go with the 4.56s and take it easy at high speeds.... haha if it will get over 65

 

[Creager]

think i will just go with the 4.56s and take it easy at high speeds.... haha if it will get over 65

you will make it to 65... real quick haha.

untill you get your 38's im sure that will probably be the fastest you will want to be going... but it makes up itself when you feel the brute launch at the stop lights.

 

[rookieshooter]

You have learned your lesson well and made a wise decission grasshopper. And now you are no longer lost. You and the 351 will become one, going down the highway, not holding it back, but flowing with it. And now it is time for you to kickass.

 

[351wExplorer]

james t actually suggested 4.88s if i plan on going up to a 38.... id love it but for the time being i dont think i could handle it.... maybe i will just stay around the 35-37 inch tire range and run the 4.56s. i really want to go with 38-40s in the near future but i just bought these tires brand new and am not ready to buy new again

 

[351wExplorer]

well i pretty much decided on 4.10s for two reasons

A. i decided after these tires are bald i will lift my truck 3 or so more inches and run 36s or 37s

B. availability, 4.10s are all over the internet for like way cheap.. especially the d44 with a carrier and everything like 50 bucks

 

[Creager]

A. isnt that the reason why you wanted 4.56?

B. I dont know about 50 bucks, what brand is that? i sure wouldnt buy from no gear company that sells for 50 bucks haha im pretty sure 4.56 is just as avalible, com' on be a man

in the long run yr gonna be pissed you rushed into re-gearing to 410

i say WAIT, and save your money... get a nice detriot to put in the rear with an ARB or something upfront. This way when your new tires go, you can finally get those 37s with some 4.56's at the same time.

 

[nak4af]

Get the gears you want! Trust me, I still wish I'd of gotten the 4.88's for my 35's. Don't do it 'cause you will regret it in the end.

 

[sn0border88]

TheRookie is runing 5.13's with 35's, and as far as i know he is doing better on gas than me and keeps up pretty well on the highway.

 

[351wExplorer]

on ebay the carriers and everything are way cheap... i still havent commited, i say 36 or 37s because at one point i was planning at lest 38s.. dont know i geuss i will just see what happens, i am currently puttin away $200 a week for later usage in my truck