WHICH GEARS FOR 35" TIRES??

[BKennedy]

I thought I had this figured out, but now I'm back to square one, or two..

Since I think my 4:10 gears with 32" tires and an automatic transmission are too high (lot of braking for downhills), I thought when I go with 35's I should get 4:88 gears. My thinking was that 4:56's with 35's would be the same as what I have now, only alot taller.

But, there is no 4:88 gear available for the reverse rotation Dana 35. I'm leaning toward the 5:13's but need some advice. Or, just some opinions backed up with good information or prior experience.

My Explorer is used for fun and is NOT a daily driver. I do plan on pulling a pop-up trailer on camping trips. My buddy who is a shop foreman for an off-road shop says I would like the 35's with 5:13 gears cause when he had 33" tires and 4:56 gears, his Explorer was fine on the highway as well as the dirt. I am also changing out my 4" lift for a 6", have a rear "No Slip" locker and am putting in a EZ Locker in the front.

4:56's or 5:13's?????

 

[jimbo74]

Brian... I would go 5.13s then..... the only problem is probably trying to go any faster than the legal speed limit

 

[JoshC]

I'm kind of like you Brian, i was going to go with 4.88's but i'm a Dana 30 under the front of my explorer and i was told to stay away from that high of a gear for the D30, so i'm getting 4.56s. I personally think that 5.13s are to low. Mine is not a daily driver either. I figured, i've got low range, and i don't do any rock crawling, so that's what i made my decision on. Good luck.

Happy trails!!

 

[BKennedy]

99% of my off roading is at Truckhaven, which is mostly tight, slow going trails. That is why I am leaning toward the 5:13's. I am just worried about highway driving. My buddy had 4:56's with his 33" tires and we got his Explorer up to over 85 (pegged the speedo), so thats plenty fast for a lifted 4X4. He says the 5:13's with 35's would be about the same as his 4:56's with 33's.

ANYBODY RUNNING 5:13 GEARS WITH 35" TIRES AND AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION?????? If so, how is it????

 

[Jefe]

I've got 4.88's, 35's and an auto and I run about 2800 rpm at 75mph in OD. With OD off it can get up near 4000 rpm. So I could easily see how 5.13 could limit your speed, especially if you have to take it out of OD to tow up a hill. But they would be awesome for offroading

JoshC,
You seem to be missimformed. The 95+ Explorer front end has a D-35 regular cut. You can put 4.88's in, but can't put 5.13's.

 

[JoshC]

Jefe, actually i'm putting a D30 SFA under my truck, guess i forgot to mention that!

Happy trails!!

 

[BKennedy]

Thanks Jefe. The best gear for the 35" tires is 4:88's, but for some reason known only to the manufactures, its not available.

If you are getting 2800rpm at 75 with 4:88's, I am thinking the 5:13's would be okay on the highway. I don't want to do all this work and be unhappy with its off road performance. I know the 4:56's will give the same performance as I have now, just with a lot more ground clearance.

I have another month before I need to get all the parts ready, should be done in the first few weeks of Feb.

What I really want to know is.....DOES ANYONE HAVE 35" TIRES AND 5:13 GEARS WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANNY?? If so, PLEASE TELL ME ALL ABOUT IT!!

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by JoshC
Jefe, actually i'm putting a D30 SFA under my truck, guess i forgot to mention that!

Happy trails!!

Ah. . all makes sense now. Good luck

 

[RangerX]

I'm wondering if the late model autos have a different OD ratio. Granted I have a 5 speed, but I turn 2800-3000 at 75 mph with 35s and 4.56. Just a thought.

 

[BKennedy]

I guess I am going to have to let everyone know after I have them installed (in Febuary). I am going with the 5:13's based upon the following;

I don't like the 4:10's with 32" tires that I have now, not enough power on the street, truck does over 100mph (not necessary or smart with lifted truck), too much downhill speed in low gears, it lugs at freeway speeds up slight grades, and I need to keep it in 4low to climb anything.

If I go with the 4:56's and 35" tires, it will be the same power ratio as with the 32's only a lot taller.

I am planning on towing a 2,000-2,400lb camping trailer and want more pulling power than I already have now, without doing a bunch of engine modifications (like to keep engine mostly stock so I don't have breakdowns or problems I can't fix in the desert).

My Explorer is NOT a daily driver so I can go a little extreme on the gears.

And....they don't make a 4:88 for the reverse rotation Dana 35.

Will see everyone out in Truckhaven in January!!