your ideas on best all around rear axle gears

[markmitchinnh]

I would like to know what you guys think about what the best all around gear ratio for traveling and general driving around.

[MountainManJoe]

[1Gary]

Copied that chart Timeless.It does leave alot to be questioned when it come to a torque/power curve.But is a ballpark ref.

I think a good all around gear is 3.73's.That is taking into account you V8 conversion as well.

[MountainManJoe]

Gary, the numbers in the boxes are engine RPM with a 1:1 transmission ratio going about 65mph.

You decide where that fits into your performance curve.

[1Gary]

Oh.it didn't say that. #-o

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Mark, there are so many different factors it's hard to say what is best. A stripped down shorty cargo 2WD driving in the flat lands of the mid-west would do great with a 3.08 or 3.23's but a fully loaded 2005 AWD is a dog with 3.42's. It all depends on the driving style, type of terrain and ambient outside temperatures.

[doyoulikeithere]

I really liked the 3.08s in my 2wd shrorty, but it had a 5 speed, so not sure how it would be in an automatic...
Same van now has 3.73s, and on the highway I'm always wanting to shift up into 5th , but I'm already there...

[1Gary]

I really liked the 3.08s in my 2wd shrorty, but it had a 5 speed, so not sure how it would be in an automatic...
Same van now has 3.73s, and on the highway I'm always wanting to shift up into 5th , but I'm already there...

Let me look in my crystal ball.........aaaaa there it is.I see a 6 speed Tremic in your future.

[Smiliesafari]

I changed from 3:42's to 3:08's when I built the 12 bolt. It works fine. I really didn't feel much difference. My van is primarily a highway vehicle. I did the change to get a bit more MPG.
Nice chart TL. Thanks.

[6spd_monte]

I really liked the 3.08s in my 2wd shrorty, but it had a 5 speed, so not sure how it would be in an automatic...
Same van now has 3.73s, and on the highway I'm always wanting to shift up into 5th , but I'm already there...

Let me look in my crystal ball.........aaaaa there it is.I see a 6 speed Tremic in your future.

+1!

[madslammer]

I have an 87 shorty with a 4 inch lift, 235-75-15's and I'm planning on 3.73 with a Gov-Loc... I know I need to get a set of 28 spline axles... The question is, Is the 3.73 too high a gear??? I'm not sure but the one the van has now is a 3.28 I think...
:-k

[doyoulikeithere]

I really liked the 3.08s in my 2wd shrorty, but it had a 5 speed, so not sure how it would be in an automatic...
Same van now has 3.73s, and on the highway I'm always wanting to shift up into 5th , but I'm already there...

Let me look in my crystal ball.........aaaaa there it is.I see a 6 speed Tremic in your future.

+1!

Never gonna happen,
Its in a 4x4 1987 Shorty - with 3.73 and a G80 and 235-75-15 tires... (To MadSlammer - sound familiar?)
Do they make that transmission in a 4wd style?

[madslammer]

The table above is supposed to be for a "1:1 transmission ratio going about 65mph.", The 700r-4 has a fourth gear that's .70:1 s... That's pretty close to the .73:1 5th gear on the T-5. So i guess it would be better to run 3.42's or fit 31"s under the van... ???

[doyoulikeithere]

The table above is supposed to be for a "1:1 transmission ratio going about 65mph.", The 700r-4 has a fourth gear that's .70:1 s... That's pretty close to the .73:1 5th gear on the T-5. So i guess it would be better to run 3.42's or fit 31"s under the van... ???

I'm quite thankfull for the 3.73 when in the bush starring up a steep gravel hill, or towing a heavy load !
What do you want to use the van for?
mine isnt really intended for a lot of highway use, I have other vans for that.

[madslammer]

The table above is supposed to be for a "1:1 transmission ratio going about 65mph.", The 700r-4 has a fourth gear that's .70:1 s... That's pretty close to the .73:1 5th gear on the T-5. So i guess it would be better to run 3.42's or fit 31"s under the van... ???

I'm quite thankfull for the 3.73 when in the bush starring up a steep gravel hill, or towing a heavy load !
What do you want to use the van for?
mine isnt really intended for a lot of highway use, I have other vans for that.

I don't really use it off road, but rather I need it to perform well all around... It's mostly highway used, with the occasional dirt road and slightly muddy situations...
Thanks...