Alright well i got a question.

im trying to decide what gears to run when i lift and go with 35"s.

currently i have 33"s with a 4.2 M5OD and 3.08 open diff haha.

i want to retain gas mileage and what power i do have but im not sure how high to go. my two options would be to swap out my gears for another set,(about 500 installed) or i found an axle from a 99 (that may or may not be a 9.75) with a limited slip and 3.73 gears i could get for 200 and swap myself. the axle is complete with brakes and everything. (would require work on my part but ill be lifting at the same time)

any advice is appreciated.

thanks

 

As I was reading, I was thinking "3.73's should be perfect for your situation, and put a limited-slip in while you're at it.", then boom. You already have the perfect solution!

Axle swap all the way! Use the leftover money to get a programmer and recalibrate the speedometer.

 

Oops, double post.

 

yea i posted this on another forum and i think im gonna do the axle swap and get a set of 4.30s put in before installing it and run 35"s once its installed. gonna get a tune but my 98 speedo calibration is changed by swaping a plastic gear on the trans unfortunately

 

3.73s is not enough for 35s. you want 4.56 or even 4.88s if you spend more time off road especially with a V6.

edit: scratch the 4.88 didnt see you had a manual. 4.56!

 

what about 4.30?

 

if you dont tow or haul much 4.30 would be great, but keep in mind the fuel economy difference between 4.30 and 4.56 will be minimal and those 35s can heavy for a V6. My last truck was a 01 ranger 4.0 5spd AUTO 3" body 4inch suspension on 35s. I ran 4.88s and was very happy. A manual trans doesnt have the advantage of a locking torque converter to drop RPMs on the highway which is why i recomended 4.56s

 

sounds like a plan cuz i do end up hauling often

 

 

WOW your stock gears are only 3.08's?

i thought i was pushing it with the 3.55's

 

haha yea. thats what my truck came with and it still handles the tires very well but soon enough ill have a 9.75 with 3.73 ls so itll be better haah