Hi all,

When I go to regear my truck in a few weeks, I'm planning on going with the 4.56 gears in the front and rear of my 97 4.2 liter v6 4x4.

I'm currently running 35" tires with the chip, air-raid, catback, etc.

Anyone have any experience with these two setups?

4.56's and 35" tires.

4.88's and 35" tires.

What will my top end be with each of these setups?

Fuel Mileage?

Right now, with the 4.10's, the truck has a bit of a problem making it up some of the grades, here in Southern California.

With the smaller tires I had on here (33's) I could get up these grades in 4th gear with no problem. With the 35's I either stay the same speed or lose a few mph from the base to the top of the grade. I'd love to be able to climb these grades in 5th.

Any input or information will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Bud

I am pretty sure that 4.88 is NOT available or will not fit in the 8.8 rearend that i believe you have. And the 4.56's will be plenty. If you wanted it to be near as possible to stock ratio's you would need 4.30, but they dont make them for the front dif. So get 4.56 front and rear and i think you will be happy.

climb a grade in 5th? why?

just curious why you don't want to downshift.

Cuz I like to leave the cruise on. Don't like to have to struggle on every steep grade.

Bud

Hey man, I have 4.56 gears with the 5-speed, the V6 and 35" tires. It revs fine on the freeway and I don't have a problem until I hit about 85mph or so, then it revs way to high for my tastes. I tow wheelers and the occaisonal boat around and I have never had a problem. There are 4.88 gears available for our trucks (both front and rear diffs)- I would have gotten them if they were available back when I did the swap. Go to www.chrismans.com and you will see a drop down menu for the 8.8 IFS front end. You will then see all the ratios listed to include the 4.88.

Later-
Crotteau

Heya Abrams,

Thanks for the reply.

I think I'll probably go with the 4.56's. Seems a good ratio for 35" tires and lift.

Steve