I have been seeing all of the re-gearing threads on here...so now I have 35" tires on my truck, I have not re-geared and my questions are: Is it absolutely necessary to re-gear? If I dont re-gear is it going to mess something up? I have only had my tires on a few days, but the drive doesn't seem too different, I drive highway miles and dont do any hauling or anything, its just my everyday truck.

 

If you don't think you need it than don't worry about it.

If you ever want better performance gears should be one of the first mods.

 

If you haven't noticed any differences, keep your stock gears. I don't like heavy 33" tires with 3.73 gears, but everyone is different.

 

^ X2 ^

Hell - I have OEM 20's and I still will be installing 4.10's or 4'30's

bubba

 

what could I expected performance wise if I did re-gear say with 4.56's?

 

You will gain acceleration and you gas milage may go up very slightly since your engine will no longer be "lugging" or straining on hills.

 

Thanks for all you guys help. I will look into getting some gears now...

 

Yes!! Huge misconception most of the time. Lower gears will improve gas mileage.

Most people think the increase in rpms' will decrease gas mileage but rpm is a very small factor in that equation. Yea, right now your rpm's are lower at highway speeds, but like Wandell said, you're really loading that motor to maintain the same speed as before. With gears, you'll have the opposite effect. Higher rpm's, but substantially less load on the motor. Not to mention the fun factor.

You only think your truck feels fine now. Drive it for a couple of months and get really used to its performance...then go get gears and come back and tell us about it.

 

Yep, with gears you have to find the "sweet spot". Too low and the engine is screaming at 65mph which hurt mpg's. Too tall and the engine is lugging and constantly downshifting, which also hurts mpg's.

 

In town or when towing I just leave the overdrive off, on flat highways in Louisiana not too much of a problem with overdrive on. Crusing at 70mph I can get up to almost 18 mpg. 5.4 engine, 3.73 gears with 315x70 BFG's.

 

It is fine to drive with 35's and 3.55 or 3.73 gears but don't expect it to accelerate like it did before.I drive mine with that combo but i don't like it!!!Just don't expect it to be like it was.I notice wanting to accelerate at highway speeds in overdrive the most.I have to give it considerable more gas now or make it downshift.Also mine only spins the 35's a few feet now by just punching it from a stop in a straight line.I haven't cheacked the gas mileage but i know it's not good at all.Gears would be priority if you towed!!