My 85 ran pretty strong in Colorado with 32 inch tires and 4.10 gears. I am currently running 4.88 years with 35 inch tires in my 89. I first ran the 4.88 gears in my 85 with 33 inch tires. It was a great combo and the 33 inch tires were just too much for the 4.10 gears.
blackdiamond,
So you guys don't think I'm a complete ree-tard...
I've always known about the suggested R&P change when changing tire size, I just never changed the R&Ps in any of my trucks, so... I had zero actual experience - only what you guys said who did make the change.
Since I had a Marlin Crawler T-case for rockcrawling, the 33s on my 22R '85 it didn't really bother me that much because I always had 4th gear for driving on the freeway loaded for camping or bucking a head wind. Looking back, the R&P swap would have been a very good idea, especially running 33s.
Now, with my future plan to pull a travel trailer, I focused on the engine rebuild, and wasn't thinking so much about the gearing. Then you guys reminded me that the R&P gear change can make a big difference.
Since I was focused on freeway speeds in 5th gear, as it turns out mathematically, I was NOT that for off.
4.10s at 80 MPH, 5th gear is 3022 RPM and at that RPM my DD says my rebuild is at 152 lbs of torque (theoretical).
4.56s at 80 MPH, 5th gear is 3361 RPM and at that RPM my DD says the rebuild is at 153 lbs of torque (theoretical).
I've always known about the gear ratio torque multiplication factor (I learned about that back in the days when I was driving my '63 Vette convertible and then my 67' Singray Fastback), but I just didn't realize that it would, mathematically, make that much difference between 4.10s and 4.56 (recommended change for 31" tires) in my truck.... it does.
The spread sheet will make it more clear, when I get it posted.
Despite all debate on chassis dyno vs engine dyno testing, and real world rubber-on-the-pavement results and data (and I've studied the subject quite a bit), I want to see for myself what it will show, whether or not it produces absolute data, it will at least give me a baseline and something to mentally masterbate over.
As Jerry at 22RE Performance said... (paraphrasing) spending time and money tuning the 22RE is a critical to get the maximum power and performance out this little engine. And.. that is what I experienced, especially with my 22R. Surpisingly, for me, little gains in torque was very noticeable.
And, as Snowtoy posted his question about losing significant power, he indicated that even after all his diagnosis, testing and analysis, he believes it was just the DISTRIBUTOR CAP!! .... Wow...
Gnarls.
