Thanks Woody, yes I am stuck in the Midwest. I don't like mud, and can't find many rocks-- what I really like (and am able to find) is some technical, difficult trail riding. I make it more difficult (and fun) because this is my daily driver: the added challenge of sticking with "Modified Stock".

What I'm thinking about doing is leaving my axle ratios at 4.10, going to 33" tires, and using the larger (4.0 or 4.7) transfer ratio to get back down to reasonable speeds (torques) in 4Lo. This means that in 2Hi or 4Hi I'm too tall, but that's not so bad because during the week I'd run 31" tires, and on the trails I'd stay in 4Lo.

So whaddya think? Bad idea? The one problem I see with this is that the torque multiplication happens mainly after the t-case, instead of spread better over the whole driveline (if I were using a higher axle ratio). So, I better keep a spare driveshaft and CV axles (oh, did I say that my IFS is part of the fun of the trail-ride challenge?).

So, when I calculate the ratio for this (4.0 or 4.7 xfer, 4.10 axle) and consider shifting gears, and the 33" tire size, it doesn't really help me decide whether 4.7 will be too low on the trail.

Kenton

the question I would as is how low do you really need to be....if you are running a single t-case, then the drop from 1:1 down to 4.7:1 is pretty severe, and midwest mud trails would either be run in 3rd-4th gear or in high range....hardly makes it worth it.

IMO, as a "stuck in the MidWest" wheeler, a doubler is the only way to go...and you'd be happy with either around here.