Topic: Diff Gear questions!

[Cheesemaker]

A couple of things! 

I saw on a site that is was OK, and recommended to run two different gear ratios in the axles.  They were saying to run 4.56 and 4.88.  They were suggesting the 4.88 in the front!  WHOA!!  Now, I know in the old 3/4, 1 tons they used to run a 4.10/4.11 combo!  But I was always told to keep the gear ratios the same front and rear!  If you don't then your gonna run into some binding somewhere, which will lead into breakage!  Then they got into the Dana 44's about running a 4.68 and 4.88 gears!  Ok, that ratio is closer, but it's still gonna cause some binding to a lesser degree!  I had chimed in the post about how I wouldn't recommend it and I got flamed for recommending the same gear ratios!  Does anybody here recommend doing two different ratios? 

So, I'll trust the info I get from this site the best!  But I still go to "other" sites for ideas and to see what everybody else is doing!  But mostly, they are local sites, that way I can stay in contact with local wheelers for when my truck is ready to wheel!  So, what's the truth?  Please help with my frustration.


And the next thing~
When I do a SAS, later down the road, I still haven't decided on tire size yet!  I'm leaning towards a 35", but I might start out with a 33", a 37" or taller is way overkill in my plans for my truck!  I know that the recommended gear ratios are 4.88 and 5.29, the 4.88 will do good on hwy and off, but you tend to loose speed on hills, but 5.29 will be better at maintaining hwy speeds and do really good off, but you tend to loose top end.  Is this right?
And I also plan on using my truck to tow a small utility trailer for dump runs and hauling yard debris.  What gear ratio would be best for my plans for my truck?  I know the 4.88 is a stronger setup, but the only hwy hills I have around here is the mountain pass going to Portland!  So, what do ya'll think the right R&P be for me?

[dirtchicken]

My truck had 33s and 5.29s and I could still go 100. I wouldn't recommend it though. I have 36s now. What do you really wanna know?

[blackdiamond]

I've run 33's with stock 4.10 and then 4.88 gears.  Now I am running 35's with 4.88s and you should go for 4.88s with 33 and 5.29s with 35s if you drive on the street.  35's with 4.88s is workable, but more gear would be better.  I don't use 5th much at all. 

[46&2]

Well I dont know what forum you were on but I have always been advised against drastically different gear ratios. My friend has a front D44 and a rear T100 axle. He has 5.38s up front and 5.29s out back but that was because they didnt have 5.29s for his front axle. I think I have heard that mud trucks use different gear ratios as it gives them better advantages in mud (turning vs acceleration). 4.56 and 4.88 seems too far apart to me. Besides I dont know why you would want different ratios anyway....

The 4.88 vs 5.29 debate has great points on either side. I run 5.29s with 35s and later I am going to go with 37s. On the freeway I can cruise 80 mph in 5th gear at a little over 3K rpms. I never go much faster than that because my tires make so much vibration and noise. I am very happy with my 5.29s. Really peppy around town but enough grunt on the freeway to keep up with traffic decently. If you dont think you will ever go above 35 then 4.88s are probably better for you. I just wanted to go larger down the road so I planned ahead and got the 5.29s.

[Cheesemaker [OP]]

46&2  this is the info I'm looking for!!  Thanks and keep them coming!   

[DTB]

I have 5.29s and 36", 22re...plenty of power on the highway and the city. I can do 75 no problem around 3k...BTW I used to have 4.88's and 33's with the same engine, weight, etc and I thought it was sluggish compared to the new gears/tires

[tom w.]

what about 5.29's and 33's?

[toyotanner]

i thought gears were suppose to be the same or one axle will pull more than the other....

[79coyotefrg]

i plan on 33's  and 5.29's  because  i do tow  occasionally