Topic: need easy cheep lower gears

[n.c.84]

I'am wanting more power in my 84. right now it has 31s on it. i assume it has the stock 4:10 gears. what would you all suggest on getting 4:56 or 4:88 gears? im new to building these trucks and not sure where or what to look for in the newer model differentials. thanks

[Rocksurfer]

If you get 4:88's You'll be a little bit too low, they'd be more matched to 32's/33's for a stock ratio.

[BUBBA]

If you are planning on keeping 31's,what I would do for cheap would be to just find some 3rd members from a 79,I think about all came with 4:38 gears and all you would have to do would be to swap em out.

[Rocksurfer]

If you are planning on keeping 31's,what I would do for cheap would be to just find some 3rd members from a 79,I think about all came with 4:38 gears and all you would have to do would be to swap em out.

The r&p on 80's are that too, they put them on because of the 20r/4 speed tranny combo, I switched to the 22r/5 speed and it does make a difference

[kyle_22r]

the main reason for that was the crummy 1st gear of the L43.  3.67:1 instead of 3.93:1 in later years.  20R doesn't really have any less power than the 22R, if you compared a new 20R to a new 22R.

[n.c.84 [OP]]

i think sometime down the road i will go with 33s on this truck. it is my daily driver and i live in the mountains of western n.c. so if i understand correctly, a 79 or 80 will have a third member that will bolt right in with the 4:38? no mods? and what about the third members from newer toys. i just got this truck 2 weeks ago so i dont have alot of knowledge yet about thses things. thanks guys.

[lowgeared]

I run factory 4.37s with 35s.  Works fine around town, just takes a bit to get up to speed on the hiway.

[BUBBA]

i think sometime down the road i will go with 33s on this truck. it is my daily driver and i live in the mountains of western n.c. so if i understand correctly, a 79 or 80 will have a third member that will bolt right in with the 4:38? no mods? and what about the third members from newer toys. i just got this truck 2 weeks ago so i dont have alot of knowledge yet about thses things. thanks guys.

Yes the third will bolt right in,I used my 79 for a d/d for about 2yrs,I ran 33's and 35's with a 20r and the 4:38's.Steep hills slowed me down a bit but nothing major and I also live in the mountains of wnc.
From 79 to 94 all the thirds are interchangable exept for the front of ifs rigs.But the rears are the same.

[n.c.84 [OP]]

I will be loooking for 4:56s then. One day i will want a little bigger tire. anyone know what years to look for?

[lowgeared]

Good luck.  I have never actually seen factory 4.56s although everyone talks about them.

[not right]

The r&p on 80's are that too, they put them on because of the 20r/4 speed tranny combo, I switched to the 22r/5 speed and it does make a difference

thats good to know. I just got an '80 20R, both complete axles, tranny, and t-case for 100 bucks. I just wanted the spare inners, and the 'whole lot' was as cheap as a couple inners/birfs. I run 4.10 diffs in my buggy, but might toss in those '80 3rds just to go a bit lower..(even though I have duals, 4.7s,etc...) I was going to use them as spare 3rds, but I guess thats a BAD idea.    Hell, I would not have even checked the ratio...wonder if I would have even NOTICED the different gearing if I had 410s in 1 axle and 4.37s in the other?! My junk has soooo many 'quirks' ( ) Id probably NEVER figure it out!! Not that I see myself breaking many R/P gears....

Thanks for the heads up.

[BUBBA]

wonder if I would have even NOTICED the different gearing if I had 410s in 1 axle and 4.37s in the other?! My junk has soooo many 'quirks' ( ) Id probably NEVER figure it out!! Not that I see myself breaking many R/P gears....

Thanks for the heads up.

yes you would have noticed it,I broke a rear pinion gear and had to run around with a 4:10 in the back for awhile I you could defiently tell the difference.