Yep.. better than the oil filter debate that leads to virtual fistfights and deeply rooted arguments..
I had an 8.8, 3.08 stock with NO limited slip in my 93' manual trans 4.0L. Couple years back I picked up a complete matching dana35 front end and matching rear axle in typical 3.73 fashion with a Limited Slip from a 94' Ranger 4x4 donor along with the entire I/P wiring.
Recently have picked up a Std cab 94' Ranger 4x4 as a donor parts truck for the 4x4 frame and body swap. Again I have a whole other prewired dash which will need reworking to my cab. I have the entire interior with exceptions to a few things still yet to be done before completing even the interior swapping itself which I have other questions about but that's for another thread..
As I am preparing this frame for my needs and wants, boxing in the frame, among other things necessary structurally I will be forced into simultaneously at points working in the suspension and hanging axles attributes. There will be measures taken to strengthen the few weak spots in the Dana35 setup and adding the rear 8.8 truss work. While I am updating and going through them I may as well work at the gearing and ARB Air lockers front and back which leads me into a buying question based upon gearing.
4.56 or 4.88
Now before the arguments are strewn around I understand and know that on paper tire sizes arent what they say. According to nearly every calculators math i've played with so far.., 3.73 gets me some MPG back but on the 34"-35" range 4.56 will put me in basically OEM specs with the Manual trans and 4.88 would put me more into a power band of things so it seems relevant that for the 130-200 RPM's more I'll be turning. Logically if I stay 35's which for what I do, I think 37's are just really uncalled for; and I'll likely stay 35's for more than several reasons. I'm leaning towards 4.88 gears. I could at this point not care too much about doing 100mph, I'm that ******* who does 65 MPH anyway and there is an engine swap in the future.
My intentions are more a gear ratio that does a bit better in pulling without having to drop down a gear or two for that matter.
So whose swapped to 4.56 or 4.88 on here. What & Why did you pick the gearing you did, how long have you ran that setup and after said time, regrets? Do it again? Add your comments below.
Below is some compiling of my research based upon the current tire specs, but people will get the point.
At 65MPH RPM would be 2574 +/- (4.88) a whopping 200 RPMS less @ (4.56) should be closer to 2405 - 180 or so RPM's less.. minuscule really but the shift points, and that little bit on both ends will help between low crawl-ability and some power delivery I think. Like I said, I'm not worried about top end - wrong vehicle.