i have a 1990 ranger 4x4 2.9 v6 with stock gearing. its lifted and has 31's which im probably about to switch to 32'S or 33's and i just want to be able to actually get overdrive back and be able to go up a hill with out losing 20 mph. so should i go with 4.56 or 4.88 gears??

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90 2.9 v6 ranger with a 3" lift sittin on 31's

4.10 imo

4.10 will be enough..its only a 2.9 dont make it try to turn those big gears and tires too much and with 4.10s you might see decent gas mileage compared to higher gears. just my $0.02 worth.

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oops! 2000 4x4 4.0 8.8 3.73 gears 7 inches of lift 4 suspension and 3 body. 33x12.50.15 bfg all terrains. CB MORE TO COME. IMO im always right.

with a 2.9 you WILL want 4.56s trust me.

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1993 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab | stepside | 4x4 | 4.0L | Lifted | 35" BFG KM2s | MT Classic IIs | Dana 35/Disc 8.8 with 4.56's | Duals | Etc

RIP JASON

with the 2.9 it is not a good motor so the lower the better unless you going to put a better motor in it cause all my trucks problem is the motor the gearing is great in mine for stock

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1988 ford ranger XLT

4.56 ftw!

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This has nothing to do with what his asking.

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GOLDIE
1999 2.5L XLT
Herculiner | Kobalt tool box | K&N Filter | 6k HID's | 31's BFG | Eagle Alloy 186s | 102'' Whip | Cobra 19 DX IV | Fabtech 3.5 Spindles | Pro Comp AAL kit | 15% Tint | Mustang Dome

It has EVERYTHING to do with the OPs question. With a 2.9 (underpowered to say the least), you will need lower gearing than say with a 4.0L. 4.56 will be perfect for his 32 or 33's hes going to be putting on it.

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1993 Ford Ranger Ext. Cab | stepside | 4x4 | 4.0L | Lifted | 35" BFG KM2s | MT Classic IIs | Dana 35/Disc 8.8 with 4.56's | Duals | Etc

RIP JASON

He's asking about gearing for larger tires not for stock or what his opinion is on the 2.9

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GOLDIE
1999 2.5L XLT
Herculiner | Kobalt tool box | K&N Filter | 6k HID's | 31's BFG | Eagle Alloy 186s | 102'' Whip | Cobra 19 DX IV | Fabtech 3.5 Spindles | Pro Comp AAL kit | 15% Tint | Mustang Dome

Thanks for all the info everyone. If I web with 4.10's could I just tear an 8.8 axle from a junkyard and it be pretty much bolt in? Because wouldn't a 8.8 with a 31 spline and 4.10's work pretty good. If not then I guess I'll look more into the 4.56's. Thank you everyone

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90 2.9 v6 ranger with a 3" lift sittin on 31's

thing is, the motor does not have the torque to turn a large tire with a tall gear. I would say that with 4.10's a 32 would be max. If you want more, 4.56. Alot of guys run 4.56 with 33's WITH the 4.0!

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Ball Joints/Upper A-Arms How To
Replace Door pin/bushing
Repair broken dome light tabs
VIDEO OHC Install

I don't know what you guys are doing with these 2.9's, My first ranger was an 86' 4x4 supercab. It had the cologne 2.9, A4LD, 3.73 rear end on 30's and I would own my buddy's 89 mustang. My 2.9L had balls....


To the original post, I think the 4.10's would be fine. To regear to the same pull and RPM range algebraically, you want to take your new tire size times your existing gear ratio and divide by your old tire size. The answer is (33)(3.73)/31=3.97

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Torch Red 2004 Ranger Edge 4x4, 4.0 SOHC w/5speed manual, R7-8.8 LS 4.10 diff

Well my ranger can't beat a lawnmower going up hill, so no my ranger has a vag. Originally I wanted to 4.56's in the 7.5 but after hearing some of yalls opinions I was wondering if it would just be better to just do a whole axle swap with a ford 8.8 with stock 4.10's. Any opinions on this??

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90 2.9 v6 ranger with a 3" lift sittin on 31's