What do I need to change, if anything now that I got 33s on my 2.5L 5speed regular cab? I'm getting a body lift soon and am going to crank my tbars for now so that they don't rub my drivers side brake line. I don't know the gear ratio I have now..

33s no lift.

 

4.88:1 for that little 110hp engine.


How do you have tbars? You've got a non-trailhead '00 2wd.....aka coilsprings.

 

OOOk then, nevermind haha! i just assumed i had them. In the future, i dream of doing a 4.0 swap. So do I just get the 4.88 gears and thats all?

 

BUMP

 

look under axle on your door jam and post up the code and one of us can tell u what u have for gears

 

Axel code is 86.

 

3.73 Open Diff. You got what I had.

Put this in your favorites.
Ford Ranger Axles - The Ranger Station

 

you dont just get the 4.88s... you gota install them or have them installed... which is super pricey! how the heck did you fit those 33s?!!! haha

 

I was wondering the same thing myself.

 

My friends dad knows how to do that, i just haven't asked him to help yet. I can find 4:88's at a junkyard, right? What vehicle would most likely have them?

 

Yes thats where you are going to find them. You can pretty much only get them off other Rangers. Your going to swap out your current rear axles with the new 8.8" 4:88 one. If you are planning on doing any wheeling or if snow is something you have to deal with try and get a 8.8" 4:88 with l/s (limited slip). If you cant find l/s and can only find open you can always install a locker in the future.

Another option that I believe is there (correct me if im wrong) is going with an Explorer rear end. This will require welding to make it work .

So pretty much what you need to look for at junk yards is a 8.8" 4:88 rear end with l/s or open. Which ever you prefer.

You can use this site to help find an axle: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market

 

I dont know what came stock with 4.88? I thought about the lowest you can go that came stock was 4.56?

 

You're probably going to have to get new 4.88's. I dont know of any vehicle that comes with them.

 

I hear of people getting "yukon 8.8" gears from junkyards. Do they mean a GMC Yukon? or what.

 

No, Yukon's are a brand of gears. They might have them, it just depends if they will fit your truck.

Whats nice about your ride is that you only need one for the rear. Us 4x4 guys have to pay for two.

 

Oh, thanks, i feel a little more educated now.
I one day plan to SAS it. I want to keep it forever and in good condition, and make it a real trail rig. I want to make it the best around.

 

How long can I drive my truck with 3.73 open diff. with 33's before it starts to hurt my drivetrain??

 

I think you will be fine for a while. If you buy gears, did you plan on installing them in your current rear end?

 

If that's possible, then yes.

 

your gonna need more that a 3 inch body lift. or you'll beat your fenders off when your playin off road. i would get coil spring spacers too. and if 4.88 is what you want (which i believe is a bit much) your gonna have to buy the gear. i would also get a 8.8 rear end since if your gonna do it you need to do it right the 1st time.

i pretty much have the same truck as you, just w/ the 4.0

 

I personally would not waste the money on putting 4.88 gears in the 7.5 axle that you have. I would upgrade to the 8.8 axle to put the gears in. But hey, thats just me.

 

For now just concentrate on finding either an Explorer 8.8 w/ limited slip and 4.10's.. or an FX4 w/ limited slip and 4.10's, will save you a bunch of money and it will be light years different then the current ratio you have now - poor little 2.5L will suffer on the mileage a bit in city driving methinks

 

I know your getting bad mileage right now with that 3.73. I know I was with just my 31's. I think you would be ok with 4.10s. Depends upon how much you want to off-road.

 

completeoffroad.com for the cheapest quality gears, Yukons. Go 4.88 for that low output motor and those tires.



You're getting bad mileage because your effective ratio was hugely reduced.....from going from 27" to 33", you've changed your ratio greatly....you are putting strain on your engine and drivetrain components(transmission, clutch). Making it work harder to get moving(city), and barely making enough power to keep the truck moving at speed(hwy). I was 4.10 and 35s with my 4.0....was 'okay' but you can definately feel the 35's and noticed in town and on highway, that the truck was struggeling a little bit...ESPICIALLY on the highway. I could barely keep it moving in 5th at 65-70...lots of downshifting. Was getting an average mixed mpg of about 13.5-14. Now after the install of the 4.88 gears, the truck is VERY friendly on the streets and VERY good on gas as well as overall drivability. I now have a mixed average of about 16.5....at 60mph, i'm pullin 20-21mpg.

Bottom line.....more torqey engines can overcome larger tires without a gear change....you see diesel trucks with 3.73's and 40's....the smaller/less powerful the engine, the deeper the gear(lower gearing). Swap that SHIZ! The truck will be WAY WAYY better in the overall.



Yeah..you could go find a junkyard 4.10 axle.....but you'll see be a dog in the power and mileage department... 4.10 is good for 31's and the 2.5, but definately not the 33's. IMO.

 

Alright,thanks. I'm ordering the body lift in the next few days and will have to check some junkyards. So I can just get 4.88 gears and use them on my axle?

Actually, could someone walk me through, or another thread (with pictures) what exactly I have to look for. 4.88, 8.8... I want to know about my truck instead of always having it worked on. I'm new to this. Help me out!!!! Shane???(Yeah I know your name).