I have a 1996 ford ranger 4.0 5 speed 4x4 that is my daily driver its on 31s right now with 18 inch wheels and does real good, could pull better off takeoff but does great even on the highway will do 65 in 4th no problem but if I went to 33 12.5 what would be the best gear for an everyday driver to still get my mpgs and do good in town and the highway

 

4.56 is what you want. 4.10 would be okay if you had the SOHC 4.0, but I think you have the OHV one so. 4.56 is what id suggest

 

You dont think thatd be too much on the highway?

 

And where'd be the best place to get them

 

You're putting a 33x12.5x18 on your truck. If you want fuel economy, buy a JDM. A 4.56 will give you the best mix of take off power and economy at highway speeds. A lot of guys have 4.10s on their 4.0 SOHC and think its awful slow. I personally suggest either Ford Racing or Yukon for gears. Keep in mind you might want to add a L/S if you don't already have one when the new gears go in. Dont forget you're also looking for 2X the prices since you're 4x4

 

Popular gearing for Ranger 4.0l 4x4 was 3.73 and I believe they came with 27" tires

When you switched to 31" tires your gearing changed to 3.37, so more top end speed(lower RPMs at 65mph)and less low end getup and go.

33" tires would put gearing at 3.16, so even lower RPMs at 65mph, better MPG(on flat commute) and even less get up and go in 1st

4.10 with 33" would be the same "feel" as you have now with 31", no real change in low end power or top end MPG

4.56 would have the same "feel" that you did with 27" tires, more low end power but reduction in MPG, not much since you are basically back to stock gearing.

MPG issues are the weight and friction of the larger and wider than stock tires and height of vehicle and wind resistance


Good read here on your Ford 8.8 inch axle setup: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...8_8-axle.shtml
You should have Limited slip on the rear since it is a 4x4, but open on the front.

You can buy the ring and pinion sets new, $250-$350.........or you can check the wrecking yards, but the 4.56 was an option, not "stock", they were only "made to order" so won't be common, 4.10 are more common and were stock since they are included in "trailer packages" for better pulling.

 

This, 100%.

Good source for all your gearing needs:
RANDYS Worldwide Automotive

 

Not to get off topic, but just out of curiosity what years did ford offer 4.56 as an option? Was it only with the OHV? You're always teaching me something new.

Like everyone else said go with the 4.56, especially with the OHV. Listen to Ron for the technical reasons, but if you search through threads you will find LOTS of guys who changed gears and give their opinion. The general consensus on here is 32s and below 4.10s will get you by, but anything bigger your should go to 4.56 (or 4.30 if you have a 2wd).

 

Ok thanks guys for the help. I may be trying out the 4.56 gears and see how I like it

 

Maybe "option" would be the wrong word, "buyers requested change" might be better.
Ford 8.8" axles were used in many Ford vehicles since 1983
These came in gearing ratios from 3.08 to 6.14, yes 6.14, top speed about 20MPH, lol
So the factory had them to to install at "buyers request"

This is a used parts website: Used RANGER Rear Axle - Buy used RANGER Rear End
The oldest Ranger axle with 4.56 gears available is from a 1999 Ranger, but I am pretty sure the "buyers request" was available earlier than that, it is most likely that the used 4.56 Ranger axles have just been bought up over the earlier years, like manual transfer cases, lol.

Also Google: Ford axle tags S302G S302L V302B

 

I've been looking on Yukon for the 4.56 gearing but, probably a dumb question, what section lol I can't find it

 

Go to randy's ring and pinion. Then use the part number and search the internet for it. I got mine from AutoZone online for 20% off

 

IIRC, the axle code for 8.8 with 4.56s is R8.

 

Every one is right. I was in the same boat as you every one(non ranger owners) said 4.10 are it and every one here said 4.56 is it, and that what I did went with 4.56. I just put them in and running them for about 3 months (1000 miles) and there perfect. I run 33 also I still do 75-80 no problem. And Yukon website sucks for listing them. I went threw Randy's and got the right stuff. Check out my thread I started a few months ago. There's a lot on this topic there too. I'd post a link but I'm on my phone

 

Ok thanks for the info

 

So a 1996 ford ranger 4.0 4x4 would have an 8.8 in the rear and the d35 in the front? Or the 28??

 

You have a d35 in the front. The only rangers in your year that had the d28 still were 4 cyl. It's a little confusing because even the d28s were still in a d35 housing from 1993-1997

 

Thank you

 

I just went though going to 33" tires and installing 4.56 gears. I still run 31" tires on the road and wanted a gear that would be a good compromise for both 31 and 33". I found the 4.30 gear was the best choice but also found nobody makes 4.30 gears for the front. So, I had no choice but to go to the 4.56 gears because the 4.10 gears were not good with the 33" tires. I could get by on the road but off-road would have sucked big time. I barley got by with 4.10 gears and 32" tires.

The 4.56 gears are a little lower (higher rpm at a specific speed) with 33" tires compared to 4.10 gear with 31" tires but still work well with the 33" tires. In my opinion the 4.56 gear do not work well with 31" tires. I usually drive between 75 and 80 mph and that has the rpm up higher than I like but can live with. What I really don't like is the transmission and driveshaft are spinning like they are going 90 mph. This sets up a I kind of resonance that results in a little high frequency vibration. It is not that bad but I know even a small vibration tends to wear out things quicker and I don't like replacing parts needlessly.

Once I wear out the 31" tires, I will replace them with 32 or 33" tires and my truck and I will be much happier.

 

What year is your ranger and what kind of lift did you use

 

Any thoughts on the 4" suspension lift with 33's or do I need more? What's the best lift for that? I've seen the superlift 5.5" lift but I don't know what all I'd have to change driveshaft or anything

 

id stay away from anything above 4 inches because you have to start worring about drive shaft angles and stuff. i have a 09 and run 3 inch supreme suspensions front and rear. DO NOT BUY FROM THEM. i bought my tires before i lifted my truck. and i went with a ebay special just to put the tires on and im running into so may problems with them. they sent me a bunch of wrong stuff and its just horrible. i will be changing it out soon to a better lift. i wouldnt go more than 4 unless ur ready to do al lot of work