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4.11 or 4.30

Viperwolf1

Contributor
electron whisperer
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
24,316
Ok, it's time for me to re-gear. I have 3.50 gears and 33's, 5.0 EFI and a C4 (both fresh and strong). I'll probably keep my current tire size for years. I take long trips and do some towing (1,000-2,500 lbs) during hunting season. Most of my towing will be up in the mountains. I know 4.11 gears work well with 33's but considering the mountains I drive as well as the towing would 4.30 gears be a better choice for me? Are there any good reasons not to go to 4.30's?
 

needabronco

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 2, 2004
Messages
6,411
Loc.
Prescott/Farmington
I think 4.11s would always work well as would the 4.30's. The 4.30's would be my choice for a little more power and better crawl ratio unless you drive much over 60-65MPH, definitely no if you drive 70+, but I don't really like to rev my mill very high.

There are those that are very happy with there 4.30's and it would be a better ratio if you ever went to a bigger size tire. BUT there are lots of rigs running around with 4.10's and 35's.
 

70_Steve

Old Guy
Joined
Dec 13, 2002
Messages
8,317
Checked a couple gear calculators, and it looks like you'll be turning around 26-2700 rpm at 65 with 4.11 gears. Personally, like needabronco, I don't like to cruise at that high an rpm, but to each his own. For the hill climbs towing a load, I would think a tranny fluid cooler is a must.
 

JWMcCrary

Contributor
Bronco Guru
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Oct 14, 2004
Messages
5,001
I went with 4.30's running a 395 stroker, C4, D20, & 33 inch tires. I wasn't happy with the Hwy RPM's and upped my tire size to 35's and it now feels like the perfect Hwy/offroad combo for me. If you think you will ever go up a size in tires I would do the 4.30's
 

malcolmzilla

Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 18, 2003
Messages
1,522
Loc.
Calgary, AB, Canada
4:11's if you do want to do more than 55mph, 4:30's if you don't mind 55. Towing 1500 to 2000lbs I can't see gears effecting it much.

I have 4.56's and 35's, C4, and 55 mph is 2600 rpm, I often find myself cruising at 50. Will go to 36/37's next year.
 
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Viperwolf1

Viperwolf1

Contributor
electron whisperer
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Aug 23, 2007
Messages
24,316
I have the tranny cooler issue covered. My current gears give me 2600 rpm at 65. 4.11's would be at 2985 rpm, 4.30's @ 3083. I don't have a problem cruising above 3,000 rpm. My 5.0 has the HO cam, AFR heads and some other goodies to help it live at speed. I guess I'm just wondering why I don't see many others with 4.30 gears.
 

broncnaz

Bronco Guru
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
24,341
Most people going with 4.30's run 35 in tires also. Its really not a big jump in RPM's so I'd really consider the 4.30s a little deeper gear is always nice to have. But on the other hand 3.90's might be a good choice and let you keep the R's down a little. One reason 4.11's are so popular is that many broncos/trucks came with them so they are easliy swapped in.
 

Mark

Contributor
Bronco Klutz
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
5,414
Loc.
NW Indiana
Would there be a fuel consumption difference between the two?
Engine efficiency, I guess.
 
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Viperwolf1

Viperwolf1

Contributor
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Aug 23, 2007
Messages
24,316
Would there be a fuel consumption difference between the two?
Engine efficiency, I guess.

I don't see that there would be much difference. At 70 mph there would be a 105 rpm difference. In town the rpm difference would be very small.
 

ken75ranger

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
5,069
Loc.
Troy, NY
I'd stick with 4.11's with the C4. It works fine for me. I'm right at 3000rpms at 65 mph. Plenty of power off the line from the c4.
I'd take a closer look at the 4.30's with a stock 3 speed but with an auto tranny it's really not necessary.
 

misterkeebler

Jr. Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2007
Messages
96
ive got 4.30s and 35s, its a perfect combination if you dont mind doing flat 60. in your case i would run 4.11s. at that point especially with your motor making enough power your mileage increase will come from lowering the rpms. power wise i think you will be happy with 4.11s. just my $.02
 
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Viperwolf1

Viperwolf1

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Aug 23, 2007
Messages
24,316
OK, sounds like 4.11's have worked well for others. Thanks for the help guys.
 

nickeboy

Full Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2007
Messages
345
Anyone know what RPM's My Bronco would be with a built 302, 3 speed,
5:13's and 35 un tires. It's a little much, but I actually drove this bronco 100 miles to Los Angeles. It's definitely not a freeway bronco.
 

OsideDave

Sr. Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2006
Messages
878
Not sure exactly but I just drove a Willys Flatfender a few weeks ago with 5.13s and 1:1 trans ratio in 4th and 35s and it was about 3,000 rpms at 50 or so.

Anyone know what RPM's My Bronco would be with a built 302, 3 speed,
5:13's and 35 un tires. It's a little much, but I actually drove this bronco 100 miles to Los Angeles. It's definitely not a freeway bronco.
 

blubuckaroo

Grease Monkey
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
11,795
Loc.
Ridgefield WA
I just did a change from 3.50 to 4.10 with 265-75-16 tires. That's pretty close to 32". Wow! What a difference. Whichever you choose, you're in for a pleasent surprise. This is the best mod I've done. This thing will pull the trailer a lot better now. I was trying to get the same effective ratio as when it had the factory G78-15 tires. I had to recalibrate my speedo so I know that it is a little lower than original. It's more fun to drive now and I have to remind myself to watch the tach now because I'll end up at 75 or 80 and 4000 RPM.
 
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