Gear size poll: Daily Driver, 35s - 302 & C4

Heus33 · Oct 19, 2010

Looking for opinions on the most appropriate gear ratio for a Bronco with the following setup:

302, C4, 35" tires

Driving would be 50/50 street and highway, used daily.

Whats the best "overall" setup for daily drivability keeping in mind fuel economy being slightly more important than "off the line" performance.

Link to Gear Ratio chart

fungus · Oct 19, 2010

Since you're 50/50 I'd go with 4.56. Kindof a "jack of all trades" ratio especially w/ 35s. I'm getting ready to swap my stock 3.50s out for 4.11s in anticipation of upgrading to 35s w/ my next tire purchase but I'm running a 435 w/ 6.69:1 granny low for offroading when I need it. C-4 I'd go w/ the 4.56 gearing.

cro_bronco · Oct 19, 2010

Where's the 3.73:1 option? I picked 3.50:1 but would actually go with 3.73:1. I run 4.11:1 with 35s and at highway speed(65-70) the RPMs are around 2800.

cali_zuk · Oct 19, 2010

I have the same setup with 4.56's at 65 mph im a around 3200 rpms.

tasker · Oct 19, 2010

4:10, 4:56 I think will make you happy....

broncnaz · Oct 19, 2010

While wanting fuel economy is good its a bronco not going to squeek all that much(if any) out of it with 35's. To shoot for the higher ratios ie 3.50 ,3.73 ect puts more strain on the tranny. so it wont last quite as long especailly in the offroad arena. I'd go with at least 4.11's but 4.30's would be my chocie and then get a camshaft that makes its torque in your RPM range at hiway speed.

Since it sounds like your going to be swapping gears you may just want to consider going with even lower gear 4.56 or 4.88's then if you decide to go with a OD tranny you'd be ready.

NYLES · Oct 19, 2010

I know that mine with 4.27 and 33's has too much gear for runnin over 60 mph...but they were installed with 35-36's in the future. I think theyll be perfect for 35-37's.

Myllo73 · Oct 19, 2010

I went from 4.56 to 4.11's with the 302, c4, and 35's. It was nice when just driving around town, speed limit 45 at the most. But when it was time to do 65 it wasn't enjoyable. I like how the 4.11's are for the daily driving.

burntfish · Oct 19, 2010

Where is the option for 5.38's like I run. 6cyl 3 speed 35 krawlers.

fungus · Oct 20, 2010

I change my vote after re reading your orig post. When I saw 50/50 I took that to mean on/ off road but looks like you're all street or hiway. In that case I agree w/ the 4.27/ 4.30 crowd. We just put 35s on my buddy's 68 w/ 351, C4, & 4.11s. It does ok but he's also got a 351 pushing him. 4.27 should give you a good split between in town traffic & highway economy & help the 302 & tranny out. 4.56 would be better offroad but doesn't look like that's in your equation.

jpopsbronco · Oct 20, 2010

I would go with 4.11s
I'm running 4.56 with 351w and c4 spinning about 2700rpm at 65
If I drove more on the street I would definitely switch to 4.11s. Around town the 4.56 are fine nice amount of torque and all but I would say my cruising speed is 50ish. I don't really like winding my motor up over 3k on the freeway so if I were you I would pick 4.11s or 4.27
expect to spin about 3k at 65 with 4.56
sidenote-- I got 14 mpg last trip I took on the freeway :0

Heus33 · Oct 20, 2010

Interesting results so far - most are saying 4.11s or 4.56s but not many votes for 4.27s - wouldn't that be a good compromise?

My driving would be 99% street driving - 20 miles to work each way - a lot of crusing at 45-60mph.

Keep the comments coming - I've got a few more days before I need to make a decision.

dbevans2249 · Oct 20, 2010

IMO 4.11 for to answer the question you are asking. JMO buy a whooptie to drive on the salt. You can suspend all but fire and theft insurance on the Bronco when not driving it to save a little money. Your Bronco is just to nice to get ruined.

jmhend · Oct 20, 2010

I voted for the 4.11's. I personally will be using 33's with the 3.50, because I would like to drive it to work (60 miles) on the interstate and here in NJ / PA people tend to lean more to the 70 MPH speed on the highway...

bmc69 · Oct 20, 2010

I've been using the 4.11 and 35" combo in daily driver(s) (EBs and FSBs) for almost 20 years. Interstate, 'round town, and trails (NP-435 to make up for lack of gearing helps..).

Smokeater11 · Oct 20, 2010

I voted for the 4:11s because with a 35'' tire it's gonna put you in the 2500 rpm range running 65mph but yet it'll still have enough gear to get up and go when needed. I have 4:11s with my 33s and it runs around 2800 rpms at 65. Not too high for the 302 but it would be happier in the 2500 range and so would I. My next set of shoes will be 35s so I'm just dealing with it for now. But I don't think you would see much difference with the 4:27s if you went that route.

Heus33 · Oct 20, 2010

Smokeater11 said:
I voted for the 4:11s because with a 35'' tire it's gonna put you in the 2500 rpm range running 65mph but yet it'll still have enough gear to get up and go when needed. I have 4:11s with my 33s and it runs around 2800 rpms at 65. Not too high for the 302 but it would be happier in the 2500 range and so would I. My next set of shoes will be 35s so I'm just dealing with it for now. But I don't think you would see much difference with the 4:27s if you went that route.

Thanks - my previous bronco had 3.50s but with a 351W and 33s. It was geared just right. I think 4.11s are the ticket for me too.

NY-Bronco · Oct 20, 2010

I curently have 3.50 on my rig with a 302 and a c4. I wish I had more get up and go but as soon as I am on the highway Im a happy camper.

Honestly I dont think you will find a happy medium. I would not go higher than 4.11 because then your fuel economy will take a hit.

That being said, get a 4r70w with 4.88 gearing. I think you will be very happy with that even though you will never recoup the cost from fuel savings ;D

garberz · Oct 20, 2010

If you are 99% street, why don't you just keep it as is? I still have stock gearing with 35's and a C4. Works great on the Fwy. A little bit of a dog around town. I'm looking to re gear as well, but that's only for all the trail use that I do. If I did less club events and runs, I would keep the 3.50's, especially with a C4.

Heus33 · Oct 20, 2010

garberz said:
If you are 99% street, why don't you just keep it as is? I still have stock gearing with 35's and a C4. Works great on the Fwy. A little bit of a dog around town. I'm looking to re gear as well, but that's only for all the trail use that I do. If I did less club events and runs, I would keep the 3.50's, especially with a C4.

My previous bronco had the 3.50s with a 351W. My new one has 5.89s with a 302.

Gear size poll: Daily Driver, 35s - 302 & C4

Which gears for 302 with C4 and 35" Tires

3.50

4.11

4.27

4.56

4.88

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Full Member

Jr. Member

all knowing of nothing

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Full Member

Sr. Member

Bronco Guru

Full Member

Bronco Guru

Sr. Member

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Bronco Guru

Resident Dipstick

Bronco Influencer

Bronco Guru

Similar threads