351 zf 5 speed gear ratio help

[Bickster]

My experience is warmed up 351/zf/34.5" tires. 3:50's were miserable. 4:11 is ok. I'm thinking 4:30 is ideal and 4:56's give more trail friendly gears. If your running 33's for certain then I'd roll 4:30's.

 

[Slednut10]

When you use those gear calculators remember that a 33" tire isn't 33 inches . You should use the actual height of the tire to be more accurate.
I don't remember ; what is the gear ratio of 2nd gear( the one you'll be starting off in most of the time) in the ZF?
I always find these " what gears " discusions interesting . I try not to interject my opinion but there are certainly a lot of guys who like to or have to cruise down the highway at higher rpms than i do.

2.94 is the second gear ratio, roughly the same as 1st gear on the three speeds.
That to me would be enough reason to lean towards the numerically higher gears when running the zf trans.

 

[sykanr0ng]

My experience is warmed up 351/zf/34.5" tires. 3:50's were miserable. 4:11 is ok. I'm thinking 4:30 is ideal and 4:56's give more trail friendly gears. If your running 33's for certain then I'd roll 4:30's.

That is with a 351, a 302 needs more RPM's.

 

[AZ69EB]

Try to find a someone who has a zf or nv4500 and drive it. Then you will understand.

 

[Casey4wd]

i updated the calcs based on the true size of my "33" tires" which is really 32". At 70 mph:
4.11 - 2,290
4.56 - 2,547

It is looking like 4.56 gears for me once I get to it.

 

[AZ69EB]

Don't skimp out on lockers.

 

[naneumranch]

I'm running a 302 with ZF5 on 35s with 4:88 and wouldn't change a thing great low end with that granny 1st and perfect freeway cruising in 5th.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk