4.56 Gear Ratio + 33" Tires + AOD + 302 w/ mild Cam

[AustenKendall]

Just completed a restoration and concerned about my selection in Gearing.

Currently overseas and won't be home to enjoy my ride until March.

Should I be concerned with my selection of gearing, tire size, and tranny selection?

I'd like to be able to utilize the OD option.

Do ya'll foresee an problems????

If so, what do you recommend?

This is a weekend cruiser and no offroading will take place.

Thanks in advance

 

[Gerbow]

I dont know about that combo setup but thats a aweet lookin rig!
I'd go 35's on it.....my .02 ;D

 

[needabronco]

I have 315/75/16"s(34" measured) on my rig with a mild 302, AOD, and 4.88's, it does fine but does go in and out of OD at around 70 on rolling hills or if there's a head wind. My 302 likes 2500 RPM's, and at 70 I run closer to 2200, if I speed up to 75 everythings fine. It doesnt' seem to like 50 MPH either.

With 4.56's and 33"s your probably going to be close to my gearing. I honestly wouldn't worry about it, especially if the gears are already installed, drive it for awhile and see how you like it. You can upgrade your torque converter to have an electronic OD solonoid installed, this will allow you to lock out OD. I'm considering this for my AOD, but it's not on the top of my 'to do' list. Look up Silverfox Transmission's, he builds custom AOD valve bodies.

 

[Greg_B]

Great looking Bronco...


G

 

[Broncobowsher]

Sounds like you are in the planning stage right now. Any fixed points we can't change? Looks like you already have the 33" tires from the photo, so I will keep that part alone.

I would consider a few things. Go with a 4R70W instead of the AOD. Wider ratio gear set, overdrive slightly less (.70 instead of .667), but you get a true lock up convertor instead of the split shaft multi input shaft AOD contraption. Gives you the option to unlock the convertor for a little more power without actually dropping down a gear. It is the modern replacment for the AOD and is still in use in current production to this day.

Second is gears. I ran 33's with a little more then mild, but built for low end torque 351 and the 4R70W for years. I considered the 4.88 gears slightly overgeared, BUT remeber I had a lot more torque. I always said that it would have been better with 35s, 4.56s OR a 302. You already have the 302, so the 4.88s would be a good match for the 33s. 4.56 would work, but I think 4.88 would be a better match given the 302 engine. I made a few road trips from Phoenix to Vegas with that combonation and it is strange to say that 4.88s are good highway gears, but they are (with an overdrive and tall tires).

 

[AustenKendall]

Thanks for the compliments!

Broncobowsher:

My Frame-off resto is 100% complete and well past the planning stages

I've been reading quite a few posts here, and now I'm second guessing if I made the right choices.

I had my AOD built with with all Lentech parts equivalent to those of the 4R70W.

Overall, I'm thrilled with my build. I'll be taking a little trip with it when I get home and see how it performs on the highway.

 

[Kyle.malone]

Love the color and it looks good. I would change my tire size to 35's before I went and switched gearing.

 

[xcntrk]

You can use a gear calculator to plot your ratio. It appears your combo is a little long legged:

33" tires, 4.56 R&P, AOD transmission, Dana-20

Cruising on the highway at 65mph would require only 2,022 engine rpm (good for fuel economy but likely weak on torque - avg should be 2,500@65mph)

In 4-low and crawling in first gear (1k rpm) gives you a crawl ratio of 21.89 to 1 at 4.5mph. That's not terribly good crawl ratio. Granted would do just fine for low impact wheeling but definitely not doing any rock crawling with that ratio.

http://www.4lo.com/calc/gearratio.php

 

[chuck489]

Sweet looking rig. Let us know how it does for you. Whenever I can afford it, I am stepping up to 33's with 3.50 gears/302/C4. I will most likely change the gearing later on and have been keeping track of people's comments so I will know which to use when I do.
What size lift do you have?

 

[chuck489]

And what color is it? It looks very similar to mine, but a shade or two more Orange.

 

[mp]

I too would upgrade to 35 inch tires to help fill the wheel well from your extreme flare cuts. Should push you into the sweet spot for gearing too.

Let me know when you get back. Looks good!

 

[AustenKendall]

Chuck,

3.5" Suspension and 2" BL.

Its a Chrysler Color. Tangerine Peal

 

[AustenKendall]

MP,

I'll be back mid-March. I'll hit you up when I'm in town and let you inspect it

Yep, it looks like i'll be upgrading to 35's.

Anyone need a new set of 33" Nitto Terra Grapplers????

 

[blubuckaroo]

The AOD has a pretty high overdrive ratio. Your 4.56 & 33" tires should work great for the road work you described. The stance looks a bit tall. I'd replace the 2" body lift with a 1". The higher the lift & tires, the worse it's going to handle in the road especially with the long radius arms. Have fun with your new toy!

 

[AustenKendall]

I had to go with the 2" BL since I went EFI. When I test drove it several months ago, it drove straight as an arrow, and the EFI took a sh*t on me the same day. Just recently got the bugs worked out on it, and its purring like a kitten.

 

[AustenKendall]

.....................

 

[KyleQ]

I have a 95 F150.
302/4R70W with 4.56 gears and 32" BFG's. I love it, lots of low end and it hauls ass - 55mph is at 1700rpm.

 

[Broncos n' VWs]

I run 4.56 gears, an EFI'd 302 and the 4R70W all on 35 inch BFG all-terrains. I'm super happy with the combo, but i don't know anything else other than that. I think the 33s will be just fine in that combo. I agree with Bowsher, go straight with the 4R70W and forget about the AOD.