A little help w/ gearing question

[BroncoBrad]

I am in the process of a build and need advise on gearing.
I plan on running 33" tires, 3 1/2 in suspension lift, C4 tranny, Dana 20 t-case, and a re-built .302

I won't be wheeling in it much so I want the best gearing setup for on road drivability.

 

[Godwick]

4.56 is my vote. Wouldn't go too low.

 

[okie4570]

I'd go 4.11 if you're on the high way much at all.

 

[bronconut73]

I'd go 4.11 if you're on the high way much at all.

This/\/\/\

That's what I'm running.
Much better low end grunt. Torque is tasty.
I can still do 70 mph easily out on the highway.

 

[Eyedoc]

This is a good calculator that helped me. http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

 

[Prizefighter]

33" Tires Rule of Thumb
Mostly offroad - 4:56
Mostly street - 4:11

BTW this can be a hotly contested decision. Several factors come into play on how your Bronco will be used.

 

[rwill]

Run the same setup as you with 4:11's.would not want any lower.

 

[dave67fd]

My build's running the same setup with 4:11's

 

[Broncobowsher]

4.11

For decades it has been proven to be a great gear for the street and trail when running 33s without an overdrive transmission. Stock 3-speed, C4, NP435. Gear works for them all.

Any lower and you will never see a highway ever again, unless it is sitting on a trailer or you put an overdrive in it.

 

[EB70]

Agreed. 4.56 are too low IMHO.

4.11's are what I would run.

 

[Glass Pony]

I'm running the 33's, C-4, 4.11 combo also. I agree the 4.56 would be too low of gear for the highway.

 

[wildbill]

I say 4:11 will work very well. I have been running this set up about 40 years and its good, Good luck with your choice.%);D Bill

 

[BroncoBrad]

Thanks for the input, sounds like a consensus.

 

[blubuckaroo]

4.11s would be my choice between those two as well. Depending on your driving, you may find the 4.11s a little low too. I went the same route and couldn't imagine taking it on a long trip on a freeway.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Freeway isn't a problem. I made the trip from Phoenix to Flagstaff (all I-17) a few times and the 4.11s worked great with the 33s.

 

[muskrat]

I never hear many people mention 3.73's. Seems like that would be a good inbetween gear to consider?

 

[okie4570]

^^^^^^ 3.70, 3.75, 3.82, 3.89.......... pretty much all unheard of in EB world it seems.

 

[blubuckaroo]

^^^^^^ 3.70, 3.75, 3.82, 3.89.......... pretty much all unheard of in EB world it seems.

I've wondered about that too. I made that same jump from 3.50 to 4.11. It had both good and bad results, depending on the vehicle use. There were times I wish I had split the difference with an intermediate gear ratio.
Fact is, with three speed C4 and manual trannies, it's going to be hard to get acceptable low gear and high gear performance too with the same set of gears. The first gear ratios are all just too high. Trying to correct it by going to lower rear gears is a good idea, but I found the 4.11s were a bit too low for my ears.
Your best bet is to go in a couple of ride-alongs and make your own selection.