1986 K5 Mojo Build

[Seemymojo]

3.73

This is what I have found regarding trying to keep performance close to factory "feel".

Old Gear Ratio × New Tire Size ÷ Old Tire Size = New Gear Ratio.

Plugging in the numbers you end up with:

3.73 × 37 ÷ 32 = 4.31.

You would then round up to the closest ratio, per the example a 4.56 gearing would be the recommended.

 

[campfire]

3.73

This is what I have found regarding trying to keep performance close to factory "feel".

Old Gear Ratio × New Tire Size ÷ Old Tire Size = New Gear Ratio.

Plugging in the numbers you end up with:

3.73 × 37 ÷ 32 = 4.31.

You would then round up to the closest ratio, per the example a 4.56 gearing would be the recommended.

This will give you a similar feel to what you have now. But is that what you want? GM offered many different gear & tire combinations, and they don't all have the same "feel." Some trucks are geared for towing, and some are geared for cruising. Do you find yourself wishing for more gear or better highway cruising? If you are in need/want of either one, gear choice should be adjusted accordingly. If you're happy with where you're at, 4.56 will be fine. So would 4.10. There's no rule that you have to round up every time, you should just be rounding up if you want more power available at lower speeds (recognizing that this costs you on the highway).

In your case, used OEM 4.10 gears are common & cheap, 4.56 gears are slightly harder to find (not sure if that would influence your choice, they both have plenty of aftermarket support).

So gearing choice is a holistic issue, affected by many things. And a gear swap is the time to make sure you wind up with a perfect ratio for your individual usage pattern.

 

[Seemymojo]

This will give you a similar feel to what you have now. But is that what you want? GM offered many different gear & tire combinations, and they don't all have the same "feel." Some trucks are geared for towing, and some are geared for cruising. Do you find yourself wishing for more gear or better highway cruising? If you are in need/want of either one, gear choice should be adjusted accordingly. If you're happy with where you're at, 4.56 will be fine. So would 4.10. There's no rule that you have to round up every time, you should just be rounding up if you want more power available at lower speeds (recognizing that this costs you on the highway).

In your case, used OEM 4.10 gears are common & cheap, 4.56 gears are slightly harder to find (not sure if that would influence your choice, they both have plenty of aftermarket support).

So gearing choice is a holistic issue, affected by many things. And a gear swap is the time to make sure you wind up with a perfect ratio for your individual usage pattern.

Great. I will just give it some time and see what I think about the change. My biggest concern, having no prior experience, is that I was going to create a really good looking snail. Thinking it through now, I don't really do significant highway driving, and economy is not something that I am striving for on this platform. I want it to be fun to drive! Having heard so many varying opinions I think I am starting to get that speculation can tire a mind out, it might be better to not overthink a problem, until you have one.

 

[Seemymojo]

Finished up some work.

3.5 inches gained after rearching of leaf springs. U bolts and components replaced.

Replaced original shocks.

33x12.5x15 BFG AT/TA

Kept the original rally rims.

 

[Jester1]

Looks good. May need a zero rate in the rear to adjust the bit of the squat.

How about some pics of the interior to see if it all survived. Curious to know if it is a repaint too.

 

[82355]

There is a way to post the pictures not as thumbnails.

Martin

 

[jekquistk5]

Beautiful k5. Don't hang out with eric, that k5 will be crunched in no time.

 

[4x4blaze]

Subscribed! Your blazer is literally one of the cleanest that I may have ever seen! It is also pretty cool watching your build since I have very similar plans for my own.. Keep it up, truck is looking amazing!

 

[SilverduneJimmy]

That's a really nice rig and I agree, don't change anything. But................ If you decide to remove that really clean interior, I know someone who would be willing to purchase any and all parts from you. Just sayin..... Lol!!