4.88 gears in a DD...

[WantedaDodge]

I currently have 4.10s in my '84 K5 w/ a fairly stock 350 with only the addition of Hooker Comp headers and 2 1/4 inch dual exhaust. I am currently running 37 inch tires on heavy steel wheels, but I am swapping to 315/75r16s on lightweight aluminum wheels soon. It is way better then 3.08s w/ 31s but it still feels geared high. I never use OD at all! I am seriously considering going down to 4.88s so I can use the OD...

I don't have a long commute, I only work 10 minutes away from my home, in town driving...

 

[toomany]

I DD (or did for a few years) with 4.88's and 36/37's. I have a 465 though...so no OD. The gas millage wasn't much worse than before I swapped gears. I regularly drove long distances and pulled a loaded 4 place snowmobile trailer at 65 down the highway. I would do it again, might consider a Ranger OD though. Having a healthy 355 that was happy above 3000rpm helps. Jeep guys regularly go this deep or deeper and still DD...but that's another story.

 

[jonathon]

I just had my 'burb regeared to 4.88's.. it sits on 315/75r16's..

Drives NICE. At 60mph it's only turning around 2200 rpm but it holds a gear really well. It gained almost 500 rpms over the stock 3.73's and 265/75r16, which was a nice surprise. It actually holds OD and TC lockup going up hills now

 

[WantedaDodge]

you just confirmed my decision! Thanks...

 

[jonathon]

I am happy with it.. it'll be spinning at 75+.. but that's a good reason not to speed Makes driving in town a lot more enjoyable.

 

[THUNDERUSONE]

Go for it. Im running 4:56's and 37's. I could easily do 4:88's. At some point I am sure that I will end up going 5:13. I roll down the interstate at 70 to 75mph in od all day long.

 

[Blue85]

I am considering 4.88s as well for my 37s. Is there a strength issue with the front 10-bolt pinion with gears this low?

 

[jonathon]

4x4High mentioned it in a thread I posted a while back... I decided based on what my mechanic thinks that it's not an issue for my use with an open front end.

My 'burb is a street queen that I plan to tow a small camper with. I use 4wd in the snow, on the beach, and occasionally on some very light trails(more like unmaintained logging roads). My concerns are more on the ball joints and u-joints with the 35's than anything else, but I've gotten pretty good at replacing those