CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
I don't have OD, I have a th400 hence the reason why 5.38's are a stretch IMO

and I agree, the ORD K30 seems to be geared right
 
Gearing it will be more cost effective and produce better results than any motor swap out there. Engines just don't have the leverage required to get that instant seat of the pants kick swapping from 4.10 to 5.13/38 will get you and like you said, with a 4L80E swap basically the only logical next step. Perfect.
 
I say stay away from the "Might as Well" with everything in builds so much. You have a lot of time into everything else right now...I would say get the truck running...take it on some trips down the freeway and do some wheeling and see then if you want a little more gearing. Axle gears are something that can be done very easily with the truck sitting in the driveway. You may find the current setup meets your current needs...but you won't know for sure how everything works in your truck until you go drive it (everyone else's opinions come from different trucks...some have small blocks, some have BB's, some have overdrive, some have doublers, and some have single cases, some are crew cabs, some are shortbeds, etc., etc., etc.). I thought for sure doing the rpm and gear ratio calc's that when I put on the 44's I wouldn't even be able to turn them very well, let alone wheel in the rocks...and it turns out...it doesn't do to bad. Sure it hasn't been 100% ideal, but I can still have fun in my truck while I plan for the next change

And one of my pet peeves nowadays is when people say, "Just build it right the first time!" What does the term "right" really mean? Basically what they are saying is throw every single fancy part you can think of at it all at once, and they think then you won't have to touch it ever again. I say this is false...you will always be messing with your truck. Whether its because there is a new "fad" in the industry that everyone is doing, or because your individual "needs" that you want out of your truck have changed over time...either way, you are always going to be messing with it...that's why I say, just get the thing running, start enjoying it, and make your changes you want after that. Sure the building is fun too...but it gets to a point where you start wondering why you put so much time into something you can't even enjoy...at least that's the way I think

rant over :sign3:
 
I say stay away from the "Might as Well" with everything in builds so much. You have a lot of time into everything else right now...I would say get the truck running...take it on some trips down the freeway and do some wheeling and see then if you want a little more gearing. Axle gears are something that can be done very easily with the truck sitting in the driveway. You may find the current setup meets your current needs...but you won't know for sure how everything works in your truck until you go drive it (everyone else's opinions come from different trucks...some have small blocks, some have BB's, some have overdrive, some have doublers, and some have single cases, some are crew cabs, some are shortbeds, etc., etc., etc.). I thought for sure doing the rpm and gear ratio calc's that when I put on the 44's I wouldn't even be able to turn them very well, let alone wheel in the rocks...and it turns out...it doesn't do to bad. Sure it hasn't been 100% ideal, but I can still have fun in my truck while I plan for the next change

And one of my pet peeves nowadays is when people say, "Just build it right the first time!" What does the term "right" really mean? Basically what they are saying is throw every single fancy part you can think of at it all at once, and they think then you won't have to touch it ever again. I say this is false...you will always be messing with your truck. Whether its because there is a new "fad" in the industry that everyone is doing, or because your individual "needs" that you want out of your truck have changed over time...either way, you are always going to be messing with it...that's why I say, just get the thing running, start enjoying it, and make your changes you want after that. Sure the building is fun too...but it gets to a point where you start wondering why you put so much time into something you can't even enjoy...at least that's the way I think

rant over :sign3:


yeah I don't feel like I have to gear it now and I want this junk on the road come this spring so it's trail tested by the time the Moab trip comes around. Coming from the terrible t-case gearing it had, I know I'll be much better off even with the slightly larger tires. In fact I'm going from 20:1 to 54:1 as it sits.

Worse case scenario I could still gear it before Moab if I felt like it was necessary.
 
Well said. ^^

I still say, if you buy gears then go all the way BUT I would drive it first to see what you like.
 
yeah I don't feel like I have to gear it now and I want this junk on the road come this spring so it's trail tested by the time the Moab trip comes around. Coming from the terrible t-case gearing it had, I know I'll be much better off even with the slightly larger tires. In fact I'm going from 20:1 to 54:1 as it sits.

Worse case scenario I could still gear it before Moab if I felt like it was necessary.

That sounds like a good plan...and to be honest...54:1 sounds like a sweet spot to me, especially with 40's and a big block....I think it's going to be really good off-road. You may be wanting just a little bit more driving on the road in 1:1, but that will all depend on how much you drive it on the road.

I actually just placed an order for NWF's titan box, but same overall gear ratio as you have now, but with my lower 1st in my 700r4 and I have 4.56's, I will have an overall of 74:1 with 44's, which should feel about the same as your 54:1 on 40's...I think you will love it!!
 
That sounds like a good plan...and to be honest...54:1 sounds like a sweet spot to me, especially with 40's and a big block....I think it's going to be really good off-road. You may be wanting just a little bit more driving on the road in 1:1, but that will all depend on how much you drive it on the road.

With the TH400 I think you're right.

I actually just placed an order for NWF's titan box, but same overall gear ratio as you have now, but with my lower 1st in my 700r4 and I have 4.56's, I will have an overall of 74:1 with 44's, which should feel about the same as your 54:1 on 40's...I think you will love it!!

that's going to be pretty bitchin :saweet:
 
Why would 5.38's be more prone to breakage over 5.13's? Both have 8 pinion teeth. Seems like I do remember the 14 bolt gears being under cut (correct term?) in to the stem a little.

In theory the 5.38 is weaker due to the smaller pinion. Now I'm not sure it makes THAT much difference and you could make the same argument that 4.88s are stonger than 5.13 and so on. On the other side of that, we are talking about some pretty extreme mechanical leverage on components and strength does come into the equation at some point.
 
Another thing to consider is regearing may be easy, but it's nowhere near cheap. Always modify something with your end goal in mind. Swapping to 4.56 for example "knowing" your ditching that 400 for an 80e is foolish. It would hunt for gears all the time. Always be mindful of your future upgrades and goals. It's a great way to end up on jack stands for a bit but also it's a great way to save 1000s of dollars not redoing stuff three times. I would rather drive 55 for a year with 5.38s and ditch that turd 400 than spend the exact same money on 4.56 and not have all the advantages of a 80e
 
Last edited:
Another thing to consider is regearing may be easy, but it's nowhere near cheap. Always modify something with your end goal in mind. Swapping to 4.56 for example "knowing" your ditching that 400 for an 80e is foolish. It would hunt for gears all the time. Always be mindful of your future upgrades and goals. It's a great way to end up on jack stands for a bit but also it's a great way to save 1000s of dollars not redoing stuff three times.

I wouldn't ever spend the time and money on 4.56 gears for this setup.
 
I am all about do it right the first time or do it the way you want it the first time. Like dont through $$$ into a ten bolt when you have 44's.

But I also agree Kay86 get it done and see what you think. Gear swaps are easy and you may like the set up you have.
 

Latest Posts

Top Bottom