Are 488 gears low enough...

[Metal Twister]

Im building my rig to tow and recover my tube crawler that I am building. Im going to use the 350ci engine and 350 trans for now. The plan is to eventually move up to 37's or 38's. Do you guys find that the 488 gears are about right for that use or should I be thinking lower? I will be going to a 14 bolt rear with discs before I buy the gears. Just doing my home work in advance.

 

[zombie1969]

If your just using it to yank trucks out a hole 4low should do the trick.

 

[stumpbuster]

me be runnin 40's wit 4.56's and it all good in 4low
you be good wit 4.88's

 

[Nazarethk5]

Well if you plan on highway use I wouldn't recommend 4.88s. I have 4.88s, 38s and a 700r4 and its just rite at 60 mph but without overdrive it wouldnt work too well.

 

[ezoliver]

I would think 4.10's would work for 37's and a TH350 for highway gearing. If you want slower speed for offroad invest in a doubler setup or lower geared t-case.

Depends on how much time on the road it will see.

 

[Metal Twister]

I would think 4.10's would work for 37's and a TH350 for highway gearing. If you want slower speed for offroad invest in a doubler setup or lower geared t-case.

Depends on how much time on the road it will see.

Mostly long grades over the mountains to the desert and back. Just dont to have to grunt it over the mountains! The recovery part isnt as big of concern. thats what winches are for.

 

[Blue85]

The plan is to eventually move up to 37's or 38's.

4.88s are a great choice. If you are thinking more 37s than 38s, you might prefer 4.56 if it will be on the highway a lot. Mostly trail and 38s being more likely you could go as low as 5.13 for a ton of grunt. What I question is the word "eventually". The best time to do the gear change is the same time you change the tire size.