gear ratio advice

[80' 427]

and den?

 

[xenomarine]

I've got an 88 with a 700R4, 35s, and 4.10s. This is actually overcompensating a little from the factory ratio and tire size (i.e. the speedometer will read faster than actual), but I can cruise on the interstate at 70-75 @2200-ish rpms. Power feels good, but I don't use OD except on the interstate.

edit: I also started with 3.08s

same here for me - i have a 14bsf with the 13" drums. it cruises beautifully on the highway at about the same as greg, i just can't bake the tires on pavement because my drums are so damn big. i would say get a set of 3/4 ton axles, redo the brakes and bearings, and throw them in for WAY less than what it costs to get gears installed.

 

[80' 427]

and den?

???

 

[nsxxtreme]

i dont make much money but i think im going to take a chance on putting 4:56s in my 10 bolts and then take it easy until i save up enough for a detroit locker in the rear

4.56 with 35" tires IMO sucks. Ok its not THAT bad but I went with 5.13's.
Also I broke the 4 teeth of the ring gear on the 10 bolt with 4.56's. That axle came out and a 14 bolt with 5.13's went back in.

 

[80' 427]

my 4.10s and 33s aren't that great

 

[82355]

People CALL me trying to unload these stupid axles. The half ton ones are annoying. They honestly can't be that hard to find.

Martin

 

[82355]

My Suburban has had 245/75R16's, 33x12.50x16.5's, 35x12.50x16.5's 37x12.50x16.5's, and 315/70R17's on it since I swapped to 4.10 geared 3/4 axles, and I have never once though I was under geared. I felt over geared a few times, but I don't have overdrive.

Martin

 

[sweetk30]

here is reason thay are hard to find

thay use TON'S of this stuff.

there is not many left of even 88-98 style like there was few years ago.

we even have 99-up trucks gone to massive rust out problems.

 

[82355]

They salt the roads here as well. That makes the axles easier to find. The trucks rust out and go to the tree lines.

Martin

 

[sweetk30]

price of scrap last few years made the tree lines clear to see threw around here.

should have seen the stuff going to the junk yards and scrap yards.

 

[80' 427]

my tree line is plenty full.

 

[80' 427]

I posted a crap load of axles for this kid and I am sure you can find them in a grader ditch near you.

 

[sweetk30]

i posted a clean fresh dd set with 15x10 rims for 400 bucks. and i mean clean from a almost show truck. guy went back to all stock no lift and 1/2 ton axles.

 

[xenomarine]

well right now i know what i got and i know how to wheel smart and im not just going to stupidly hammer on her out on the road but i was just looking to change the gears so the tranny isnt under so much stress and to do a quick drag race ocasionally and unfortunetly we dont have deals on axles like that around here people are asking tripple that for axles not as good

i pulled a full drivetrain out of a 76 3/4 ton for $275. i had to do the work and it took me a full weekend in the snow with crappy tools, but there are deals to be had. you just need to know what to look for. i started my truck on 3/4 tons when i lifted it. 8 lug 15" rims. now i'm going to 1 tons, with yet again a 15" rim.

if you look hard enough, there ARE deals to be had. especially around here and in NY, since we're a rusty rusty state. sheet metal is going the way of the dodo but thick steel like axles can't rot away that fast. find a rotted, snapped frame truck, and get parts off it.