Help me pick gear ratio/options

[teacher_dave]

Ok, just picked up a 14BFF and 8-lug 10bolt for the burb for $150. The 14b has 4.10s and the 10bolt has 3.42s. I have a used set of 4.88's for a 10bolt.

Final goal is to run a 35" to 37" (H1) tire. Around here we have sand over red clay in the hills and gumbo mud in the bottoms.

Which would you do? Buy a set of 4.10s for the 10bolt (one rebuild kit to buy) or buy a set or 4.88s for the 14b and regear both axles (two rebuild kits to buy)?

 

[Z71paramedic]

I'm not sure what would work best for you. My 72 had 4.88's in the 1/2 tons when I bought it and on 40's it was too much gear. My new 1 tons have 4.56's and I'm hoping that little difference will be just right. Granted the over-gearing before wasn't bad but I think a little less will be nice. Not sure if that's true or not but I guess we'll see... If it were me I'd prolly do the one set of 4.10's and try it out. Worst case is you run it that way for a bit and then sell a lightly used set of gears and bump to the 4.88's

 

[sweetk30]

most guys i have seen with more than 4.10 in 10 bolts or 44 fronts tend to rip teeth off ring gears. and thay run 38-40" tires.

so i say realy look at what you wana do and plan on the correct path.

i know i had 2 44 fronts with 38" tires and ripped teeth off the ring gears . stepped up to a 60 and havent broken a thing since.

 

[6.2Blazer]

Buy a 10-bolt with 4.10 gears and slap it in, or try to buy a used R&P for the front. This would be by far the cheapest and easiest option, and if you don't like that gear you can always go to the 4.88's. Just can't justify paying more for gears and a setup kit than what the 10-bolt is worth.

For gearing choices, I wouldn't worry about the axle gears for just off-roading as the difference between 4.10 and 4.88 is pretty minimal when down in 4 low on the trail. From my experience minor axle gearing changes are mostly apparent on the pavement in 2 hi.

 

[496truck]

Ideal gear ratio for 35s would be 4.56s. I've been wheeling some pretty good stuff with my 35s and 4.10s though. But this is more of a crawling type of wheeling. Not sure about mud.

If I was in your position, I'd put 4.10s in the 10b and call it a day. But, I'd limit my tire size to 35s. It works good for me.

 

[wayne]

I would go with the 4.88's if you have a overdrive trans. It's a heavy Burb and I don't think the 4.10's are enough gear. My K5 when it was still on the street with 4.10's with both 35's and 37's sucked. I was never happy with the power. My first K5 I built had 35's and 4.56's and was much better. If you do around 80% driving around town and about 20% highway deffinately go to the 4.88's.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

4.88's, ESPECIALLY if you are planning on 37's.

 

[crawlink5]

I have 4.56 with 38/39" tires. WIsh I had 4.88s.

But I would not spend a lot on the 10 Bolt. I also would not by 35s to match a 10 bolt if I really wanted larger tires. That is a hard decision. I'd most likely do 4.10s for 10 bolt and find some cheap used 35s until going with 4.88s later