I know it has been discussed many times but please read.

[Sander]

Yes, gear choice again, but hear me out.

I live in the Netherlands. Legal speed limit is 75mph. Though I'd like to go 85mph. There are no hills or mountains here, the whole country is flat. I have a K5 that is used for mostly on-road, mild to moderate offroading (just fun, no heavy trails) mild towing.

It has 350ci stock V8/700r4/208/12bolt/D44.
I want to go up to 35inch tires. 4.10 or 4.54 gears?

And could you tell me why.

Also, how do I identify the cariers on both axles. (to see if I need thick gears).
Last. I read some things about c-clips and think gears being a problem. Is that so?


Thanks.

 

[89yimmiJ]

I have an '89 with 700r4 and np241, stock 350 with 125K miles. It came stock with 2.73's. I run 35's with d44/ 14b and put 4.11's in. It runs great everywhere I go. I cruise at 85 regularily and have brought it over 100 many times. When it is heavily loaded and going up hills it seems to strain a little but doesn't slow down. I added a s-trim vortech with 5lbs boost a few years ago and it solved that.

 

[jonathon]

4.56's hands down.. you've got a 700r4 so in OD you'll be smack in the middle of your power band with 35" tires, and it'll do better around town in the lower gears than with 4.10's.

I'm running my 315/75R16's with 3.73's.. with the 265/75r16's I felt it already didn't have enough gear for a truck with OD(it would down shift on hills), and now I won't be using it at all till I get 4.56's.

 

[badmix]

Yip the 4:56s. will be better for you.

I have 305cid, 700r and 33" tires. I run 4:10s and run 65mph @ 2100rpm. If you have 35" tires, youll be turning lower RPMs and not be in the power band (sweet spot) of the truck. There really isnt that big a diff. in the gear ratios, but the 4:56s will help better off roading and with the 700r, itll make up for the slight deeper gear.