• RME Gear & Apparel

What overall gear ratio do you like to run?

M

machrism

Member
Location
Las Cruces, NM
I did a search for this already but didnt find anything. I have been thinking about gearing alot and pondered about what numbers you guys have,why, and how you got. For example. I read where someone said to be in the 220:1 ratio for rock crawling. Not to fast. Not too slow. What is too much or not enough and do you rock crawl, mud, or sand your rig? I hope this can be a fun and technical thread to see what others have and like.
 
thenag

thenag

Registered User
Location
Kearns
real transmission or slush box?

In my bronco I had a 460, np435, np203/205 only had 4.11's in the diffs, had about 110:1 it worked well even though it was 6500lbs.

The axles are now under a xj with a 4.0L ax15, np231/d300, and still 4.11's. it is like 127:1. Haven't wheeled it too much but super low is plenty low enough. Usually use double low and 2nd gear to get up ledges.

I think uber low gears are one thing that you will pretty much always use. We have to re-gear the xj now because 4.11's with the ax15 sucks on road...

If you still drive it on road I think that is a major consideration, it has to be high enough to go fast without blowing up the motor and low enough to accelerate safely.

nathan
99 xj
build thread
http://rme4x4.com/showthread.php?t=83436

machrism said:
I did a search for this already but didnt find anything. I have been thinking about gearing alot and pondered about what numbers you guys have,why, and how you got. For example. I read where someone said to be in the 220:1 ratio for rock crawling. Not to fast. Not too slow. What is too much or not enough and do you rock crawl, mud, or sand your rig? I hope this can be a fun and technical thread to see what others have and like.
Click to expand...
 
M

machrism

Member
Location
Las Cruces, NM
What size tires did you have on the Bronco and that are them now? Bronco sounded like fun. Curious as to why it was so heavy though.When I can use a real computer and not my phone. Ill read your build thread.

thenag said:
real transmission or slush box?

In my bronco I had a 460, np435, np203/205 only had 4.11's in the diffs, had about 110:1 it worked well even though it was 6500lbs.

The axles are now under a xj with a 4.0L ax15, np231/d300, and still 4.11's. it is like 127:1. Haven't wheeled it too much but super low is plenty low enough. Usually use double low and 2nd gear to get up ledges.

I think uber low gears are one thing that you will pretty much always use. We have to re-gear the xj now because 4.11's with the ax15 sucks on road...

If you still drive it on road I think that is a major consideration, it has to be high enough to go fast without blowing up the motor and low enough to accelerate safely.

nathan
99 xj
build thread
http://rme4x4.com/showthread.php?t=83436
Click to expand...
 
Chevycrew

Chevycrew

Well-Known Member
Location
WVC, UT
Mine is about 103 to 1 with an auto love it. But you can easily run less and be ok with an auto. I would shoot for ending up with about a factory ratio for highway, low range is all up to you. 2.72 low works good in mud and sand, lower for rocks.

I shoot for 4.10 with 33, 4.56 with 35, 4.88 with 38, but that's with a v8
 
F

Floydargue

New guy
Location
Salt Lake City
220:1

220:1, really? Wow, that is low! As far as i know, not too many people shoot for 200s. Even with a 4 banger and big tires, that is very slow.

I have an XJ with an AX15 standard and a 4.0L on 35s, and 140:1 at it's lowest. 140:1 will spin all 4 35s at idle in pretty much any situation. It is a great ratio for very slow, technical stuff. In second gear, i get 84:1 which is still pretty slow, and will idle through a lot of stuff...but is a little more stallable. I can get a little momentum in that gear, but it is still a little too slow for a good bump.

If I switch out of compound low and back to 1st gear, I am at 51:1 which is my all-purpose trail gear. It is just enough to go slow, and have plenty of momentum for ledges. It is too fast for technical stuff, though. I love these ratios - they have been working great for my needs.
 
L

LT.

Well-Known Member
Location
Los Alamos, New Mexico
100:1 for an auto is great for more technical stuff. If you want to run an manual I would suggest a lower ratio. Maybe 120:1 or there abouts. I prefer a dual T-case so you have more options for low range. A four speed or a three speed case from Atlas or Stak would also work for this. Some folks who run Toyota's seem to like even more for crawling. 200:1 in not uncommon. I have seen video of 500+:1 and it seems to work for them. I would not run that low but, to each their own.

LT.
 
thenag

thenag

Registered User
Location
Kearns
machrism said:
What size tires did you have on the Bronco and that are them now? Bronco sounded like fun. Curious as to why it was so heavy though.When I can use a real computer and not my phone. Ill read your build thread.

Click to expand...

37's on the bronco, same tires and wheels under the xj now. I guess tire size is important...:ugh:

as to the weight of the bronco, it started at about 5200, add 500lbs tires and wheels, one ton axles, 200lb transfer case, 125-ish lb gas tank skid plate and lots of spare parts.

I don't have a build thread for the bronco.

nathan
 
sixstringsteve

sixstringsteve

Well-Known Member
Location
UT
I'm 224:1 and it's too low most of the time (5-speed.). So I end up running mine at about 120:1 most of the time. I go to 224:1 when I really want to crawl slow and controlled.
 
N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
old rig had a 4cyl manual with crawl ratio of 84.57 w/36's and 1st was too low for some climbs, luckily 2nd worked :D

current rig has 6cyl auto with crawl ratio of 27 (gasp) w/33's and i like it other than the freeway-ability. if i ever step up to 35's i'll have a hard time deciding between doing 4.56's or a 4:1 case. i'd have to be done freeway-driving it to go with the 4:1 alone. if a cheap way to get 4.10's existed i think it would be perfect for the type of wheeling i do (moab). too low of gears sucks :ugh:
 
K

kobyhud

Lurker
Location
Lindon, UT
I run 37:1 final crawl ratio with an auto and 38s. It isn't quite low enough for my ailing transmission. 50:1, maybe 60:1 would be nice. If I had a V8 and a solid transmission 37:1 would probably be fine.

You probably shouldn't go much past 60:1 with an auto. 100:1 is ridiculous for an auto, it would be very unlikely that your brakes could hold back the idle.
 
M

machrism

Member
Location
Las Cruces, NM
...and I thought my 92 Dodge longbed was heavy at 5,000. Ive decided to not get those axles with the 5.13s. Just too much gearing for 37s. So Im hoping the spare D44 I have has the same spline count as my truck. Just save the money for axles I need and get them how I want them. I might even buy a CUCV. If I can get one cheap and use those axles. Sell the rest. Either way. A D60 and 14 bolt is the only way Ill go. Rockwells just cost too much. :(

I have been reading every post in this thread and have decided to go with 37s, 4.56 gears, and get an Atlas. Probable the 6.0 so crawling with be close to 150 and second isnt quite as low. Rather have more than not enough. Love my NV4500.

thenag said:
37's on the bronco, same tires and wheels under the xj now. I guess tire size is important...:ugh:

as to the weight of the bronco, it started at about 5200, add 500lbs tires and wheels, one ton axles, 200lb transfer case, 125-ish lb gas tank skid plate and lots of spare parts.

I don't have a build thread for the bronco.

nathan
Click to expand...
 
iamsparticus

iamsparticus

Take your Rig to the Edge
Location
Ogden,Ut
I run about 30 to1 with a auto and 35's and its not low enough, i would love 4.7's in my t-case which would put me at 65:1final ratio and i think thats just right for a auto, and im going to 37's
 
RockChucker

RockChucker

Well-Known Member
Location
Highland
my crawl ratio is just about 70:1 in first gear. that is perfect for me. and i have a manual. if fact many times i wish my tcase was 2.72:1 instead of 4:1. 4:1 rocks in moab and on the rocks but in sand and times where more speed is needed the 4:1 leaves a lot to be desired. a 4 speed atlas would be awesome, or a stack...
 
M

machrism

Member
Location
Las Cruces, NM
I'm back and apologize for opening an uner old thread. Got caught up in life and stuff and took a long break. Got a better job though so it's working for me. I'll start a build tread when I can. I was able to fix my axle with the spare and use the original pumpkin and gears. The spare 44 happened to be a stronger model too I will stop there though. It is currently back ate shop waiting a gutted interior, aluminum, dash and cage with Mastercraft seats. Can't wait.
 
B

B2-Bomber

Guest
Location
SL, UT
i know it is an old thread, lets see if we can bring it back from the dead.

i run 60:1 with 35" tires, it runs the freeway, and trails. any lower and it wouldn't do freeway

first gear 6.55, t-case 1.98, differential:4.56

i like my taller 4.56 final drive ratio so that it isn't a designated crawler, with 5.14+ gears in it. i make up the difference in my low-geared transmission that has a 6.55:1 first gear, and a 6.10:1 reverse with allows me to have a street driveable rig that as soon as i put it into 1st gear it crawls on the trails too

for example: i have other broncoII buddies with 5.14 gears, neither of us have o/d transmissions they had to trailer out to waynes world, they drove most the trail in 4-lo. i had 4.56 gears, and i drove out there, and never touched 4-lo

your overall crawl ratio is only half the story. the other half is how you accomplish it, and in what ways it limits your rig (i.e. freeway etc.)
naturally trailer queen crawlers should be around, or over 100:1 because they don't need the freeway speeds anyway. its the non purpose built rigs that need to find that happy medium
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top