well ill be darn, i was looking on Richmond Gear at there choices and i did see the 4.30 for the 8.5" rear but nothing out of the ordinary for the 7.2" front IFS. i Bow at the master, please forgive me

 

Diaita, so how far do you think 4.56 will put me over stock, i started thinking about the tire weight and excess drag and stuff that you mentioned eairler, i would just like to regain the loss gas milage that i just created..
i know that sounds a little cheesy, kinda like going to Mcdonalds and ordering a Big mac super size combo, then asking for a diet coke, stupid i know,but had to toss it out there

 

Hmm, I think I crossed my wires looking for the 7.2" 4.3:1 set, I can't find one...

At 65mph with stock tires(~28") and 3.42 gears you would be at around 1900rpm, with 33" tires and 4.56 gears you would be at around 2100rpm. If you were to run 4.30 gears instead of 4.56 it would only drop your rpm by about 120 rpm.

 

Don't know if it helps, but with 265/70/17's (aprox 32" tires) and 3.73 gears I'm at around 1900RPM at 65mph.

Wouldn't it be easier to go with a standard 4.10 or 4.56 if you're wanting decent mileage on the highway instead of searching for an odd gear? I'd think it would be easier to find parts down the road using more common sizes. If more than half your driving is city or offroad then I definitely agree with Diata in that you should consider the 4.56 gears and 33"s. I think I'd prefer 4.10's with my tire size if the majority of my driving wasn't highway right now.

 

Is 4.30 an odd gear, though? I mean, they're available from the factory with most manufacturers for their 3/4 ton and up chassis. But the question is serious... I know they're common enough on Class 7/8 trucks, but I'm not as well versed on what's common and odd on light duty vehicles.

 

i dont think the odd ratio gears are popular in our size trucks due to the weight, but i do think i will purchase the 4.56 gears,i will have slightly more bottom end, and scense im no speed demon on the road, it will probably work out ok.. i have heard of people mixing two different sets of gears to get a off ratio set, but will need to get more info on that..

 

KaBOOM!! Gear sets must be matched.

 

I think he means mix and matching rings and pinions from different sets to create custom rations. At least, I hope that's what he means. Never heard of doing that, though, myself.

Otherwise, KaBOOM! First time he pushes the 4wd button.

 

Mixing different ring gears with different pinion gears is not possible even if they are the same ratio. Every set is a matched pair.
Different front and rear ratios will start be turning on check lights and finish with broken driveline parts.

 

that i did not know, i read somplace a while back about a pinion from one set and a ring gear from a different set to create a more custom ratio..
Had no idea about the matching and all, so i will just stay with a common R&P like a 4.56 and just be happy with that, altho 4.56 may be slightly to much, the much added weight and drag of the tires should make up for it.. my MPG went from 19mpg to 13.9mpg, im now filling the tank 2 times a week...