Playing in the snow

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball

Depends on the type of snow, of course. My tyres are 32-11.50x15s (deep dish rims which replaced the standard 16" factory rims) and they seem to do a pretty good job. The 31-10.50s I had on my old jeep were ok, but tended to dig into really deep, fluffy snow, whereas these seem to float a bit better (plus they have a really aggressive tread pattern for bite). I think the 33-12.50s are just a bit too much though, even if they do look good. I'm running 4.10 diffs, but I think I should have gone for a bit higher ratio; in a headwind on the highway you can't pull fifth gear at normal speed limits (2WD of course).

I LOVE big pickup trucks, but the advantage of this in mud or snow is its short wheelbase. I can always pull a trailer if I need extra carrying capacity.

Jif




PS: Gas mileage with this 4L engine sucks anyway, so I'm not too worried. Might change it out for a 4BT diesel down the road, but this engine's still strong so I'll leave it for now.

Hi Jif..
You say...
"I'm running 4.10 diffs, but I think I should have gone for a bit higher ratio; in a headwind on the highway you can't pull fifth gear at normal speed limits (2WD of course).
If you put higher ratio diffs in,both of course..say 3.71:1..you would be in second gear in a head wind...that would really suck..
But your overall gas mileage would improve..mucho..
The old flat head Fords..'49-'54..had 4.11:1 rear ends.. they were the ideal ratio for making the old girls "Peel"to impress the chicks at school..no top end..but fast enough to scare a fellow..That is why they came out with overdrive.


You may want to look at your transfer case instead.This would be your best bet...change the input gears..
Check this out..
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/np231.htm

There are 40 something gear variations in the transfer cases..so there is something there for you..
Changing your diffs would not be the answer..
Check this out..
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge...nput_gears.htm

Enjoy..a good project for the barn boys..
Or the Scag..when he isn't busy..

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Alex

Thanks for those links. When I said 'higher' I meant numerically. In my previous jeep I went from 3.09s to 3.71s to accommodate the 31-10.50s, and while that wasn't enough, it did the trick, and it was cheaper than changing out the diffs themselves. The 4.1 diff gearsets I have in this seem to be about the same with these 32" tyres. I should have gone to ratios in the mid-4s methinks...

What I really need with THIS vehicle is a closer 5th gear - it's too far apart from 4th. Either that or a lower overall drive ratio (cheaper). I'll look into that transfer case.

Originally Posted by Alex Blair

Hi Jif..
You say...
"I'm running 4.10 diffs, but I think I should have gone for a bit higher ratio; in a headwind on the highway you can't pull fifth gear at normal speed limits (2WD of course).
If you put higher ratio diffs in,both of course..say 3.71:1..you would be in second gear in a head wind...that would really suck..
But your overall gas mileage would improve..mucho..
The old flat head Fords..'49-'54..had 4.11:1 rear ends.. they were the ideal ratio for making the old girls "Peel"to impress the chicks at school..no top end..but fast enough to scare a fellow..That is why they came out with overdrive.


You may want to look at your transfer case instead.This would be your best bet...change the input gears..
Check this out..
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/np231.htm

There are 40 something gear variations in the transfer cases..so there is something there for you..
Changing your diffs would not be the answer..
Check this out..
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge...nput_gears.htm

Enjoy..a good project for the barn boys..
Or the Scag..when he isn't busy..