Tires & gears
02-11-2010, 04:11 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Tires & gears
Howdy Ya'll, I've got a couple questions and I'm hoping to get some good feedback. First things first, I'm stationed in Balad Iraq, and I cannot see/test my truck until I go home in June for R&R. Secondly, my truck is a 1997 F-150 XLT, Single Cab, Short Bed, 5.4L, 5 Speed Man., 4x4. Currently it's sitting on 305/70/16 (33x12.50) Mickey Thompson MTZ's on Mickey Thompson Classic Locks thanks to a 3" body lift. It is currently getting upfitted with a 6" SkyJacker suspension lift, which will give me 9" total clearance. QUESTION #1 - What's the biggest tire I can run without fender trim/cutting? According to Mickey Thompson's tire guide (www.mickeythompsontires.com) I can run 35's-37's no problem. Now most 6" suspension lifts recommend 35's (315/75/16) but I can tuck those as it sits. I really want to run a 38x15.50x16, but don't want to ruin the fenders. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
Okay, this "paragraph" is about the proper gear selection. I'm stuck between 4.56 and 4.88. I'm not worried about MPG, my main focus is on getting down the road during the week, and having a good hole shot when I'm at the mud drag track on saturday night! Now I'm not a 1st time builder, I know generally the bigger the tire, the lower the gear, but not in all cases. I will be using Detroit Lockers both front and rear instead of an ARB Air Locker or Eaton E-Loc. So, QUESTION #2 - What's the best gear for a V8 powered 5 speed with 35"-38" tires that is both driven on black top as well as raced in the mud? I've got people back home sceaming 4.56 is fine up to 40"s and then I have some saying if it's bigger than a 35, it needs 4.88...
If anybody could shed some light on this, I would greatly appreciate it!! Like I stated earlier, the truck is at home in Kentucky, and I'm in Iraq until June. The worst part is, I come home the week of the "Season Opener" and I'm already getting e-mails for people expecting me to race. I'm having it finished while I am here, so hopefully I can come home, throw some rooster tails, and win me another trophy!! Thanks again for all your time!!
Okay, this "paragraph" is about the proper gear selection. I'm stuck between 4.56 and 4.88. I'm not worried about MPG, my main focus is on getting down the road during the week, and having a good hole shot when I'm at the mud drag track on saturday night! Now I'm not a 1st time builder, I know generally the bigger the tire, the lower the gear, but not in all cases. I will be using Detroit Lockers both front and rear instead of an ARB Air Locker or Eaton E-Loc. So, QUESTION #2 - What's the best gear for a V8 powered 5 speed with 35"-38" tires that is both driven on black top as well as raced in the mud? I've got people back home sceaming 4.56 is fine up to 40"s and then I have some saying if it's bigger than a 35, it needs 4.88...
If anybody could shed some light on this, I would greatly appreciate it!! Like I stated earlier, the truck is at home in Kentucky, and I'm in Iraq until June. The worst part is, I come home the week of the "Season Opener" and I'm already getting e-mails for people expecting me to race. I'm having it finished while I am here, so hopefully I can come home, throw some rooster tails, and win me another trophy!! Thanks again for all your time!!
02-11-2010, 04:23 PM
#2
both sound really low to me... what's the redline on that 5.4? rpms are gonna be really high on the 4.88, loose more highway speed with that one. in 4 L, this things gonna barely move!
02-11-2010, 08:26 PM
#4
A buddy of mine owns a 4x4 shop and he told me that 4.56 would be perfect for my 35" tires. He said it will bring it back to stock plus a little more snap off the line.