Gonna keep this short and simple. 95 f150 5.8L 2x4 with an e40d with a stage 2 b&m shift kit with the 8.8 rear end. I am running 35 inch mud tires that are quite heavy. I am constantly up and down shifting at highway speeds and i know i need re gearing. currently stuck with 3.55 limited slip rear end. what would be my best bet gear wise? i have heard 4.10, 4.30, and 4.56 although i think 4.56 would be too big for my size tires. currently get about 10-11mpg but the under gearing is definitely bothering me.

Just recently rebuild my motor, stock heads and intake although the heads have been re done and are effeminately flowing noticeably better than stock, have original manifolds on my exhaust system with true dual straight pipes, gonna put mufflers under it soon because its just too loud. engine is bored .030 over and has a new cam the guy who built my motor said its not much bigger than stock but its a little bit bigger...still no crazy performance out of the truck which is ok to me. but can anyone help me with what gears i should install?

 

Can't recall what the original tire size was, but assuming it was 235/75R15 - makes for a 28.9 inch tire height.

Running the numbers 35 inch / 28.9 inch x 3.55 original ratio == 4.30 new ratio target.

Going the other way 4.56 new ratio x 28.9 inch / 35 inch == 3.77 effective old ratio with original size tires.

All cipherin' aside, suggest you will be happier with the 4.56 ratio over the 4.30. The fuel economy won't be that much different...

 

4.56. Why not. Have fun with it.

4.10 if you plan on driving 65 mph or faster most of the time.

 

but can the 4.56 gears fit inside the 8.8 rear end? I have read of people having problems getting the gears to fit inside the carrier.

 

I don't think there is a problem on the 8.8. On 4WD vehicles with a Dana 44 you would need a different carrier for it to fit properly.

 

i have the 8.8 rear and dana 44 ttb in the front. I just realised i said 2x4 in the post. Sorry i have a 4x4. I beleive what happened was i was talking about trucks at the time of me typing the post and was saying 2x4 and meant to type 4x4 and typed the wrong thing

 

I think you can go to 3:73 without messing with the carriers.
Too many teeth and the ring gear gets in the way of installing the center cross pin.
I think that's the reason for the carrier change.
I've seen 4:10's put in the 3:55 carriers by shaving the pin though.

 

well could you point me in the direction or give me a link to the size carrier i would need for say 4.10 or 4.30?

 

Check out rockauto.com. Look under the drivetrain section for carriers and ring/pinion gears.

 

broncograveyard.com too.