4:77's & 35's...some stats...

[BigSwede]

Bart, 4.56 to 4.77 is a 4.6% change.

By way of comparison, going from stock 245/70 (29.5") tires to 265/75 (~32") is about a 7% change.

[nfpgasmask]

Bart, 4.56 to 4.77 is a 4.6% change.

By way of comparison, going from stock 245/70 (29.5") tires to 265/75 (~32") is about a 7% change.

Thanks, Swede. So you think there will be a somewhat noticeable change?

Bart

[BigSwede]

Whereas, for the VX, going from 4.30 to 4.77 is close to an 11% change...just sayin...

[samneil2000]

In other words, it's not worth it Bart, so just sell them to me...

[SilverBullet75]

Ok. You guys got my attention now.
I have "play money" and am in upgrade mode with my VX.

I'm amazed at the off the line ability that my VX has WITH 33's (more that it's not that much different from stock), so if it'll improve with 4.77s, I'll start looking.

Now, I don't have much knowledge in this area, so please forgive the "dumb" questions:

1. Do I have to regear the front as well as the rear?
2. Does it require any special tools or experience, or can I do it myself (I'm a capable do-it-yourself'er).
3. How do the numbers work? With 33's, do I want a higher number or lower (4.77 vs. 4.56 vs. 5.38, etc...)? Note: I'm not a hard core wheeler... 90+% street...
4. Should I re-gear before I diff-drop, or does it matter?
... I'm sure there'll be more questions.
thanks for any help!
---JIM---

[JoFotoz]

Your first issue will be finding gears......


......lots are looking, they are like hens teeth!

jo

[VXorado]

1. Do I have to regear the front as well as the rear?Yes
2. Does it require any special tools or experience, or can I do it myself (I'm a capable do-it-yourself'er). You'll need the gears professionally installed into the 3rd member, installing in the axles is fairly easy
3. How do the numbers work? With 33's, do I want a higher number or lower (4.77 vs. 4.56 vs. 5.38, etc...)? Note: I'm not a hard core wheeler... 90+% street... The only choices are 4.77,4.10,4.56
4. Should I re-gear before I diff-drop, or does it matter? At the same time because you need to drop the diff to install the gears
... I'm sure there'll be more questions.
thanks for any help!
---JIM---

I'm installing 4.56 gears this Spring because I bought an ARB locker installed into a 12 bolt 3rd with 4.56 gearing. I wouldn't install the 4.56 without the locker- too much work for little gains. 4.77 is a great upgrade but very hard to find... I gave up after a year of looking.

[Ldub]

Ok. You guys got my attention now.
I have "play money" and am in upgrade mode with my VX.

I'm amazed at the off the line ability that my VX has WITH 33's (more that it's not that much different from stock), so if it'll improve with 4.77s, I'll start looking.

Now, I don't have much knowledge in this area, so please forgive the "dumb" questions:

1. Do I have to regear the front as well as the rear?

YES

2. Does it require any special tools or experience, or can I do it myself (I'm a capable do-it-yourself'er).

That's really hard to say for sure, read "Little Beasts" write up on changing gears & see what you think.

3. How do the numbers work? With 33's, do I want a higher number or lower (4.77 vs. 4.56 vs. 5.38, etc...)? Note: I'm not a hard core wheeler... 90+% street...

The higher the number, the lower the gearing = the higher the number, the quicker the acceleration.

4. Should I re-gear before I diff-drop, or does it matter?

You should do both at the same time, since you have to drop the front axle to do either....

... I'm sure there'll be more questions.
thanks for any help!
---JIM---

Just reprising some answers from the gang, & adding a bit of my own experience...

This says something...

And this should help you decide wether you have the skills required...

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ight=gear+swap

However, I WILL say, that I had never changed out a 3rd member before I owned a VX...

This might help a little too...

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...t=speed+sensor

[Maddawg]

I'm amazed at the off the line ability that my VX has WITH 33's (more that it's not that much different from stock), so if it'll improve with 4.77s, I'll start looking.

That's a 1.6" increase on the radius (about 10% reduction in accel). I think? Seems to me that would be very noticeable.

[Ldub]

That's a 1.6" increase on the radius (about 10% reduction in accel). I think? Seems to me that would be very noticeable.

Today, as I was running errands, it came to me...(light bulb moment)

The difference in acceleration feels to me, like about the difference between the A/C off vs A/C on...but just a little better.

[Maddawg]

Today, as I was running errands, it came to me...(light bulb moment)

The difference in acceleration feels to me, like about the difference between the A/C off vs A/C on...but just a little better.

Are you running 33's with stock gearing?? I always have A/C on in the desert.

[SilverBullet75]

That's a 1.6" increase on the radius (about 10% reduction in accel). I think? Seems to me that would be very noticeable.

I have 33's w/stock gearing. I like LDubs analogy about the A/C.
BUT, i realized a caveat recently. It depends on exhaust! When I posted that the off the line feel was not that different than stock, I had a much more open exhaust than I do right now. Back then I had a Cherry Bomb Vortex muffler (similar to Flowmaster 40). Recently I added a SuperTrapp with 24 disks to tame it a little. It gave better tone and higher RPM torque due to back pressure increase, but low-end torque dropped a little. It bogs SLIGHTLY from a stop if throttle is aggressive. Once up to 2300ish RPM and WOT, it screams (as much as a 3.5 can...).
But, less restricted... yes, much better off the line.

[Maddawg]

I have 33's w/stock gearing. I like LDubs analogy about the A/C.
BUT, i realized a caveat recently. It depends on exhaust! When I posted that the off the line feel was not that different than stock, I had a much more open exhaust than I do right now. Back then I had a Cherry Bomb Vortex muffler (similar to Flowmaster 40). Recently I added a SuperTrapp with 24 disks to tame it a little. It gave better tone and higher RPM torque due to back pressure increase, but low-end torque dropped a little. It bogs SLIGHTLY from a stop if throttle is aggressive. Once up to 2300ish RPM and WOT, it screams (as much as a 3.5 can...).
But, less restricted... yes, much better off the line.

Thanks SilverBullet! I just went back to a stock muffler after going half deaf with the Flowmaster 40. The only experience I've had with the SuperTrapp was on my Baja and my dirt bike, I think I was running about 12 or 16 discs on them. Just talking ya know.

[yellowgizmo99]

1. yes on front as well

[VXorado]

To clarify...

Stock 4.30 axle shaft revolutions per 1 wheel revolution

Upgrade 4.56/4.77 axle shaft revolution per 1 wheel revolution