So I am lookin for some info guys. My new 98 12v 5 speed has 4.10 gears in her. Not the best for MPG. Ya I know add bigger tires, but there is a brand spankin new set of TOYO A/T on there, and there a darn good tire. Have 60K on the set thats on the 1st gen.
Well back to the point. Gear change. So I am thinking of swapping 3.55! Well in April I am driving from Florida to Washington state to pick my son up, and am thinking about getting a set of 3.31, just for the Dana 80 rear. Being it will be all freeway driving. I am thinking the best MPG here. I will also have 6 55 gal. drums in the back of home brew bio for the trip.

So fellas help me out with advice, and maybe a good deal on a set of 3.31 greas and open carrier. Lookin for a low buck deal, being a single Military dad here.

Bob

 

So there isnt any one with info on some low gears on our trucks, or even a good deal.

Bob

 

your best bet would be to fly, cause with 330 gals of fuel in the back i hope no one stops you. im also in the military and with the discounts we get you could do round trip air fair for what your gonna spend. but 3.55 would work im getting 26 mpg with my gear vendors at 65mph and egt at 450-500 and boost at 4psi.

 

crabbelle,

Well the only way you get discounts on flight are if your on ordders, and I will not be. And mac flight are good, but I will be bringing my 2 year old son back with me, and MAC flight dont allow dependents anymore. and on the fuel thing its not going to cost even close to the amount as my plane ticket whould be. and plus I will have to get another ticket back for my son. So making my bio, and driving is cheaper. plus I will have a canapy on the bed, no one will bother me. But thanks for your thoughts. and 3.54, or 3.55's are what I will probably do, unless I find a set of junk yard 3.31's.

Bob

 

I dunno about haulin 6 55gal. drums of...oil. That is a serious safety hazard. You might be the best driver in the world but it is always the other person thats out there. Thats a bad scene waiting to happen. JMO Ohh' and another thing...you'll see when you load it... your rear bumper is gonna be so close to the ground ,that itself might make you think twice.

 

well we use to have a 400 gal diesel tank on a flat bed ford, and drove all over the state doing custom haying jobs. as long as its marked ur good in jonny laws eyes,. she wont be squatin to bad. and plus i am pulling my KELDERMAN AIR RIDE off the first gen. And wicked I have seen 8 55 gal drum full of 15-40 motor oil on a flat bad dodge, and she just squated a lil, and that oil is much heavier than bio diesel. So for saftey hazards every thing will be strapped down nice in tight. no worries fellas.

now back to my gear search! any one got any good deal leads. or is it just 2 cents night

Bob

 

Chances of finding a junkyard gearset that are 3.31 are slim, as I think they were never OEM gears. I'd love to have a set though. What would you do about the front? I imagine they don't make 3.31's for the D60. Thats why the D61 came to be.

 

theres a 3.73 ring and pinion set in the 3rd classifieds.

 

Tate, ya they are only after market, but I have 4 yunger brothers and a couple buddys from here in florida to washington state looking around. And for the front I wasnt going to mess with it, I was just going to use the 3.31 for the 6200 mile round trip. All freeway driving, so 4x4 shouidnt be needed in May. But I think its going to be cheaper to throw a leveling kit on her and pull the 35's off the st gen for the trip. That will Lower the RPM's from 2400+ with the 245's to just a tad over 2100 rpms @ 70mph. And if I keep it between 65-70 I will be good for good mpg. I drove the first gen from Washington State to florida with those 35's on her and avg. 21-22 mpg. not going a lick over 70mph.

Carbbella, Thanks for the info on the gears, but i am leaning more twards the 3.54's, or 3.55's. Thanks though.
If some one will give me a good deel on these 245 toyo A/T's I will put a set of 35's on. heck they sont even have 1k on them.

Bob.