Posted by Vaughn on Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 10:39AM :
In Reply to: 5.83 vs 4.89 Difference in Performance posted by Paul(in NY) on Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at 9:13PM :
Guys on the forum in the past that have changed from 5.83 to 4.89 say they hardly notice any difference in 1st with the TC in low range with stock drive train. Changes in gear ratios are made for two reasons:
Gearing for highway or
Gearing for power and negotiability
With the right choice of equipment you can have the best of both worlds. The transmission and transfer case combination you choose makes the difference over the switch from 5.83 to 4.89 or 4.89 to 5.83. A transmission with a very low 1st gear 7+ can be great for those tight areas or in rocky conditions. It can be offset with a 1.5 TC to split the gears for a faster 1st speed over the 1.96 TC. What combination you choose will determine how your truck performs.
My Suggestions:
- Go with 4.89 gears – they are stronger than the 5.83s
- Pick a transmission with a low 1st and high O/D 5th
- Go with a 1.5 TC with splits the gear evenly for 9 forward speeds
- Who cares about tire size as long as it’s 35+
- Use the front Rzeppa axle/u-joints from a WWII ¾ ton – they are stronger than the Tracta u-joints
- Use the rear axles/housing from a WWII ¾ ton – they are stronger than the offset third member design
- Repower with an engine 283+
With this combination you can have your cake and it too!