2.8L push 33's?

[Bronchitis bronco]

Ok... So I recently got another bronco 2 with the 2.8. After I put my lift from the previous one on I'm wondering if anyone still has stock gears with 33's.

 

[Hotrodlincoln]

You could probably do it if you live where it's perfectly flat for 100 miles in every direction. My 85 has 30's and it's a trick to get it rolling up the hills around here sometimes. I'm probably going back to the stock size when these wear out.

 

[Bronchitis bronco]

I mean... i've done it before with the 2.9.... it was ok.... occasional clutches get smoked.... but hey clutches are cheaper than gears right!?:icon_twisted:

 

[strvger]

better off putting in new gears with that tall a tire. just my $.02.

 

[budro]

Gears Gears Gears

My 85 I had 33's on it. Put 4.56 gears or 5.13 in the front and rear and you should be fine. Just be carefull with those tires on the Dana 28 front axle. Mine went down the highway fine but it was a 5-speed. I also had a RV camshaft, headers, and durasparked with a Holley 350 carb.

 

[martin]

It depends what stock gears you have in it. I've been running 33's on mine for the last twelve years with no complaints, it has 4:10's in it which I assume were stock.

 

[small ranger]

4.10's and 33= good. Stock 3.08 and 33= not good. depends on what stock is.

 

[Mafusa]

dude if your engine is in tune you should be able to smoke them 33's with a 2.8 I know that for a fact I used to drag race my 4x4 and it came stock with 6 in factory lift and 4.10 gears, and i had 35x12.50 15's on mine and could even smoke them just not as much,I had a 83 xlt single cab 5 spd, and never had one single break down and I did put my truck through hell I would use a better clutch tho. I was using a triple plate racing clutch.

 

[BeaterMan]

when i put my 33's on my 85' with the stock 3.73 gears its was worthless. I could rev it to the moon and dump the clutch and it would usually just stall out. 4x4 low was pretty crappy aswell and it struggled going up stuff it would normaly creep up with 30's and stock gears. I ended up putting 4.88 gears in when i did a 8.8/d35 swap and that really helped except for highway cruzing its at 3500 rpm at 65-70mph. The 2.8 is a good runner and should handle it but it's never gona be a power horse, I love the abuse it can take but man is it a gutless turd of a motor regardless of what you do to upgrade it. In all honesty, regear it

33's+2.8L+stock gears= slowest pos ever or at least mine was.

 

[Bronchitis bronco]

Ok... So how much does a new ring and pinion cost. AND would I be able to put it in. I mean I know my way around the truck but have never done a ring and pinion. I have 3.73's in it now would like to go 4.10 at least. Last bronco 2 i had with the 2.9 with 33's i only needed 5th gear for 70 mph which was a little ridiculous. Yeah.... I'm in the Dana 28 axle snappers club.....

 

[Big Jim M]

Nope! You CANNOT install a new ring and pinion set!!! If you have to ask can I, it will be impossible for you to do it.
Big JIm

 

[strvger]

x2 what Big Jim said. and as long as you're getting the gears put in , it would be the best time to add a locker, at least in the rear axle. should be able to buy all new, including the locker, and get it installed for under $2k easily. might find what you need in good used condition for way less. check the parts for sale forum here as i only paid like $250 for my Detroit locker that was in excellent condition. just my $.02.

 

[dangerranger83]

Its not a matter of can I (you) do something, its will I learn how to do something and take the time to research what I need to do it etc... I just got done putting in my first set of gears in an axle, Dana 30 for my SAS, today and I'm damn proud of myself.

If your wanting to do a gear swap and do a locker too, do both of them at the same time.

 

[Bronchitis bronco]

Nice thanks Danger Ranger... I'm going to do it. I don't care if someone thinks i CANT do it cuz i will anyway... I'm sure most ppl didn't go to school to learn how to do stuff. But thank you for the encouragement and ill keep y'all posted.