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

[VXorado]

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

Bart

No, no, no Bart, not worth the difference. Don't worry, I can take those 4.77s off your hands .

Seriously though for your Trooper's tire size its not really worth it. I struggled with this going to 4.56 from 4.30 for my 35s & its really wasn't enough difference for the time, effort & money. For VXs or an auto Trooper it makes more sense to swap a 5-speed & get the ~3.75 1st gear. As you know, I stumbled upon an ARB 12 bolt 3rd with 4.56 so I ended up deciding to regear while upgrading to lockers.

IMO, those gears are worth too much $$$ for the a small benefit you'll get in the Trooper. Nice work finding those...

[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---

[yellowgizmo99]

1. yes on front as well

[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.

[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

[Ldub]

To clarify...

Stock 4.30 axle shaft revolutions per 1 wheel revolution

Upgrade 4.56/4.77 axle shaft revolution per 1 wheel revolution

Don't you mean DRIVE shaft revo's per wheel revo...?

Or have I had too much Jack...

[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

[VXorado]

Don't you mean DRIVE shaft revo's per wheel revo...?

Or have I had too much Jack...

I was just testing you... keep drinking, its working for you .

Drive shaft not axle shaft. My mistake.

[Ldub]

I was just testing you... keep drinking, its working for you .

You have nothing to worry about...

Since you don't live in my nape of the woods...

I'yem a guna kep havin sum john daniels til I sleepzzzzzzz gud, then I'm guna wayk up & light sume cottonwuud treez on fyr.....

(Should be a good 2 day burn)..

[BigSwede]

If the gears are already in a third member, you can swap the third in without requiring professional gear set-up. One of the nice things about the third member design.

[BigSwede]

Oh, and stock 245/70 = 29.5" diameter, so 33" represents 11.8% difference from stock. Ideally you want a similar change in gearing.
4.30 to 4.56 = 6.0%
4.30 to 4.77 = 10.9%

So 4.77s are pretty ideal for 33s.

[LittleBeast]

If the gears are already in a third member, you can swap the third in without requiring professional gear set-up. One of the nice things about the third member design.

I would have done this, but I wanted the LSD from the OE 3rd on the rear, so I had the rear 3rd rebuilt with OE LSD for $200. Fronts I just slapped right in there. I still have not done that write up yet, haha, whoops I have all the pics maybe I should do that soon.