axle swap, what gears?

You could run some shorter tires with you higher gear till the engine swap happens. Then get your 35's on.

 

read further up in the thread. They have stood up because i have been very gentle with them but i'm interested in stepping up the type of wheeling im doing and i want something that will take a beating. Thats why we swap axles to begin with
I'd rather wheel something solid than break them two miles into the bush and have to swap out shafts in the mud.
10 spline axles are easy to break on 35's, even with an L-head.

I wasn't really asking if i should do the axle swap or not, i've already decided that part, i was more interested in members' feedback on gearing... and i've gotten that

thanks all

 

Put the 5.38s in for now, wheel the heck out of it. Do the V8 swap 1-2 years from now and see what its like, then you might have to regear it but at least it will perform like you want it to. Also if you do have to regear its not like you'll have to buy new carriers, just the gears and pinion bearings. You'll probably be able to re-sell the D44 5.38 gears pretty easily also if you di end up regearing in the long run.

 

:iagree: . that makes good sense.

thanks for the advice

 

I have been reading all of the replies. My idea would be to do what I am doing. I am doing a spring over swap with a later 44 and 30 and am sticking w/ 5.38's for the low end. But my solution is the Warn overdrive. I am running a small block chevy w/ T90 and 18 transfer case and will be able to cruise down the highway at relatively respectable speeds. But I still have a ton of power and torque w/ the deep gears and v8.

One question for you guys is where is the best place to buy gear sets for your waggy axles?? Have opportunity to get some axles but didnt know where to find re-gear options and set up info?

 

http://www.ringpinion.com/Default.aspx
Good info and parts availability there. Also put an ad in the Classifieds. Someone may have what you need laying around!

 

I have a fresh torquey small block. I run 4.10 with 35 " tires. My final drive is around 64:1. It works great, but I could be a little lower when crawling through the hard stuff. I would probably run 4:56 or 4:88 if i were to switch. 5:38 gears are a little annoying on the street with a good V-8. I would recommend switching now to 4:88.

 

been leaning towards the 4:88 lately.. i think it will work for the L134 as well as the SBC. thanks for the tip