What would be the best gear ratio to use. I have a1950 f-1 with a 302/c4. 9" rear end out of a 69 Ranchero. I don't know what gears are in it now but l would like to if there's a better ratio for the freeway.

 

You sure that's a 9 inch? 1969 Ranchero 302/C4 could have come with either an 8 inch or 9 inch. 8 looks very similar to a 9, but...no parts interchange.

 

I'm sure it's a 9"

 

Your ratio depends on where you live and intend to drive - Flatland 3:00 or 20 should be ok - Mountains 3:75 give or take .20 - Both sets should give 65 mph unless your running 25 inch tall tires

 

Thanks 4tl8ford. I live in California in the Los Angeles area. There's a few hills to get over here and there but nothing major. I was looking to be able to cruise at 70 for the trips to Vegas or Santa Barbara.

 

My AOD/9"/3.50 has proven to be a good all around gear for performance and highway.

 

tires heigth are another factor.

 

I just went out to look at the rear end. I was wrong. It's an 8".
Moe Craig, I'm running 175 70 r14.

 

AHA! I thought so, 302/C4 was the dead bang give-away. While a 9 could have been ordered with this combo in a Ranchero, most came with an 8.

Common 8" ratios were 2.75 & 3.00. Same R&P's 1962/80 and since you live here in LA LA Land, finding either should be fairly EZ.

Give Bo a call at Mustang Service Center in North Hollywood (818-765-9266). He probably has several. Bo was a Ford partsman almost as long as I was.

 

Big price difference in gears.

 

Do a serch for mile per hr calculator.
Your tire diameter for the tire you listed above is 23.6 in
This tire will have 866 rev per mile
add desired engine rpm you want at cruse
add you rear end ratio
you get the MPH for that set up.

 

Are you running such small tires to get low? That is a very small tire, with a low load rating. You'd easily gain 10% switching to a 15" tire around 225/70.

 

Albuq F-1, It's for the style of build I'm doing. Yes it's a small tire but its what I wanted. It's just for cruising. Plus it will also be my daily driver. So I need to go about 70 since work is about 45 miles of fwy.

 

As was stated, the gears you have in your 8" are most likely the highest ratio available. 2.80-3.00 was a typical gear used in a 69 Ranchero. You're likely to find your only real options are to go with a taller tire or live with a screaming engine at 70. Is "style" worth it to you? Only you can answer that. Your current tire is about 10% smaller than the factory tire on the Ranchero.

 

There are charts on the 'net that tell rpm/mph but I've found that they are not all accurate. See "my caddy and I" on here and you'll see what I mean.