Ok - I just put $500 into new tires, so I guess I need to go all the way...My 1994 Bronco (351W, E4OD, Jacobson Ultra ignition, 6X Edelbrock IAS, 3 inches of body & 33X12.50 Kellys) needs gears front & raer - they are currently 3.55 Limited Slip in the Ford 8.8 Rear and 3.55 in the Dana 44 up front...

I want to go to 4.56, but am not sure whether to go with full Detroits in the rear (would cost a few hundred more but eliminate the need for a new $200 gear case) or EZ Lockers...What about up front? This rig will likely see a lot of snow action (I volunteer in the winter to get nurses and Dr.s to the local hospital), and a little trail action...but it will also see 10-13,000 local miles each year!

What do ya think out there?

 

Oh, and also - Does 4.56 sound right? I LIKE the speed (but have a 98 Mustang GT if I get TOO big a hankerin) and would hate to lose HP or "gitty-up" on this big horse if 4.10s would have been sufficient!

=)

 

With the 33's i would recommend the either 3:73 or the 4:10. i think the the 4:56 will get you geared to low for the road. The true detriot lockers are always there needed or not, so it depends on your off roading needs. If you go Detriot you will need to keep in mind the axle strength will also be challenged. A limited slip would be good in the snow.


>Ok - I just put $500 into
>new tires, so I guess I
>need to go all the way...My
>1994 Bronco (351W, E4OD, Jacobson Ultra
>ignition, 6X Edelbrock IAS, 3 inches
>of body & 33X12.50 Kellys) needs
>gears front & raer - they
>are currently 3.55 Limited Slip in
>the Ford 8.8 Rear and 3.55
>in the Dana 44 up front...
>
>I want to go to 4.56, but
>am not sure whether to go
>with full Detroits in the rear
>(would cost a few hundred more
>but eliminate the need for a
>new $200 gear case) or EZ
>Lockers...What about up front? This
>rig will likely see a lot
>of snow action (I volunteer in
>the winter to get nurses and
>Dr.s to the local hospital), and
>a little trail action...but it will
>also see 10-13,000 local miles each
>year!
>What do ya think out there?

 

 

Your truck has good power and your tire selection is not monstrouse,I would definitely go with 4.10:1 gears.However if you start to get the big tire off road bug and decide to go to even higher lift kits and bigger tires,(and the Broncos with the 351 are a great truck to do it with)then you may wish that you went with the lower gears. the EZ lockers are nice because they are affordable and VERY EASY to install,but it ends about there.They are very noisy when engaging and disengaging they are not super strong and they handle rather squirly on the road,(I just removed one from my Jeep).For the rear my first choice would be an Auburn Limited Slip,(if it is available for the 8.8).Then for the front a Spicer(Dana)Trac Lok,it has good road characteristics,or a Detroit Truetrac.With that combo you would have GREAT snow and mud traction and still handle well durring normal driving conditions.With the tires aired down it would be a very potent off road rig. As you are probably aware there are set ups for the front and rear that are more aggressively locked,but they are hard on tires and can be be poor handeling on the road. They are all expensive,by the time you finish with ring and pinions,lockers,instalation kits,etc,your $500.00 tires are gonna seem like the cost of a good set of spark plugs.Dont forget high strength U joints,axles and bearing up grades. Later,
Jeff
91 F250 4x4,(locked and loaded front and rear)