Need advice on gears

[disturbedracing]

Hello,

I'm trying to find out what gear i should go with for my truck. I bought it used and the person before me put 33x12.50x15's on it, and ive been told that without changing the gears that im loosing alot of power right there. Im sure that its got a dana 44 up front and a corporate 9 in the rear with 355's. Can someone tell me what size gear would be best for using those tires and where i can buy them that wont make me bankrupt?

1999 Ram Quad Cab 4x4 5.2 ltr

[RAM MAN]

while I'm not a SMA here (subject matter expert) I'd say your friends are right

using a Tire / Gear calculator

http://www.bncoffroad.com/tire_gear_cal.html
(this is one of several)

you should be able to tell

[Dom]

Here are some things to consider... With 33" tires and 3.55 gears, your final drive ratio is now around 3.41...too high in my opinion for your truck (and mine). Swapping the 3.55s out with 4.10 will give you the same final drive ratio as a truck from the factory with 3.92s and the 'upgraded' 265/75/16 tires.

One thing to mention, however, is that those 33/12.50s are much heavier and wider than the 265s and will take a little more oomph to move them.

From what I have gathered, most people like 4.10s with 33" tires and go to 4.56s with 35" tires. This is good for performance and keeps your rpms down while on the highway for better mpg. If you simply want performance, go with the 4.56s.

If you do decide to swap gears, be sure and spend the little extra and get a limited slip/trak-loc/detroit/etc... to go along with them if you don't already have a limited slip from the factory. This will save your tire and make it more drivable.

Check out Randy's at http://www.ringpinion.com for more info. They also sell gears, etc... I also hear the 4Wheel Parts matches prices...check them out. Expect to spend anywhere from $1100 - $1500 for front and rear. It's not a cheap mod, but most of the guys who swap them say it is well worth the money.

Thanks,

Dom