Gearing

[LowRanger]

Am thinking about fitting 33's to my 83 Rangie,but am concerned about the difference they will make in driveability.I have worked out all the theoretical difference it should make,but am interested in peoples opinion that run them.Only asking because after spending heaps on suspension etc,I can't afford to change gear ratios as well as new tyres.

cheers

[landy_man]

it all depends what suits you....put the tyres on drive it and see what you want....
might have to also consider axle and cv strength.... what tyres ??

[LowRanger]

I have a Maxi Drive in the rear already ,but the front is standard 10 spline.I am not worried about the driveline strength,just about the driveability with 33's.unfortunately I don't have any 33's to try before I buy.The vehicle only has 225/75/16 at the moment,but don't want to buy 33's and find the gearing too tall to drive,would rather get 235/85/16 in that case !!

[landy_man]

the difference between a 235 and a 255 is not much..the gearing will be tall and you will have to break downhill, but you will get used to it...once you can afford gears get 'em

[TuffRR]

Running std ratios with 33's with a LT77 (5 speed) pretty much makes fifth useless (with 3.5 at least) and makes down hill engine braking considerably worse.

[LowRanger]

Well luckily the 83 is still fitted with the LT95 (4 speed) and carbies !

[TuffRR]

Well luckily the 83 is still fitted with the LT95 (4 speed) and carbies !

You got me there!

[SOLIHL]

I run 255x85x16's on my rangie with LT95 and they are fine if its an early one with the low high range gearset. If it a 1:1 high range it may struggle with the 3.5
I have a P76 in mine which has a lot more torque and i find with 33's and the lower high range gears i could still do with another gear for the highway stuff. I'm doing 2600 at 100kph on 33's. Off road in low box the largers tyres do speed you up a bit but the 4:1 first will still give you a low enough crawl gear for most situations.
Kevin

[Bodge]

I went up to 34's with the LT95 and its great for open road cruising - I could still do with a fifth gear though... The only thinng I noticed was a few more third gear hills...

Don't care about low 1st - hasn't made that much of a difference - still better than an auto...

[LowRanger]

[quote="SOLIHL"]I run 255x85x16's on my rangie with LT95 and they are fine if its an early one with the low high range gearset. If it a 1:1 high range it may struggle with the 3.5
I have a P76 in mine which has a lot more torque and i find with 33's and the lower high range gears i could still do with another gear for the highway stuff. I'm doing 2600 at 100kph on 33's. Off road in low box the largers tyres do speed you up a bit but the 4:1 first will still give you a low enough crawl gear for most situations.
Kevin [] ........................................................................................................... Just checked the model of my gearbox,apparently it is a late type 4speed with the high range ratio of 0.996:1.I have already noticed that off road on any sort of incline in HIGH range when loaded that it is very difficult to take off from a standing start.So guess it won't make much difference to me,as luckily they made LOW Range :)

[Loanrangie]

I have the lower high gears in my 81 with 31"s and first is almost a waste of time, its good in traffic though i just take my foot off the gas let it idle along in either first or second gear !

[SOLIHL]

The high range gear set can be replaced and from what i understand they can be changed without dropping the box out, have not done this myself though. I have seen gearsets for sale new and second hand so sourcing them should not be a problem.
Kevin