What Gear Ratio to use???

[mud_slinger70]

Whats everyone using for gearz out there.... I got a 89 V6 4x4 pickup with a 5 speed. I am going to be running either 35-36 inch tires... What ratio will be the best for me...I want enough power but also low enough RPMs in 5th fer highway cruisin to get half a$$ed fuel millage.

Thankz,
Buzzy

[fourwd1]

With 35-36" tires and a manual trans, 5.29s are the optimum ratio.

[85yotto]

5.29's are the best for that size tires but your HWY top speed is really going to drop. You could run with 4.88's and that V6 and get away with it but your MPG is going to be worse then with the 5.29's and it wont crawl as well with that big a tire and 4.88's. Once you get that big the truck isn't really a good hwy driver anyways and it gets pretty hairy to go over 65 to 70mph anyways. If your going to that size then 5.29's are your best bet because you will want to slow down anyways.