35's Without Regearing??
 

Hello, hate to do it, but i'm bringing back the hot topic of regearing. I have a 1991 w150 with the 318 and a 3.5 ratio. I was planning on putting a 6 inch suspension and 3 inch body lift on it and running 35 inch BFG's. My first question is whether or not that I can run 35's w/out regearing and I do a decent amount of highway driving. If 35's arn't doable (which i suspect they won't be) would 33's be OK? I figure if I only do the 6 inch suspension lift, 33's won't look that unporpotional and will last long enough until i can afford to regear (only in high school) and buy 35's. Which brings me to my second question, how much will regearing cost me, and what do you suggest I regear to (assume mainly daily driver)? My other idea was to switch to a manual transmission when i regear and regear the manual (I really want a manual). Yes, it might just be cheaper to buy a truck with a manual in it, but I was wondering what it would cost to do the switch. Would it be unreasonable to do the switch, not the regearing, ourselves (me and my dad). I kinda rambled on, but any answers would be much appreciated.

i think it would be a waist of time and money to lift it and stick 35's on it if you don't re gear it. running big tires on the stock setup would put more stress on everything and make it seem even slower.

For comparison, going from a 30 to 35 inch tire would feel the same as going from 3.55 gears to 3.07 gears with the same stock 30 inch tires. With a manual, it wouldn't be absolutely horrible. With an auto . . . ? Slooooooooow. I suggest going to 4.10 gears with 35s. Use this http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html

Ok, thanks for the responses. So no 35's with out regearing (which i somewhat expected). But will 33's be ok, or are even they to big?

Lots of people do it, but again, its not going to be a speed demon. You'll notice a big change if you go more than a few inches in either direction. What is your stock size tire in the first place?

i am kind of wondering why you would want to lift the truck 9 inches and stick 33's or 35's on it. i am pretty sure 31's will fit on a stock setup and it would not take 9 inches to to clear 35's. if you do tons of hiway driving you may want to just leave it stock.

Let's start off with the fact that you are in high school still. Money obviously will be an issue. Use the KISS method - Keep It Simple Stupid. A 4" lift is relatively easy to install and reasonably priced. Fat Bobs Garage or Superlift comes to mind but there's more, do some searches. You could conceivably run 35's but there will most likely be rubbing on turns or wheeling (which you didn't mention). Usually in the back of the fenderwell is typical. I run 33's and have some rubbing there. I would consider 32's or 33's, again money being the issue and gearing. I also have the 3.55 gears and in Texas 70 mph speed limits are no problems EXCEPT in the hill country. Going up and down trying to maintain speed is a chore. Flat land is no problem, consider your geography. Don't waste your money on switching to manual trans. Lots of stuff to buy and change. Have a shift kit installed- more bang for your buck. I run an automatic and the kickdown function is critical esp. in the hill country. Low gear wheelin' was no problem. It is not a burnout king for sure. The higher you go in lift there is the need for more specialty parts. Steering, shocks, driveline angles, steps, swaybar etc. Don't forget to spend money on brakes esp. for safety's sake - yours and others. Hope this helps.

Thanks for all of the responses. I have 235/75R/15 on the truck. No i don't need fast exceleration, all it needs to do is get to 65. You brought up a good point Wolfie, 9in of lift and 35's would look kinda wierd. Not to many hills around here, so I figure 33's will work. Changing subjects, what lifts would you recomend. Pretty set on 6 inches, but might do 5. I want a stiffer than stock ride, but not extremely stiff (almost anything is better than the suspension now). I have found that the age of the truck limits the selection. Thanks for the previous and future help!

I don't know how much this helps but here's a general gear ratio chart:

Attachment 52214

With -
Yellow : Highway Driving, Good Fuel Economy
Black: Balanced, Daily Driver & Trail Use
Blue: Most Power and Towing, Reduced Fuel Economy

As for lifts... I'm about to put a 6 or 4 inch (haven't really decided yet myself...) on my 91' W150 - Have you looked into the skyjacker option? I hear rough country makes a good economical 4 inch option - http://www.roughcountry.com/dodge_4wd_70-93_pickup.html

Superlift 5" kit. Run 33's till you can afford gears. Good luck and post before and after pictures!