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DakotaDave
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2001
15:18:09

Subject: 33's = New Gears
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Running 31 inch to 33 inch tires can be frustrating when trying to go up hills or to get your truck up to speed in the Dakotas due to the massive loss of power. This is due to the High gear ratio of the stock Dakotas.

I have a 1998 Club Cab and when I lifted my truck and put on 31 inch tires I noticed that my top speed was 65 MPH. It was specially worse going up hill, so much so that it was frustrating.

I asked a couple of questions and finally my troubles were answered when someone suggested I switch Axle gears.

My Dakota came with 3.92 ratio gears. its great for highway and saving gas on stock tires.
when I put on 31 in all terrains the tires took more surface and were bigger and heavier creating a power loss.
I switched to 4.56 gear ratio. This was the actual gear ratio recommended by the gear manufacturer for my zize tires. Actually I whent ahead and put on 33 in Muds because it was the recommended tire size for my new gear ratio.
All my troubles were answered. My truck was responsive and had gained power....... I had more power now with the gears and 33 in then before I even swapped tires and gears.
I also when ahead and put a Dana Track Lock, which gave me true Possy traction. (Locked my rear axle) This give me supreme traction off road. Not to mention I can squeel those new 33's like a pig.....

to view pics of my truck and other mods visit

http://home.elp.rr.com/dodgetrucks/index.html


Dakota Dave.



Blizzard
*GenIII*
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11/26/2001
17:00:22

RE: 33's = New Gears
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"when I lifted my truck and put on 31 inch tires I noticed that my top speed was 65 MPH."

That was a typo, right? Top speed was 65?

'01 QC 4x4
5.9L, 3.92 LSD, loaded
http://shakin-notstirred.tripod.com

TallQuad
Dodge Dakota


11/26/2001
17:26:03

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Ouch!! Is that a V6?? I have 33's and 3.92 with a 4.7... top speed is about 110mph. 65 seems REALLY bad?



2THEXTRM
Dodge Dakota
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11/26/2001
21:48:36

RE: 33's = New Gears
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I have 3.55's and plan on adding some 33's real soon. I have been pondering the fact that I will be losing power and gas mileage going from 31's to 33's with gearing being the best way to correct. How much could I expect to pay to change out the gears to 3.91 or 4.56? I would probably do the work myself at my Uncle's Auto Repair Shop with help from his mechanics if needed.



DakotaDave
Dodge Dakota


11/26/2001
23:03:03

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Yes is true 65 MPH (actual speedometer reading) however I have been pulled over ....hee hee and my speedometer seems to be about 13 MPH slower...

I guess I should have been clearer, sorry I have the V6 eng and the gears really helped. Gears are your best friend.
so far is the best Mod for the money. I paid $350 for the Gears and $150 for posi traction (Dana Track Lock) installed it came out to about $700 all together.

I belong to an Off Road Club. and we all have geared UP to at least 4.56 (seems to be the magic number with 33's) some guys have the 4.88 but I dont recomend it ... makes your truck wind out fast...

if you have a 4x4 be prepared to buy two sets of gears front and rear. I do recomend you install possi traction, I live in the desert and I go and climb pretty much everything the 4x4's do. I get stuck where they get stuck. ...

If you need quick power and the ability to climb gear up and lock. You will really like the difference.

Dave



Zeke
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
03:20:28

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Since we are on the subject, I plan on buying a new QuadCab soon and was wondering if I should get the 3.92 gears as I do plan on getting a lift and bigger tires, 32" or 33" tires, later on. Has anyone noticed a change in RPM or power since they went to the larger tires? If so, what gears do you have, and is it auto or stick? Also, what engine?

I plan on the 4.7L with the 5 speed.

Zeke



Dan Gruber
Gen III
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11/27/2001
07:44:22

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Zeke,

If you're even remotely considering larger tires, get the 3.92's...$40 up front or $1000+ later.

I'm kicking around the idea of a lift and larger tires as well, thanks to seeing and riding in Hawkeye's truck last weekend...sweeeeet! So I did some math and 33's with 3.92's will be just slightly lower (higher numerically) gearing than my stock 31's with my stock 3.55's. Don't know if I will go with 33's or 32's, but I've got plenty of time to figure that out before I have enough cash to do the gears/lift/tires.

Dan
2000 CC SLT 4.7 4X4 Auto 3.55 LSD

Hawkeye
*GenIII*
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11/27/2001
10:18:58

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Just for the record, the taller you go in tire size the slower your speedo will read. You will be going faster than what the speedo says. I have 3.55's and 33's. I have ran this comob on every truck I have had. It works fine. As for milage, what extra you use on takeoff you make up for on the highway because the engine is running lower rpms. As dan can vouch, my truck has NO problem off road. Especially in soft sand which is one of the most taxing things to drive in. I do plan on going down to 3.90's as soon as funds allow just to make towing a bit easier on the tranny. My top speed is must faster than what I want to drive too. I have had mine checked by radar and with my speedo on 65, I am actually doing almost 75. Remember, the slower your speed is the less it will be off, the faster you go, the more it will be off. No doubt that 4.10's and 33's will pull like a mule but your gas milage will stink because you rpms will run so high in normal driving.

Dan, I STILL have sand in my floorboard! LOL! Also noticed a weee bit packed up in the rear bumper when rinsing it off the other day! Dang 2wd F150's!


'00 QC 4x4
4.7 3.55 LSD
33x12.50 Pro Comp X-T's
http://johnammons.tripod.com/home.html

DakotaDave
Dodge Dakota
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11/27/2001
10:49:02

RE: 33's = New Gears
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If you have a V8 then keep your stock gears and you shouldnt have too many problems. If you have the 4cyl or V6 then I do recomend getting them.

Since I put on the new 4.56 with possi I have gain more power and Im definately more responsive towing and in sand and mud. I live in the desert so I need that kinda setup out here if I want to go off road.

As far as my gas mileage it really did not change much.
I have a 5 speed manual before I put on the gears I couldnt use 5th much because of lack of power. I would have to stay in fourth most of the time if I was on the free way. Once I changed to 456 I was able to use my 5th gear again... so techically my gas mileage improved because I got a gear back that I wasnt able to use running my 33 Pro comp XTR's. Im getting about 225 miles per tank of gas.

Yes the speedometer does change I have a 13MPH difference at 65Mph. The faster you go the more the speedometer gets off track.



brucemoose2
Dodge Dakota
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11/28/2001
12:05:34

RE: 33's = New Gears
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ok, so the basic problem here is that you've got the 4 banger, right? I've got the 6, 33's, 3.55s, and a 5 speed. My truck runs along at 85-90 mph with no problem and there's plenty of power to go. Fuel mileage did decrease slightly. No too bad though.

'99 CC Sport 4x4



TallQuad
Dodge Dakota


11/28/2001
19:55:38

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Dakota Dave, do you live in Phoenix? If so, were you driving on Baseline today (Wed around 5pm)?? I saw a truck that looked JUST like yours and thought it might have been you, hmmm... I guess there COULD be other Dakotas runnin' around with 33's! but not likely. ;-)



DakotaDave
Dodge Dakota
 Email

11/28/2001
22:55:55

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Nope I live in El Paso Texas. I guess there are other 33 inchers outthere ... rubbing like me... lol... however the owner of Max Tire is working on a mod for me. The shop where I got all my mods done is working on a mod for my spindles to eliminate the rubbing.. I will keep you all posted ... the mod will be done this saturday hopefully ... I cant say much more than that... Hush Hush .. type of deal. If anything interesting comes of it I will post the results on my private message board on my site...





Kevin
Dodge Dakota
 Email

11/28/2001
23:13:48

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Zeke: GET THE 3.91 gears. I wish I had bought my truck new, that would be the best $40 I ever spent. Anyways, my 5.2 4x4 does just fine running 32" BFGs with the 3.55 rear gears. They work fine off road. If I ever need gobs of power, 4Lo is there. On the freeway it will go 75mph and 2,300 rpms. It helps the gas mileage and doesn't affect off road performance drastically. If any of you guys have ever been to Glamis, My truck made it up comp hill!

Kevin
'98 4x4 5.2,K&N,magnaflow,180 t-stat,IAT adjuster



kota4bye
Dodge Dakota
 Email

11/29/2001
08:41:29

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
Kevin,
I am going to school at 29 Palms this summer. Been told I have to go to Glamis. I'll be out there for eight months, so I'm sure I'll get the chance. Are you there often?

Mike J
99 5.2 4x4
Mopar PCM, QuickD TB, AirAid, Gibson Dual Exhaust,
32x11.50's, Smittybilt Nerf Bars




Kevin
Dodge Dakota
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11/30/2001
01:52:26

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Hey Mike, I usually go to Glamis for the big weekends. I am going on New years, probably president's day and Easter weekend. I live in Tucson, AZ and meet all my friends from San Diego out there. It is a good time. Saw some crazy stuff last weekend. Check this out, some dude in a new Silverado HD crew cab was climbing comp hill and accidently hit an F-150. The angry mob rolled the guy's truck down the hill (he got out) and set it on fire! I got there when it was burning. It was nuts!

Kevin
98 4x4 5.2,K&N,Magnaflow,180 t-stat,IAT adjuster,RS 9000s



YJ
Dodge Dakota


11/30/2001
15:00:58

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
456's are too low. My friend bought a set for his truck with 35s against my suggestion. Now he runs a ridiculous rpm on the highway. Great off the line and on the mountain but then ouch. I told him to go for 410s and now he's regretting. If you're running 33's or under, 355's to 390's are perfect. If you're running 35"+, go 410s or a lower ratio. My jeep has 373s with 33" Muds. Fantastic performance off-road, and still great performance on-road. My 4x4 dakota QC has 392s with 31's (stock), it's a friggin' rocket. Getting a lift with 33's aren't going to need a change.

Redmond, WA



TallQuad
Dodge Dakota


11/30/2001
15:50:29

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
Just some info, when I put 33's on with my 3.92's, it feels perfect! Very smooth powerband and it still has plenty of power. :-)



DakotaDave
Dodge Dakota
 Email

11/30/2001
20:29:52

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
Update....

Seems like my trubles were more than just gears..... I seem to have lost a cylinder... bad news for my truck...



YJ
Dodge Dakota


12/03/2001
12:14:23

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Crappy...Good luck with your truck, DakotaDave.



jmac
Dodge Dakota
 Email

12/06/2001
19:59:01

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
i have been reading up on your alls conversation and i pland to go the 3" lift way
what size tire can i run and how much will that drop the power and gas milage

i have a 01 4wd 4.7v8 with 3.92 gears

what should i do



steveaz
Dodge Dakota
 Email

12/16/2001
22:06:10

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
I'm with you jmac, I have a 2000 QC with 3.92's and 4.7. I want to put on 33 and a 3" body lift. Any problems anybody has noticed? Do I need to add anything to my shopping list besides the performance body lift kit and a gap kit? Anybody installed their's? Anything I need to be aware of? I tow a 3500# boat regularly, how will this affect that.

Thanks,

BTW, you guys have some great looking trucks Hawkeye, Dan and Blizzard.



YJ
Dodge Dakota


12/17/2001
21:11:52

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
jmac and steveaz,
You'll be fine with 33". Don't worry about pulling 4K either. With the 3.92's and the 4.7 you'll be a-ok. You'll lose 1-2 mpg and I don't think you'll notice too much power-loss. Unless of course you like to race your truck all of the time and want to continue with 33's. (Would be odd). :-)

I'd recommend the BFG Mud Terrain KM's.

Good luck!



koz
Dodge Dakota


12/20/2001
16:54:37

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
ok, so if I take my '00 QC w/3.92 LSD, give
it a 2" body lift, add 33" meats (replacing
the factory 31"'s), I'll end up with a 3.55
gear ratio, still be able to tow my boat AND
only need to recalibrate my speedo?

'00 QC SLT+ 4x4 5.9L 3.92LSD



xplikt
Dodge Dakota


12/21/2001
13:49:05

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Hey DakotaDave, I used to live down there, then I moved to Montana, to the northen border. Is it still as gross as I remember it?



ironworker
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE


2/04/2002
16:38:04

RE: 33's = New Gears
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Message:
go to 4wheel parts wholesaler to get cataloge
within is a gear ratio guide for larger tires.
such as 3.55 w/ 31's @ 2501 rpm's
3.55 w/ 33's @ 2349 rpm's
now: the chart is based on 1:1 65 mph manual
trans.(4th gear) auto trans will have higher
rpm due to slippage in trans and torque
coverter. w/ overdrive 15 to 30% less than
indicated, depending on vehicle.

may be on there web site, not sure. it's a good
chart. shows gears across top, tire sizes down
left side, rpm ranges within. kinda like a
multiplication table. three shaded areas
diagnally across. blue-highway, green-daily,
red-towing and power. check it out, will help
you find what YOU need!



bjlindsey
*GenIII*
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2/05/2002
01:35:43

RE: 33's = New Gears
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http://www.4wheelparts.com/tire_gear_ratio.asp

01 QC 4x4 5.9L 3.92 LSD
K&N clone, Clear Corners, Carbon Fiber Tails, Aluminum Billet 3rd Brake Light Cover, GTS Bug Guard
www.FreeGasForYou.com

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