4.88s

[texan79&96]

would the pinion in 4.88s be to small for the 44/9" ? if those gears with a c6 and a 205 on 36" swampers could still have a decent low range i might put off the doubler till later and put that $1000 to tires or somethin. i really wanna get rid of the all wheel drive but dont want to convert the 203. also with a 35 spline 9" do the bearings get small enough to become a problem? what locker would be good in front for a play truck?

 

[Ziggy]

If you install 4.88s, you will have to change the pinon to match the ring gear (they come as a set). You will have to buy a new carrier as the stock one (3.50s) will be to small I believe. You won't have any highway speed, so join granny in the slow lane. With your 36" tires, this will give you plenty of low end power/torque. As for the 203, it will hold up and is still a strong transfer case able to handle the 36s. The rear axle bearings in the '79 are bigger bearings and will be GTG. Early Bronco's had the smaller axle bearings and can be a problem. As for your front locker, what kind of playing around are you going to do? This will dictate a lot, you may just need a locker in the rear. I run 33s on 4.11 gears and a locker in the rear and have been quite happy with it. The trails I run have more rocks then mud, so this set up works good for me to push me up and over.

 

[texan79&96]

with the gears i was talkin about how the pinion gear gets porportionally smaller to the ring gear as the ratio gets lower-the pinion gear in a 4.88 gearset will be smaller than a 3.50 set. i was wondering if it will get to small in a ratio this deep for the half ton axles. with the bearings if go from 31 spline to 35 spline (bigger diameter) the bearings will have to become smaller. i was wondering if anyone has had any problems with the 35 spine axles?

 

[bigbad79]

i put 4.88's in my 9'' with no problem. i had 3.50's in it before and it went together without a hitch. the 35 spline axles i think wouldnt be a problem. give broncograveyard a call and ask them what size bearings come in a complete 35 spline third member, then you know.