gear ratios

[JAKES 68GMC]

What is the highest gear ratio you can get in a 3/4 ton 4x4 with a Dana 44 front and a full floating rear axle. (Dana 60 maybe????)

[Erl]

I changed mine to 3:73 ratio with 33 inch tires. It was a Big improvement. I am putting a 700r4 in soon, so I will get overdrive. If you are sticking with the 4-speed then I would use a 3:53 ratio with 33 tires. You will need to buy new carriers.

[JAKES 68GMC]

I was thinking around 3.55 would be good for the V6. Could I get the axles/pumpkins out of a 73-87 Chevy? Are all Dana 44s and 60s the same width??

[1969 GMC]

are you planning on replacing the axles? or just gears?

[JAKES 68GMC]

Don't know yet. More research required.

[1969 GMC]

I believe 3.54 is the highest you can get for a standard D60. With the D44 front, you can get higher, in the 2.XX neighborhood.

Now would probably be a good time to get a newer front axle with discs, if you are wanting to do that type of mod. It would probably be cheaper to get a set of axles with the gearing you want, than to re-gear your existing axles. But that is just my 2 cents.

[qksilver]

I have a set with 4:10 and have seen them at 4:56, 4:88 and 5:13

[JAKES 68GMC]

Originally Posted by 1969 GMC

I believe 3.54 is the highest you can get for a standard D60. With the D44 front, you can get higher, in the 2.XX neighborhood.

Now would probably be a good time to get a newer front axle with discs, if you are wanting to do that type of mod. It would probably be cheaper to get a set of axles with the gearing you want, than to re-gear your existing axles. But that is just my 2 cents.

Yeah, thats what I was planning to do. I'd probably keep my drum brakes because they are essentially brand new and the truck stops quite well(plus it would look more original.. I'll have to start looking around for some 3.54 axles. They are pretty common in D44 and D60's, aren't they? Thanks for the help.

[b454rat]

I don't think GM used 3.55s. I've seen alot of axles, but not those ones. Not saying they don't exist, just never seen them. I know they make 3.42s in the 44 and 14ff. I think I read somewhere that a Dana 60 front with either 3.23 or 3.42s. But you can get any gear ratios you want. Dodge and Jeep both used them, and they have 3.50s and 3.55s. Not sure how low (number wise) 44s go, I have a set of 3.08 D44/12b.

[JAKES 68GMC]

Aren't all those axles the same width, or are they different?? Jeep axles would be more narrow, for sure.

[shelby987]

are you just looking to get gas mileage out of the 305?
You will always have enough torque to move those tires....high gears or not......might I suggest looking into an aux. overdrive....or maybe a torque splitter from advanced adaptors....once you are done buying the axles, and possibly swapping in the gears, the cost might end up being just as much.

[JAKES 68GMC]

Trying to get more mileage and the ability to keep up with normal cars on the road, without blowing a Grand-Canyon sized hole in the block. Just figured higher-geared axles would be the cheapest and easiest (finding a set that are matched)

I would think I'd have enough torque, I can idle it along in 3rd gear with no troubles.

[69gmcfleet]

My truck originally had the 4.56 gears in it and it had to be redlined to do 50mph. I no longer run the original V-6, now have 350. I changed my gears to 3.73 with new carriers. Now I am capable of 60mph at about 2500rpm. I went with the 3.73s because I plan on going to a 34 inch tire and I didn't want to ruin all my low end gearing and towing capability. I can still start the truck in 2nd with no load.

[JAKES 68GMC]

Jeff, I can start in 3rd with the V6 and idle around.

[69gmcfleet]

I can relate to that Jake as my truck was the same way with the V-6, and the '68 I just got is the same. Actually 50mph was probably stretching the truth!
These trucks were made to work. GMC's rule!

[JAKES 68GMC]

We've had it out on the road once or twice, and it would do 45mph no problems in 3rd,(and it wasn't turning that fast either, come to think of it) Maybe someone put higher gears in it back in the 70's to save fuel. I'll have to check that out, whenever I can get it in the shop.

[69gmcfleet]

My '68 has stock 4.56 gears. My small 31" tires on the '69 don't help either.

What are your plans for your truck?

[JAKES 68GMC]

well i'm not sure yet. I was THINKING about lifting it 4", or 2" with add-a-leafs and run 33's (285/75). Going to get it repainted again, Hunter Green so it will match up.Needs a new transfer case, the Rockwell jumps in and out a lot. Power steering, I gotta have that. I've got plenty to do to it, but it is still in nice shape. I need to get rid of some stuff to get some money to buy a parts truck.

[69gmcfleet]

I hope to get a 4 inch lift on my truck and 34's this summer. I am in the process of rebuilding my t-case, my shifting fork loosened up and I lost Hi range. Power steering is a plus, my '69 has it stock. I prefer the older hardware found on these trucks, that is why I got a parts truck, since it is getting harder to find them. Mine was also repainted the stock color. I prefer a stock looking truck for the most part. Yours has lots of potential.

[kwmech]

I have stock 3.54 gears in my 68 gmc 3/4 ton. ( 2 wd ) 3.54s would be the tallest matching ratio for the 60 and 44. If you look hard a 3.21 could be found for the front, but the match would be in a 14 bolt rear axle, kinda rare ratio for the 14 bolt but they can be found. 3.21 was a dodge 44 ratio in the mid 80s ramchargers

[JAKES 68GMC]

Another question....If I could get 3.54 gears from a Dana 60 out of a Ford truck, would the ring and pinion be the same for a newer axle versus a old one???

Would a 93 Ford F250 have a D60 rear????

[JAKES 68GMC]

Anyone know???

[Erl]

Call Randy's Ring and Pinion.

[Prerunner1982]

dont have any input as far as gears are concerned...but my dad has a 65 k10 with 283 or 327.. sm420 and t221 and 3.73 with posi.. he uses it to haul 2.5tons of water regularly... even with a full load he still starts in 2nd gear.. i love that old truck..