Is there a way to tell what size gears i have in the rear of my truck, and to see what size my differential is?
I have a 98xlt 2.5l.... and i wanna know if its possible to find higher(or lower, not sure of the terminology for that, but i want the 4.11 gears i think is what they were)
thanks
Nick

Here ya go, read this thread (http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1713&highlight=axle+codes). It'll tell you what you need to know. I think the gears you're looking for are 4.10's, 4.11's aren't made for your axle. More than likely you have 3.73's in there now so going to 4.10's would be lowering your ratio. The higher the number, the lower the gearing.

example:
Higher<------------------------>Lower gearing
3.08 ------------------------------- 4.56 (Numerical ratio)

my axle code was

84 Regular 2700lbs 3.45

i have the 3.45 rearend... is it a 8.8 rear? or can i somehow swap out these for the 4.10 gears.. if so where can i buy them?
thanks
Nick

Since you have the 2.5L you have a 7.5 rear end. The 8.8's only came with the 4.0 engine. You can still swap your gears out for the 4.10's which will give you quicker acceleration but you will lose top end speed and a little fuel mileage. You can get the gears just about anywhere. Here are 2 places off hand: Reider Racing (http://www.reiderracing.com/) and Randy's Ring and Pinion (http://srd.yahoo.com/srst/16519542/Randy%27s+ring+and+pinion/1/1/T=1012450934/F=63d05cae2f9f59cc5ecc5f8abefd9f9c/*). I'm sure you can find a local place or in your nearest major city that has gears/axles etc.

ok so i checked out the gears for the 7.5 rearend, and well i found a 5.13/14 rear gear ratio for sale, tell me, would this give me extreme acceleration(compared to 3.45ish or even 4.10)? if so, how much top end would i loose? its not like i have any acceleration over 70 even now, i can hit almost 100 but i think i have a reg. or something, so would i still be able to make it to 70 or even 80 on the interstate?
thanks
Nick

5.13 with stock tires and a 4 banger would be hell. Probably 50 mph top speed, if that. If your on the stock size tires, I wouldn't go above 4.10s.