Gear questions

I have a few questions regarding gears. I just lifted my 2019 CMax and put on 35's. I want the truck to shift properly. What would I need to do to accomplish this. Where would I find some info on what ratio is correct for my application? Lastly, since they will be in there anyhow, would it benefit me to toss in an Auburn LSD? Any and all tips, tricks, and pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

I haven't personally had any problems with shifting after 35's on my 2018

 

Not problems per se. It just feels late and my speedo is off to boot.

 

Are you talking about re-gearing? Or just calibrating the speedo?

 

Regearing!

 

Thank you much!!! I am really still considering it due to the fact that they will be in there anyhow but like I said. Thanks for the info and feedback!

 

Screw the LSD and get an ARB locker, you can buy the compressor later!

 

The stock 4.30 ratio is fine for 35s. I also have it tuned so that helps with shift points. I had it tuned before the 35s but still don’t see any issues with it gear hunting.

 

I agree with you 100% that you want to regear with 35s. It will feel and drive so much nicer.

With 35s, the trans is kicking out of OD on every single slight grade as well as upshifting way too soon when driving normally. Anyone who says 35s with 4.30 gears is fine is either gunning the throttle every take off or has been running that size tire for so long they forgot how well our system was designed to work

 

I went to 4:88’s after 35’s because I too was having gear hunting issues. I picked up an LSD for a good price so I had that installed when they did the gears.
I definitely recommend getting gears as there is a noticeable difference especially when on the freeway and over hills/mountains. The LSD was a nice bonus because like i said the price was right. But if you off road a lot and cost isn’t an issue go with the locker.

 

These trucks have plenty of power runnin 35s on stock gears. If you need 4.88s to feel like you’re still stock maybe this is your first rig on big tires.

The ideal time to upgrade to a lower gear is joining the dirty seven club. Hell I know guys running 37s on 4.30s...without a tune...who pull TTs

 

Not my first rodeo. I ran 35s for years on this tundra before the current set of tires.

Ive never questioned whether the truck has the power to pull big tires or not. The matter is how the trans operates. The transmission operates far better in the stock powerband.

 

I think the real question for me would be... are 5.29’s to much for 35’s? LOL

 

I'm in the RED

 

Yeah it doesn’t take into account the transmission ratios. 529‘s would definitely be ridiculous for 35s but you know it would be awesome around town! I’m such a nut job though that I want to bump my gear ratios are just going to 33‘s. I think 4.88s would be fun.

Years ago on my 02 ram with a five speed and a V8 I switched out the factory 355s for 411 gears and a LSD. It was much better and didn’t feel too much at all.

 

At 65 mph the 2002 V8 is tach’n at 2100rpm with 285/75/r16 and 3.91 factory gears.

 

That’s a reving pretty good!

 

The engine sounds like its purring at 65mph. I get better highway mpg at around 18. City varies 11-13 usually. I guess it due to bigger tires.

 

I always felt like 2000 RPM at 65 mph was about right.

 

I feel good about it. Actually, I remember the RPM being closer to 2050 now that I think about it.

2100 was at a slightly higher speed. Flat ground and no winds.

 

I’m excited to see how my 5.29s are with my 35s. I will be going to km3 37s, but they are not true 37s either. Should be fun either way. Wouldn’t mind going to 40s, but I don’t have the lift for it. Both of my lockers have leaks and they have to fix that as well so not sure on when I get my truck back. Impatiently waiting.

 

I also have a pedal commander and a DAP tune. So this will be interesting to see how it all turns out. I’m also weighed down quite a bit with all my gear. With stock gears, tune and pedal commander it feels pretty good, but going up hills it struggles a bit. I remember how fast the truck felt stock going up hills and the tune and pedal commander help, but it’s definitely not the same.

 

Look, I’m not saying 4.88s wouldn’t be ideal with 35s. All I’m saying is you don’t HAVE to have them. This is the reason I refuse to bump up to 37s even tho I have the room for them.

 

I agree. With this. Its like the difference between cloth seats and lexus leather. Both work, but one feels a hell of a lot better.

I will say though, transmission life is improved with gears because less downshifting is heat and heat is bad. How much life is saved is debatable since these transmissions seem to be extremely strong

 

I’m running 4:88s with 34s drives so much better

 

I routinely run at around 2k when I cruise at 70-75mph. My trans shifts smoothly and only downshifts uphill when it’s an abrupt grade or sustained.

 

For me it all comes down to the area you live in. If you live in Bay Area or in California you are subjected to big hills and mountains that your truck with 35s will struggle going up them. Your transmission hates you for it without gears. Especially if you are loaded up with camping gear. The elevation alone kills your power on top of the weight and larger tires. Now if I lived in Florida where there isn’t a hill in site, then I wouldn’t even care. Shit I could probably get away with 37s and have no issues. Just my two cents and experience living around these long hill climbs. To each their own.

 

I’m talking about mammoth area when I talk about elevation. Those uphill climbs are brutal with all my overland gear.

 

You must be in 5th gear then and not getting into 6th. I am running 4:88 and am at 2k when going 70