Crossroads..mod or upgrade?

Pskhaat

2005 Expedition Trophy Champion
Because 4spd can be had for a little more than a case of beer and a good song. H55f is sweeeet but the A44Xs are 4spd too, save oneself ~$2k in the process.
 

OneTime

Adventurer
A new tranny is way out of my league as far as doing the work myself. I was looking at tires to day while shopping and have been thinking about what Scott proposed early on, going with a 32" tire. It would save my a chunk of change in avoiding a regear.

I may have to do some serious commutting next year to Prescott, Verde Valley, Wikenburg and Buckeye to work paramedic shifts. Looks like a new 4 cyl is in my future and the 80 will be retired to once a week duty. I may let my daughter drive it back and forth to high school.
 

Hltoppr

El Gringo Spectacular!
Here's a pic of mine with 31x10.5s and the OME 850/863 combo. US spec 1992 80s were supplied OEM with this size tire and alum. wheels while the rest of world 80s had 235s with steel wheels.

65272841_6AR4X-M.jpg


-H-
 

upcruiser

Perpetual Transient
And for comparison's sake, '92 FJ80 with the same 850/863's and 33x12.50's.

026-1.jpg


I have stock gearing but would personally go to 4.56's if I regear it. The differences I noticed were more of a rolling resistance issue I discovered with my truck. I originally had 31's on it when I bought it. I swapped my 33x9.50's on from my FJ60 and it seemed to do fine on the highway really. In the mountains I'd have to hold the shifts a bit more but that was really all. When I went to 12.50's with the same mud terrains I saw my highway driving suffer more. The biggest issue for me was soft, deep sand. The taller gears really affected the torque at low rpms, I had to drive it with higher revs to really be able to get around. For slow technical trails, I've never had any issues with engine power or torque and felt like I was geared fine. Auto trannies really help you creep too, so that is part of it. I did an outing with H and his FJ80 in the San Juans Mountains of CO back in 2004 I believe. Anyway, climbing the grade out of Silverton up towards the trail head of Black Bear pass I thought the two trucks were pretty well matched with the tire size being the big difference between the two.
 

OneTime

Adventurer
Upcruiser Am I to understand right that you didnt see much difference between the 31 and 33's? I think a skinny 32" AT on a R 16 might be my best bet for my application.
 

upcruiser

Perpetual Transient
Upcruiser Am I to understand right that you didnt see much difference between the 31 and 33's? I think a skinny 32" AT on a R 16 might be my best bet for my application.

There was a difference, just not as huge as most assume it will be. My point was more that I noticed more difference going from a skinny tire to a wider tire then i did from going from a 31 to a 33. At least, as far as highway driving goes, that is what I'm referring to there.
 

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