Regearing for 35's

[swooshdave]

You probably won't even notice the gearing on the road. The 10sp will find the right gear and it has a LOT to choose from.

There might be a slight different on the trail as you want the maximum torque in the lowest gear. But you probably need to be in some pretty gnarly stuff before you notice.

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[Snacktime]

Agreed. "What you want to do with it" should be the first question, when determining the componentry (but often isn't).

Anyway OP, I think you can put some relatively low cost spacers on the stock springs if needed, and then you might need some +30 or so offset wheels, to avoid 35" tires rubbing? Otherwise for someone wanting to replicate all of Sas capability, then sorry to say you should have gone Sas, it's hard to beat for the cost/effort.

fyi, in case you think Sas is needed for off-roading, I off-roaded for years in the Rockies with open diffs and 31" tires, as did most of my friends, before buying elockers and all this other candy became a stock thing. (And we had no money, lol.) The photo in my signature, is me climbing slickrock at Moab, in my CJ-7 with open diffs and 31" tires.

Around here, you'd think people need locking diffs for their trip to Walmart. In reality you can have loads of fun off-road even on difficult trails, without all the extra stuff, if you're a reasonably good driver.

Not having lockers means having to think more about your line of attack. Some of the most fun vehicles I have ever wheeled didn't have lockers. Rocking 35s open/open nothing a little wheel spin couldn't fix.

 

[dgorsett]

Another angle, try a nice light 33" tire. You'll be so impressed by the looks compared to the stock 30's you'll never notice the slight performance difference. As others have said the 10spd will find a proper gear.

 

[Evans67bro]

In a perfect world you would need lower gears but in the real world it will be fine. I wheeled my 67 bronco for years with 3:50 gears and limited slip with 33s then 35s. Pick the right line and you will be fine.

 

[Jhopkinson]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all of you responses. Honestly it will probably never be off road much, I don't really have the need for all the SAS functions, really just want the look.(That's why I was willing to drop it) We already have an OB SAS my wife drives, and I can't have my rig looking smaller...lol. I think I will get it, lift it a little and try the 35's. If I don't feel it's up to snuff, I'll drop down to 33's or 32's. Eventually I'm sure the aftermarket will have more options should I need to regear.

 

[M Redwood]

I have no issues with 35s on base especially with 10 speed auto it is very zippy for me. and off road you have low 4wd gears...not an issue imo

 

[M Redwood]

O. H.

 

[BroncoAZ]

If you want SAS then walk away and reorder. You already have one SAS Bronco in the household, so you’ll know what you’re missing.

 

[Jhopkinson]

O. H.

I O =)

 

[BadgerSix]

I actually preferred how the 3.73 drove around town with 35s over my 4.46 gears with the same tires. 3.73 seemed to build more boost when floored and stayed out of boost when going 50mph and slower. 4.46 seam to shift to early are luggy around town but are much better on the freeway.

After having both ratios I wouldn't worry about 3.73 with 35s. My tires are also on the heaver side.

I have a Big Bend (Not BD or SAS) with 3.73s. Do you still agree that 35s (lighter tire) will perform well. How do they do off road? Been pondering if I should go with 33s" instead.

 

[Snacktime]

I have a Big Bend (Not BD or SAS) with 3.73s. Do you still agree that 35s (lighter tire) will perform well. How do they do off road? Been pondering if I should go with 33s" instead.

Offroad the extra tire height is extremely noticeable on most trails. If you are between 33x12.5 and a 35x12.5 tire just get the 35s as the road performance will be very similar. Tire width adds a lot of rubber making the weight jump up. Now if you are looking at 285 70 R17 you will notice a huge difference on road since they are 10-15lbs lighter. Since you have open differentials the extra tire height helps make up for lost traction. Really the best set up is a 37 since it fits well and you can build the bronco to handle the tire size.

If you want good road manners the 285 70 R17 would be excellent and really no issue with the 3.73 gears. They work better with stock suspension and spacer lifts. I would look at some novelty tire sizes like 295 70 R17 or 305 70 R17 if you want something in the middle ground.

Its a slippery slope, bigger tires are a huge improvement but they add more parts to the build.

 

[BadgerSix]

Offroad the extra tire height is extremely noticeable on most trails. If you are between 33x12.5 and a 35x12.5 tire just get the 35s as the road performance will be very similar. Tire width adds a lot of rubber making the weight jump up. Now if you are looking at 285 70 R17 you will notice a huge difference on road since they are 10-15lbs lighter. Since you have open differentials the extra tire height helps make up for lost traction. Really the best set up is a 37 since it fits well and you can build the bronco to handle the tire size.

If you want good road manners the 285 70 R17 would be excellent and really no issue with the 3.73 gears. They work better with stock suspension and spacer lifts. I would look at some novelty tire sizes like 295 70 R17 or 305 70 R17 if you want something in the middle ground.

Its a slippery slope, bigger tires are a huge improvement but they add more parts to the build.

Thanks for the feedback. I will likely get a 2" coilover lift. How much gas mileage and performance issues have you noticed with the 35s.

All in all would you go 35s again or stick with 33s. Im close to a decision point here.
Thanks.

 

[beluga]

Depends on what you want to do with it. I have a Big Bend, non-Sas with 35" and it drives perfectly fine. As a matter of fact, I was concerned when I put on 35"s but truth be told, didn't really notice much of a difference at all. Car has 0 problems finding the right gear.

Same here. Just swapped to 35s if you’re worried just go with a lighter set up. Many ppl hate the tires that come with SAS but they’re pretty light. If you choose that and light wheel you should be fine.

 

[Snacktime]

Thanks for the feedback. I will likely get a 2" coilover lift. How much gas mileage and performance issues have you noticed with the 35s.

All in all would you go 35s again or stick with 33s. Im close to a decision point here.
Thanks.

I got 18mpg with 35s and 3.73 on a 4cylinder 10 speed Bronco with sport mode 24/7. Currently at 16.5mpg on 37s and 4.46 gears with a 4 cylinder 10 speed. I can tell you that you will buy gears and lockers pretty quick with 35s if you wheel. The bigger m210 front and Axles are cheaper to swap in than fix the m190.

 

[BadgerSix]

I got 18mpg with 35s and 3.73 on a 4cylinder 10 speed Bronco with sport mode 24/7. Currently at 16.5mpg on 37s and 4.46 gears with a 4 cylinder 10 speed. I can tell you that you will buy gears and lockers pretty quick with 35s if you wheel. The bigger m210 front and Axles are cheaper to swap in than fix the m190.

In your experience what is the general parts list and cost to regear a Bronco with 3.73. I have done the research and can't find one instance of anyone saying they actually did it. Others say the cost is too outrageous (How much?).

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