I've towed with the 4.77s and 34s and it's not as bad as my 2.6 with 33s, but I put it in 3 instead of D. Personally because of how happy I am with the 4.77s and 33s, I'd get 4.88s and 33s. If I installed 5.38s I'd put on a body lift and 35x12.50s.

http://tad.grosvenor.org/gallery/94TrooperMods/CIMG1955

You can see that the tire does tuck behind the bumper:
http://tad.grosvenor.org/gallery/94TrooperMods/CIMG1948

-Tad

Another thing to think about is the difference between displayed and real tire size. My 33 MTRs were 32.5" new. Jeremy's (HCMPs) interco 33s were like 34" when new

Yes, not a daily driver...BUT most of the serious wheeling is a hundred to 1200 miles away (can you say "Moab"? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ), so highway capability is important.


At least with 5.38s I would have the option of the body lift and 35s down the road. And I definitely don't want to re-gear twice...


Yes, all of the tire sizes I have been using are from a generic Tire Size Calculator Actual sizes do vary a little from brand to brand and model to model.

Experiences:
oem 4.3 on oem 245/70/16 - lame - 10k
oem 4.3 on 265/75/16 - ok - 10k
oem 4.3 0n 285/75/16 - ok - except for the trip to Ouray/Silverton/Telluride(downshifts quite a bit, though the truck was fully loaded) - used for 50k
5.38 on 285/75/16 - always in the power band - @3k/rpm at highway speed - MPG sucks;not bad when gas was cheap - 100k plus on this setup and still going.....

IMO, stay with 4.56/33" combo, selectable lockers at both ends, ARB front bar with winch and the Calmini rear bumper and rock sliders. If more gearing is desired for off highway, get the reduction gears from Tera.

HTH

How bad was the mpg? Are you 5 speed or automatic?

I was thinking if I could squeeze 34" tires under there it would help a bit with 5.38s...


Yeah, I hear ya...it just really makes sense to re-gear simultaneously with ARB install, so I am trying to make that determination beforehand.

Steve: For a different viewpoint, I run 33s w/ 4.56 axle and a 5spd w/ teralow. Around town, I wish I had a lower axle ratio. Acceleration from a dead stop is a bit sluggish. Once moving, I'm happy w/ power. ON the interstate, the 33s are much better than the OEM size! I hated the high RPMs necessary to maintain 70-80 MPH. ON the trail, the teralow is awesome. I do not need anything lower. I just wish I could rig up a 2wd low setup to get rid of the driveline bindup associated w/ front lockright.

BTW< i think Francis spec list is perfect. I'd add DOR shieldz to his list.

Steve Auto tranny - mpg <=15

Mark Yea, shieldz or stinky link would definitely be a plus.

I think that pretty much sums it up.

I finally got a good on and off road review of my newly installed 5.38s, so hears my 2 cents:

Running worn down radial 33s it was great around town, great acceleration, revs a bit high on the highway. If you are taking 1200 mile trips, I would recommend finding some 35s to throw on there, rpms were around 3250 at 65.

Running true 35s, I think its perfect. Still a good amount of power, rpm is 3000 at 70 mph, and its awesome on the trail. Not as low as teras, but I don't have any complaints about the crawl ratio, it did everything I wanted it to.

I'm doing about 50/50 city highway, was getting 14-16 mpg with 33s and 4.10s, 16-18 with 5.38s and 33s, now 19-21 with 35s on 5.38s, so I'm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Speaking from the perspective of the passenger seat in Mike's Rodeo, I'm WAY sold on the 5.38 gear / 35-inch tire combo!

After what I experienced this weekend, both on and off-road, I absolutely can't wait to do the same thing to mine at some point in the future... And best of all, I already have the Tera Lows! --- The results of having them all together would be nothing short of ô <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> ö with a side-order of ô<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />ö !!!





AMEN!



IÆm Smiley, and I approve this message <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


Cheers! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
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There is no doubt that 35"s and the 5.38s work well together, and are right about at the stock final drive ratio when you look at my calculations above

In fact, I recall the discussions from when the Tera gears were just a pipe dream - ultimately 5.38 gears were decided upon precisely so people could run 35" tires and bring it back to stock ratio.

Now I just need to find out exactly what it takes to get 35s under a 93 Trooper <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> Anybody have this combo?