I am going to install a 4" lift kit on my '86 Land Cruiser on Saturday to run on 35" tires. I was planning to change my stock gears (3.70) to 4.88 gears until I read several articles. They mentioned that I should decide what engine I will use which will affect the gear ratio. Obviously, my 2F (I6 with measly 135 HP)engine will be swapped for a Chevy V8 in a year or so. I don't want to waste $$ changing the gears again. Your recommendations? Thanks!

What reason wouldn't you run 4.88s with the V8? do you do a lot of street driving?

Are you keeping the stock 4 speed tranny? If so, you may consider some 4.11's for an "overdrive" effect so you can enjoy it on the road.

The 4.88's will be a bit lower with the 35's than your 3.70's and your 29" stock tires were.

I ran 36's and 4.88's and liked the combo.

All the way to 38's, my 4.88's seemed OK.

When I went to 42's the 4.88's seem a little high for the road.

CHARLY: I will do mild wheeling with my FJ60 and I am concerned about the decreased sturdiness of 4.88 gears.

WNGROG: I plan to use either a 5-speed tranny or an auto to go along with the V8.

Wonder if 4.56 gears would be a good compromise? Will never go bigger than 35" tires on my FJ60.

I will definitely run on 38" tires with my EB. (To cure my STS - Small Tires Syndrome.) :D

Originally posted by X-Scott
CHARLY: I will do mild wheeling with my FJ60 and I am concerned about the decreased sturdiness of 4.88 gears.

WNGROG: I plan to use either a 5-speed tranny or an auto to go along with the V8.

Wonder if 4.56 gears would be a good compromise? Will never go bigger than 35" tires on my FJ60.

I will definitely run on 38" tires with my EB. (To cure my STS - Small Tires Syndrome.) :D

Yeah you wont go bigger than a 35.......right.....
Just plan on 36+ tires now!

Listen to Nolen, he knows his stuff.
The important issues are to project what
1. final engine size and horsepower are to be. Remember, the higher power rating of your engine, the taller gears you can get away with.
2. decide whether you're going with a 1:1 top gear or an overdrive trans. Automatics allow you to run taller gears because of the slip factor of the TQ converter.
3. decide what your "EVENTUAL" tire size will be.
It's all related to what gear ratio you pick. With a
GM V8/1:1 trans/35-36's, 4.11's would be a fine choice.
GM V8/ OD auto/35's, 4.11's would still be good, but 4.56's would be better.
same combo with 38-39's, 4.88's would be good.
All these have a "steet use also" factor to them. If you tow, trailer or it's a dedicated off roader, hey, 5.13's and 39.5's. Of course, I'm not too sure the stock Burfield front end could handle all that.
regards, as always, jefe

with 35's 4.56 seems like a pretty good ratio for street/trail driving