Do the 87 trannys have different gear ratios?

[boostjunkie]

I have a 1990 Samurai that need the tranny rebuilt. Are the older 87 and 88 trannys diferent in regard to gear ratios?
Thanks

[DemoMike]

thru the first half of '88 they have a 0.795 overdrive (5th gear) (vs. 0.865 for '88.5 and later) , all other ratios are the same

[Edisonsteve]

the overdrive 5 gear change was made mid 1990. The older one is a better overdrive.

[skyhiranger]

Originally Posted by Edisonsteve

the overdrive 5 gear change was made mid 1990.

WRONG!!!
Refer to DemoMike's reply, he is correct.

[Edisonsteve]

Hey Skyjerk, 5th gear was changed in 1990.
read the link http://www.off-road.com/suzuki/tech/tiregear.htm

[DemoMike]

"The 1988.5 model-year brought the first significant changes to the Samurai. In an effort to improve the ride quality, softer springs and shocks were installed, while a larger front anti-sway bar was used to reduce body lean around corners.

The 5th gear ratio was reduced to improve highway performance,...."

from

http://www.off-road.com/suzuki/tech/history2.htm

[DemoMike]

here's another...

http://www.zukiworld.com/section_tec...ec_samurai.htm

[DirtJumper]

Originally Posted by Edisonsteve

the overdrive 5 gear change was made mid 1990. The older one is a better overdrive.

Face it. You're WRONG. it happened 88.5. Demomike is right.

[skyhiranger]

Originally Posted by Edisonsteve

Hey Skyjerk, 5th gear was changed in 1990.
read the link http://www.off-road.com/suzuki/tech/tiregear.htm

Nice job on the name calling, what are you...8

Thanks for the backup Demo and DJ, sometimes we just have to set these noobs straight.
Here is another reference to the 88.5 tranny change.....
http://www.izook.com/tech/faq/faq_history.htm

Edisonsteve, I'll be waiting for my apology

[DirtJumper]

http://www.zuwharrie.com/content/view/5/27/


BAZING!

[GeoB]

Someone said that the earlier 5th was better. It isn't better or worse, it is just different. This is just another place where we have opportunity to fine-tune the freeway gear ratios to match tires. There is a 7% difference between them. Note the the .795 is a whopping 20.5% over-drive! Most vehicles don't go that far with the over-drive. Sure, there are some 25% ones out there, but who is counting.

I am running 31's with a fairly strong 1300 engine. I have the 4.16:1 t-case gears, which do not quite correct for the taller tires, or of course do anything about the much greater tire resistance (roling, wind). I am running the stock .795:1 5th gear. I can pull this high of an over-drive but it isn't fun or easy. I can do 80+ mph with my .865:1, but only about 75 mph tops with the .795:1. I drive mostly freeway, and travel OK at 65 but have a little trouble with the hills. But it is fine at 55. I am turning about 3500 rpm at 65 mph.

The .865 makes the vehicle work a whole bunch better. Lots easier on the freeway. I changed it out, back to the .795, to see if I'd get better mpg. Not noticable. I would definitely use the later gear on a stocker. On a modified rig.. use yer judgment and calculator.

I am thinking of going to BFG 32" A/T's. If they are only 1" taller, then with the .865 5th, my over-all top gearing will actually be about 3.5% LOWER than now. This might make up for the increased wind resistance and rolling resistance, dunno. 'Course I'll suck up more gas too. <sigh>

This is an easy swap, no need to split the tranny cases, just un-bolt the 5th/reverse case.

[DemoMike]

Originally Posted by GeoB

...I am running 31's with a fairly strong 1300 engine. I have the 4.16:1 t-case gears, which do not quite correct for the taller tires, or of course do anything about the much greater tire resistance (roling, wind). I am running the stock .795:1 5th gear. I can pull this high of an over-drive but it isn't fun or easy. I can do 80+ mph with my .865:1, but only about 75 mph tops with the .795:1. I drive mostly freeway, and travel OK at 65 but have a little trouble with the hills. But it is fine at 55. I am turning about 3500 rpm at 65 mph....

good post.

I ran your combo and made the same switch to the lower 5th gear, worked well as you describe. After the 16V swap though, I switched back to the higher (0.795), possible because the "abundant" power on tap and I can cruise at a lower RPM...