axle gear ratios

My '56 differentials both have tags under a cover bolt that say 43/8. Does this mean they have 438 gear ratios? Never heard of 438.... 488 and 538 yes, but not 438.

 

Ok, help me out here, I'm "challenged", ya know. 43 divided by 8 is 5.375, so this means I have 538 gears, correct? This is good, yes?

Sorry, but all things axle related are the "great unknown" to me. Never worked on one.

 

if you like 45 MPH and crawling over everything including that hummer that is stopped at the red light. if you like hiway speeds, then you need either an overdrive stuck in the dana 18, or a 5-6 speed tranny, or higher gears (or a motor that revs 12000 RPM.)

if its a street jeep, dump the gears for 3.73 or so...if its a 4x4, then maybe they are desired..tow your rig to the jeepin site and wheel it..

or do a combo of things from OD's to 5 speeds or both.

 

with a 4 cyl you want those gears. i would get an od to make it drivable on the highway.

chris

 

I'm keeping the stock F-head, and plan on no highway driving. If I go anywhere far, that's what the tow bar is for. Just some 'round town stuff and exploring the Jeep trails of Colorado, so it sounds like they're exactly what I need. I'll slap on an OD from Herm, and I'll be all set.

Thanks all!

 

I have those same gears. They are really short even with the Warn OD and 33's. I still wouldn't change them out.

 

I have always liked 5:38s--but many old CJs with four cyl engines came with 4:27s I plan on doing 5:38s with a 225 V6 and 33s for tires.

50 mph without an overdrive --- 60 max with an overdrive.

 

We all know what my driveline is and I have zero problems at 60 mph. I've never taken it to 70mph, but I have never had the need to. Sure, an OD would be nice but that $800+ could be used for things you find more important. That's just a humble opinion from a guy that spends most of his waking hours in the corner