I need to buy my gear set now to complete the 8". I've been seaching past threads and 3.55s seem quite popular, any reason inparticular? I was thinkin that 3.80s would be a lil' low for semi long distances like to Reno and Back(about 240 round trip)but might be a nice set for when im just cruisin or at the track. any thoughts on either of these gears?
-Jesse

I would prefer the 3.80, but you are right. It will make for a buzzy trip to Reno and back.

3.55 won't be much better.

Since it's an 8" how about a 4.10 on a Locker for racing/cruising and a 2.75 on an open carrier for when you have to go long distances.

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I drive mine everywhere.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's

93 D350 Cummins THD Maxfuel 35mpg parts to hit 400hp+ Suncoast Cat2 A518, converter DDP Stage III injectors 62/64 HX35, 3 piece manifold, 4" Diamond Eye, Gear Venders OD. Stage I street/tow PDD head on order.

if you just want simple long distance gearing , try going to a taller tire .. you may be suprised at how well this cheap and dirty this trick works .. a 24 inch tall tire can be substituted for a taller tire in the range of ,say, 205 75 15 to change overall gearing to a much more road trip friendy RPM... the 3.91 ratio would effectivly be now around 3.50 or so .. 3.80 ? about 3.42.. and depending on you driving style engine make up etc , could realize a nice MPG boost.. Your milage may suffer if you are out of a useful torque range ,and the flywheel effect of more mass to accellerate or keep in motion will most likely mean a soggy response. however you ears and nerves should be less frazzled.. Just a thought

I have been driving my 72 dart back and forth to work, it has 3.75 gears, it is great in town, and I dont mind it on the freeway.

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Excuse me, does this smell like chloroform to you?

I have been driving my 72 dart back and forth to work, it has 3.75 gears, it is great in town, and I dont mind it on the freeway. I dont have a tach so I dont know what the rpms are. 904 trans.

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Excuse me, does this smell like chloroform to you?

Whats the usual RPM difference between the 2? if it's not such a huge difference maybe my tires will help make it more livable on a decent trip. My tires are 215/75x15 so they are pretty tall, what yall think?
-Jesse

You already have some darn tall tires there... My duster has a 24.5 tall approx tire and your's nominally should clock in at about 27.7 tall do alittle devision and you come up with about 13 percent difference... take a 3.80 and devide by 113 and get about a 3.36 effective ratio.. not bad for long distance and then slap on sonme short puppers and run the drags..

That is what I used to do. 3.91 gear and a 27 inch tall tire on the street. Get to the track, and put on a set of 22.5 by 9 inch slicks.

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Charrlie_S
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