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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Asbury030 on April 12, 2011, 12:58:32 PM

Title: 33s and gears
Post by: Asbury030 on April 12, 2011, 12:58:32 PM
Well today was my first voyage with my samurai since I've been building it for the past 2 years... Really enjoy the little thing but man is it slow... I'm lucky to get up to 45mph. My question is I have 33s on it what gears would suit it best? and they are re-geared through the transfer case correct not at the diffs?
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Asbury030 on April 12, 2011, 05:23:37 PM
How does 4.9:1 gears for the TC and 4.57 for the diffs sound, since im here in FL with all the flat land.
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: jamoffroad on April 12, 2011, 05:24:40 PM
easy 513 from front of side kick . junk yards are full of them by me they are $65 a punkin at pick your part...
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Drone637 on April 13, 2011, 12:28:13 AM
A 6.5:1 with stock gears in the diff should do you pretty well.   Be careful of going to low, if your thinking about doing both gears and a t-case do the t-case first, then the gears if needed.

I would run through a transmission calculator to see what combination works best for you.

http://www.solemnwarning.net/transmission/ (http://www.solemnwarning.net/transmission/)
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Merlin93 on April 14, 2011, 02:50:45 PM
Quote
... I have 33s on it -- what gears would suit it best?
and they are re-geared through the transfer case correct not at the diffs?

You can change both transfer case gears and R&P, although on a 4WD vehicle you must make both front & rear differentials' R&P ratios the same.  T-case gears are identified by their low-range reduction (e.g 4.16, 4.9, 5.13, 6.1, 6.5 etc.), although it's often the high-range reduction that really matters on the highway.
Changing T-case gears does not affect speedometer (in-)accuracy, althought tire diameter and R&P ratios do.  For best speedo accuracy, change  tire size and R&P ratios together. This also minimizes the additional torque stress on the T-case and its mounts.  True 33's are about 26% oversize, so ideally you would choose a R&P ratio that's about the same, i.e. 3.73 x 1.26 = 4.68.
The closest avaiable Suzuki R&P ratio is about 4.6 which would be a good match for true 33's. If you have a pre-'88.5 Zuk 5-speed with the 0.795 5th OD gear, you could even go up to the 5.13 R&P. 
Alternatively, you could mate a 4.16:1 T-case gearset with the ~4.6 R&P and be about right (in high-range) as well, and have pretty good low-range, the equivalent of 5.22 low-range gears all by themselves.   
If you put ALL the reduction into the T-case, you'll have to really reinforce the T-case arms and mounts, since it carries all the reaction torque.  There's a good article from Brent from Trailtough at: http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?view=article&catid=36:techinfo&id=60 (http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?view=article&catid=36:techinfo&id=60)
There's a good chart at: http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.php/suzuki/samurai/transfer-case.html (http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.php/suzuki/samurai/transfer-case.html) , but above 31's or so, you should really consider changing the R&P ratios in addition, if you don't want to risk breaking driveline components. Driving style will also have a large influence on your results.
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Jluck on April 14, 2011, 03:00:59 PM
change them t/case gears first.

and yes samurai t/case gears do lower high range too.

also if you (anybody) can find good thirds for 65 bones grab them up!!!!
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Asbury030 on April 15, 2011, 04:18:23 PM
Yeah That article really helped out thank you. Brent is actually the guy who told me to do the 4.9:1 with the 4.57 gears. Lets say I do the transfer case first and save up the money to do the R&P in like a month or so after the transfer case... Would I be able to drive it without screwing to much up?
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Jluck on April 15, 2011, 04:33:24 PM
You should be just fine.
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Asbury030 on April 15, 2011, 04:36:22 PM
So what your saying is I should be able to go past 45mph and not fry my clutch with just the TC gears? haha
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Jluck on April 15, 2011, 04:52:58 PM
In theory you will be able to go way past 45 with that set up it will just take a while to get there.(the higher -numerically lower- the axle ratio the higher top speed can be achieved). Yes it will be a bit harder on the clutch. Take your chances or wait on axle gears.I would do what my budget allowed.
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Asbury030 on April 15, 2011, 05:08:29 PM
Yeah im putting a new clutch in it this weekend... I had to take the tranny out anyways because the front input shaft seal is leaking so I figured I would put one in while I have it out. How hard would you say it is to re-gear the TC?
Title: Re: 33s and gears
Post by: Jluck on April 15, 2011, 05:25:40 PM
I've never done a samurai case but you will need access to a press more than likely. There are some great wealths of samurai info on here maybe they will chime in on Sammy specifics.