Is Stock OK?

[asgmkg]

So fellas...I have this 88GW with absolutely no rust but a tree fell on the back tailgate window. That is no biggie cause I have set my mind to chopping the roof off. But I am wondering if I could get away with 31's or bigger with the 2.73 gearing. I am pretty sure that is what I have cause the wag is not set up for towing. I have no plans for rock crawling...just want to lift her and use her on the farm (well maybe a fire trail but nothing worse than that).

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Haha did you get the wag off craigslist I think I saw it on the Memphis list i think. My 88 has no problems turning 33's but I have no idea what the gearing is. But I am fairly sure mine came from the factory with a towing package

[thechier86]

ha i almost bought that one, too! that's great.... yeah, you can do stock gears. maybe try to get a little more power from the motor and it will help with that. i wouldn't drive it memphis to nashville much with stock gears and 38's or something, but i do it all the time with stock gears and 32's.

[asgmkg]

32's is what I had in mind with a 4 inch lift. I am not sure but I think ya had 2.73 if your wag did not come with a tow package.

[thechier86]

mine has a tow hitch, but i don't know if it was factory or not. i haven't even checked to see what my gear ratio is, but i'm fine with 4" and 32's, and have even outrun a couple of rice burners with the stock carb and everything.

[jdaniel83]

My '89 has a 4" lift, 32" tires, and had the 2.72 gears when I got it, and although it drove just fine it was no speed demon. It didn't like hills or a head wind very much, but I drove it that way for about a year before I installed the 3.73 gears and it did ok. I wouldn't plan on towing anything or racing anyone but if you are just going to drive it around the farm you should be ok.

[asgmkg]

Most excellent... ya'll welcome on my front porch anytime.

[Serious Johnson]

Boy, I don't see how anyone could speak favorably of those 2.73s, even with stock-size tires on the highway. 3.31s with the slushbox would return better fuel mileage overall, and 3.73s wouldn't be a stretch with 32s. When mine had 2.73s with stock transmission & tires I could never find the right gear anywhere -- felt like the poor thing was always fighting itself. Went for a ride in one so equipped today, but with 30" tires, and it reminded me of just how grim it was.

S.J.

[jdaniel83]

Oh I will say that my 3.73 gears were quite an upgrade and made all the difference in the world. I even got better gas mileage (in the city it went up almost 2 MPG). But for what he is looking to use it for I think the 2.72s will work ok. And not to hijack the thread but I was wondering if the gearing was 2.72 or 2.73. I know there's not really a difference but the tag on mine said 2.72 but most people say 2.73 instead. Just curious as to what the ratio actually is.