weaker 2.3 or 2.5 with 3.27 gears

[bigmark303]

Anyone by chance have or ever have a 1995-1997 2.3L 2wd automatic with 3.27 gears or a 2.5L 2wd automatic with 3.27 gears?

Im curious to see what that set up gets for gas mileage.

I have two 98 2.5L automatic 2wd trucks with 4.10s. They get up and go but don't return that great of fuel economy (20-22mpg) for a 4cyl and my new highway commute for work. I used to have a 1995 2.3L automatic 2wd with 3.73 gears and could get 23-25mpg on the highway at 55mph. Just looking for anyones experience before I throw my 8.8 with 3.27s under a 1995 2.3L I just picked up. Id rather not find out after the fact that at 55mph the transmission is going back and forth between overdrive and 3rd.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Need more info, what automatic and what tire size. You're going to want them fairly small. Also, what average speed would you be driving?

I did see a Ranger once, that was for sale. It had a 2.3L and 3.08 gears on the axle tag.

It was also the most bare bones Ranger I have ever seen. No A/C, No power steering, No power anything, basic gauge cluster even (the one with fewer gauges than "normal"), Vinyl bench, stick, std. cab/short bed, 2wd, and these TINY 185/60R14 tires. And the thing was still a '97. So that high of gearing might be ok.

High 20's is about the best you're going to get from any "optimum" combination.

 

[bigmark303]

The truck I purchased is a 1995, 2.3L, 2wd, 4R44E, single cab, extended bed, 26" tire. Its basic, no power anything but steering. I removed the A/C also as I do every truck. I travel at 50-55mph mainly and don't have to keep up with traffic or stop and go much. Hills are my only enemy.

Id love to keep 25+ highway mpg and be able to cruise comfortably.

 

[Captain Ledd]

With a 26" tire it doesn't sound like that set-up will be too bad. Us 2.3L owners are already aware of it's slowness lol.

It'll probably get you pretty well into the mid 20's if driven conservatively.

 

[Mac]

I had a 2.5 manual with the 3.45 gears and it was worthless on the interstate and that was empty. Them little motors need some gearing, always have.
Dave

 

[Captain Ledd]

Oh I agree. I'm glad I went to 4.56 with mine.

But he seemed to have some experience with the deeper gearing with his other trucks and didn't care for it. So I tried to cater to what he feels he wants.

My mileage went up after I went to 4.56, but I'm almost always hauling something.

 

[bigmark303]

The area I am from isn't fast paced or a must to keep up with traffic. Having an underpowered vehicle is not at all a bother to me. I don't need any get up and go from this truck. The accelerator pedal doesn't see anymore than 1/8th the way to the floor while im getting up to speed.

As a strictly highway truck 50-55mph travel speed I would think 3.27s and the 2.3L could return high 20s. It also could work the opposite where it puts overdrive in an underpowered situation constantly hunting back to 3rd gear for power at that speed killing mpg.

Im interested to hear about anyone with the 2.3L or 2.5L having 3.27 gears in a 2wd with automatic transmission.

 

[Captain Ledd]

Well, did a few calculations. So here it is:

4R44E - 2.47 / 1.47 / 1.00 / 0.75
26" tire
3.27 gear ratio

RPM numbers don't account for true tire radius, so take them as approximations. Hopefully they'll be to your liking.

 

[bigmark303]

thank you for that. I did a quick calculation myself and came out around 1800rpm for overdrive(4th) at 55mph. According to your chart I may just pull a 3.55 8.8 from one of my 4.0L 2wd trucks. 3.55 just may be as low numerically as I can take the truck in stock form while still retaining enough power to not downshift on any incline.

1500rpm at 50 would be a definite downshift and mileage killer on any incline with 3.27 gears.