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gear ratio questions - I need the details


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I have an 82 Brat EA81 with a 4sp D/R transmission.

 

Does anyone know the gear ratios:

1st gear ratio

2nd gear ratio

3rd gear ratio

4th gear ratio

and

4WD low range ratio

 

I am considering converting to a 5sp D/R for mostly off roading. (and a 4inch lift with 27/28 inch tires)

 

What are the ratios for the 5sp D/R Transmission

1st gear ratio

2nd gear ratio

3rd gear ratio

4th gear ratio

5th gear ratio

and

4WD low range ratio

 

And are all the 5 speed transmissions the same with respect to the gearing ratios?

 

Thanks,

Gregg

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If you have the original trans, then I would keep it. The 81 and 82 D/R have better gearing in 3rd and 4th for a lifted rig. Basically, if you swap to a 5 speed, you will have the same thing, but with a useless 5th gear that you would not use. If your's was an 83 or later model, then I would have said go for it, but you have a rare year, and a slight advantage in gearing already. You'll be just fine with a lift, and big tires.

 

The owners manual's do not list the gear ratio's BTW. At least none of the 5 or 6 I have lying around do....

 

GD

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I have no idea if its the original tranny as I just bought the vehicle with 210K miles. Do you know if the 4wd low range is the same between the 4sp D/R and the 5sp D/R? I read a post that stated they were different but there seems to be a lot of opinions.......I dont know if any are really backed up by fact.

 

The main reason I want to know about the ratios now is that I am doing an engine swap on saturday (the current engine is pretty much dead). It would be easier to do a tranny swap at the same time. And I found a junk yard with a few 5sp D/R transmissions selling for a measly $80. I love junkyards. :-)

 

BTW......you nailed the biggest issue.......with big tires a 5th gear overdrive would be pretty useless. But if there is a better overall range of gears that is what I seek.

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That is great information! Thanks for the link.

 

Now for the question of the low range. I found a post that states

 

"80-82 has lower 1st gear but a 5spd dual range has a lower low range, 1.56:1 vs 1.45:1. 29s are going to be drivable but not great... Whether they are too fast for the trail depends on the trail, is it mountanous or flat? For flat Id say good enough. T-case mod is a lot of work but go for it if you got the time money and tools"

 

Can anyone confirm that the 5sp D/R really does have a lower low range???? And what are those numbers?

 

Thanks,

Gregg

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That listing is very confusing - it doesn't seem to have a listing for the 4WD tranny's - except the Brat. And to my knowledge, 82 trans were the same as 83+ except for 3rd and 4th gear - which are more like the 5 speed 3rd and 4th. I have both - an 82 in my lifted 84 wagon with 28's, and an 85 in my stock Brat. The difference is pretty noticeable in 3rd and 4th - for off-road it doesn't seem to matter much. 1st gear should be the same on all 4 spd D/R tranny's.... and if that chart is correct, then the listing for the Brat should be about right - 3.636. But there's no listing of 5 speed D/R tranny's in that chart, since they weren't availible till 85.....

 

Also - you should note that the 82 4WD cars use the 2WD clutch. So you will want to be replacing that with the bigger 4WD one, as big tires don't get along with the 200mm clutch disc. I found this out the hard way......

 

GD

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