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Dstrahm's avatar
Dstrahm
Explorer
Aug 27, 2016

Change Differential Gears to new Ratio?

Has anyone changed the differential gears in their MH to a different ratio? Our 1999 Brave is geared way too low for how we use it and my thought was that I'd get better mileage with a higher ratio. Now at highway speeds the engine is running around 2000 RPM and it has enough low end torque to pull stumps easily. I'd gladly trade a slower acceleration off the light for better gas mileage and a quieter running engine. The axle is a Dana model, 80 I believe.

Thanks!
  • Go to a gear shop and price the replacement with labor and then figure out if you will put enough miles on it to ever pay for it.

    Bill
  • It can be done but is not cheap, any mileage gains would never offset the cost. Your engine speed sounds about right for a gasser, any lower the transmission will be constantly down shifting.