[Merk]

After getting my 31's recently, my gearing is obviously compleatly stuffed, so I've finally saved up enough money to get some some reduction gearing for my 1.3 sierra. Only thing is i still cant decide between the 4.16:1 or the 6.5:1 gears. Just after some advice from zook owners who run 31"s with either of these gears, particularly in regard to highway driving, towing and general offroad.
The main points pushing me away from the 6.5's are that it might just be too low, particularly because i often tow my tinny about 30ks on the highway and dont want to use fifth gear. I imagine this would restrict me to about 70-80 in fourth gear without over-reving the motor.
Ideally i would like the 4.9's, but i cant justify spending an extra $100 on a lower ratio lol. So i am then pushed towards the 4.16's. Does anyone have these, and how is the low range reduction?
I also do quite alot of sand driving and cant imagine the 6.5's being too good in the sand? I know this stuff has been asked a million times, but if you can be bothered, please offer some advice.
Thanks, Mark

[31zook]

6.5 for rocks and 32+ tyres. I could do about 80kms at 3200rpm on 31s and it would still pull from 5th. I would be happy to tow stuff with a 1.3 and 6.5s it just means your more setup for it... beaching on 6.5s with 31s is easier than 31s with a 1L case... Never ran the lesser reduction so can't tell you...

also shep towed a tinny around the NT so he might be the wises of us all

JMHO hope that helps

[shep]

6.5s are the go. some people whinge about low range being to low however they
seem to forget that there are 5 gears in the g/box. mine does 100kph at 3600rpm and when i put the 1.6 in my
swb i could sit on 100kph comfortably when towing.

[shep]

i origanally ran a 1ltr trans case but a kombi overtook me on the highway so that prompted me to lower the
gearing farther and the 6.5s completely transformed the car.

[Bruce]

Calmini 5:14:1 I run in Casper with 31's Love it works great.

[Merk]

Haha i know how you feel shep, got overtaken by a lada towing a box trailer full of shit the other day and that hurt. Thanks for the info on the gears guys, i'd say i'll just go for the 6.5's. I'll probably get bored of my 31"s one day anyway and want to upgrade.

Do you tow in fourth or fifth shep?

[shep]

5th mate, unless the revs drop below 3000.

[lump_a_charcoal]

Go for the 6.5s.
They have a life time warranty too!

I have 6.5s, 3.9 diffs and 31s, plus a tired 1.3 motor - I zip around just fine, and can tow by 7x4 box trailer in 5th easy.

[jamhic]

Go the 6.5s, I recently got them and was worried they would be too low (I only have 30s on at the moment) but it makes the car so much more drivable on and off road.

[mcwilly]

I tow a 6x4 box trailer with 31 and 6.5s goes good except when a big load. I love 6.5s.near Impossible to get bogged on the beach

[jdk81]

I run 6.5:1 and 32" pedes for off road.

With the pedes on, the gearing is almost spot on again.

Use a gearing calc to work out your speeds.
http://www.lepayne.com/gears.html