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4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:40 pm
by Dave Young
My Ranch Car, which is mainly used for off-roading here in the woods of South Jersey, has standard gearing in the rear. I’d like to gear it down some and don’t have another Ruckstell on hand that I can throw in there. How do you achieve a 4:1 ratio and does anyone have have a set to sell me?

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:51 pm
by walber
4 to 1 ratio is based on the standard 40 tooth ring gear and a 10 tooth pinion. All you need is the pinion gear, the top catalog on my desk is from Snyders and shows it as part T-2597-C for $179.95. Pick your favorite vendor, the prices and availability are probably similar. If you are certain everything else in the rear axle is good, you don't need to split the case as the 10 tooth gear will fit through the hole (unlike the 12 and 13 tooth gears).

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 6:56 pm
by Dave Young
[image] https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qn5mvJ8TbWu9qkz97[/image]

So, I just need a 10 tooth. Since I’ve never had this rear opened up, pulling it all apart and setting it up for the smaller pinion sounds good. Anybody got a good used 10 ?

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 7:16 pm
by Oldav8tor
They show up in the classifieds from time to time. That's where I got mine. I just installed it and appreciate the extra power.... you wouldn't think one tooth would make that much difference but it does. Driving down a state highway today I held 40 mph with the throttle in mid-position which is plenty of speed for me. I've put 30 miles on it so I'll have a better idea after I get more experience with it.

If you haven't opened the differential this might be a good time to do it. A friend of mine recently broke an axle and upon opening the differential discovered it still had babbitt thrust washers.

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:05 pm
by HPetrino
There's a 4:1 rear end in the Classifieds - Parts right now. Near the top.

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 8:08 pm
by HPetrino
The heading is: "FS Complete Hill Climber Rear End"

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2020 11:23 pm
by Susanne
I've had the rare opportunity of being able to drive T's with a number of rear end ratios... the 4:1 (44:11) makes the T a snappy beast, but your top end is limited. My Dad's Roadster (the one I took my driving test in) had a 3:1 rear end with a Ruckstell, so I was able to make that roadster "walk the dog", but you have to really understand the Ruckstell gearing.... My 15 touring is stock with a Hall Scott "pre-ruckstell" which I find I really like with a heavier car and living in the hills, but (and this is the biggie) if you don't know the shift sequence is: Low Ruck and Low Ford, High Ruckstell and Low Ford, Low Rickstell and high Ford, High Ruckstell / Hgh Ford, you won't get the optimum of that "4 speeds for Fords"....it will frustrate you.

I really want a good Muncie to give me a serious under and overdrive... I had one but let it slip away... but added to the 4 speed potential of the Hall-Scott units (whether Ruckstell, Perfecto, or others) you can run a decent power plant and have a car that can contend with modern iron....

But if I had a 4:1 with a hall scott rear end and a warford or muncie, I would own the road in my 105 year old car... and that makes me smile! Add a milled head, or better, an Overhead Valve set-up...

Watch out! --grins--

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2020 12:18 pm
by walber
Suzanne - 40 to 1's, Chicago (under, direct, over) and a Fronty. :) :) :)

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:38 pm
by Les Schubert
And if you really want to drive in high altitude hilly country there is also a 9 tooth pinion which gives you a 4.44-1 ratio. Might want to consider a limited slip (Scurlok) or locking (Bailey) differential!!

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 7:58 pm
by Gaslamp
Hi , I have a good 10 tooth pinion here (somewhere in my workshop) if I can find it I will post some pics , you can make an offer.
I am in New Zealand , would also need to get a shipping cost :)

Re: 4 to 1 gears

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:09 pm
by Dave Young
Thanks Dean, but I expect that the shipping cost would push the cost out of range.