cheers for the replies chaps

so we actually 'underdrive' the front diff, i.e the bigger pulley on the front prop, small pulley on the VC, hence slowing the front diff down ? does that make sence ???

bernie , iknow the step offs i have are 3.9's but always thought that the larger gear was to go onto the VC until i looked at it properly then realised it couldnt

the actual ratios im hoping to use on this drivetrain are

front - std ( 3.62:1 ?or is it 3.64:1 )
rear 4.55:1

so 4.55/3.62 = 1.257

so if i have a 32 for the VC , and i have a 26 for the front prop (assuming i can get a chain to fit )

32/26 = 1.231 (pretty close ?)

differance in front/rear 1.257
differance in step offs 1.231
= 0.026

that will sort me for the 4.55:1 rear on the step offs