Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire gear ratio, rear axle in pick up

Can't help as I have 4.10's in my and my wife's trucks - both used to haul and tow - also get around some "interesting" country where there aren't even 2-tracks.

i can set up rear ends have all the tools to do it plus a jig to narrow danas 60s and chysler 8 3/4s

If you do much off road you will never regret the 3.42. Something around 3.50:1 is a good general use ratio. Bigger # for more pulling power, bigger tires, off road. Smaller for fuel mileage or higher top end, both of those is often theory, as someone posted you can end up not using overdrive or shifting all the time.

In real simple terms, if you are most interested in gas mileage, get the higher gear (lower number), if you are more interested in performance, get the lower gear (higher number).

You can't compare gear ratios from one truck to another if they use a different motor, transmission, or different size tires. All the different gear ratios mentioned in this thread mean nothing to the truck you are looking at unless they are talking about the exact same motor, transmission, and tires.

if you run a lift with taller tires go with 4.11s

Different sized tires????????

I did not know they made anything but 255-85-16. Doesn't everybody run those?

Since the truck in question is 4WD switching the ratio on the rear will require switching the front axle too.

yes it will

I'm pretty sure new trucks come with the same gears front and back no matter which ratio you want.

it depends if there running the same axle front and back

fords use to run a dana 44 up front and a 60 in the back

but im old so things might of changed.

While there's a lot of good information and advice here, I would agree with Idaho Shooter...with the caveat that you do indeed have a 5 or 6 speed tranny and you don't plan on towing. I had a GMC with a 5.3 and although it's a good overall engine, I found it rather anemic. That said, even the Lower ratio (3:42?) is not all that low-geared so I don't think you'll get hurt either way.

Go 3:42. If you can afford a new truck, you can afford the small gas mileage penalty to have a truck that is not a turd off the line or when crawling/accelerating/towing.

3.55

my dually has a 70 in back and a 60 up front.

A pickup might use different models of axles front and back but they still have to have the same gear ratios or you will destroy the transfer case.

no you are wrong.

He's buying a new truck. Gear ratio is an option he is considering. It's going to have the same gears front and back regardless of which he chooses. Trust me.

The ratio front and rear had better be damn close or you'll be wrecking parts in short order. Ford used to use 4.11s front and 4.10s rear and maybe 3.50 and 3.55s but really close. If you don't believe me put different sized tires front and rear and lock her into 4x4. Now go try to turn around in a circle and listen to the pops and pings.

To the OP, I'd get the 3.42 ratio on principle just because it's a pickup and you may want to tow or haul something. And it's not like they will be low enough to really have your RPMs up even at highway speeds. I prefer 3.73s for all around 4x4 pickup use but you will probably do fine with whatever you chose.