Can you change the rear axle ratio?
You can change the axle ratio, and you can do it rather easily. Quite a few members here have gone from one ratio to the next. People with 3.21 and 3.55s are going up to 3.92 and even sometimes 4.10. A lot of the 4×4 trucks you see here with lifts and larger tires have gone with 4.10 or 4.56.
What does changing your gear ratio do?
Modifying the axles’ gear ratios changes the amount of revolutions of the driveshaft per each revolution of the wheel. Going to lower gears (ironically, a numerically bigger ratio) will increase the rpms of an engine (taking for granted the same diameter tire and going the same speed).
Can you change the gear ratio in a transmission?
And changing an entire gearbox can be prohibitively expensive. But if you want better acceleration (or more top speed), there is an easier solution to your problem: Change your final drive ratio. The gears within your transmission aren’t the only gears in a car.
What is the best rear axle ratio for towing?
The most popular rear end ratio in trucks today is the 3:55, which sort of averages towing power and fuel economy. This is a good ratio for the occasional towing or hauling individual. For a person who tows more often, and heavier loads, the 3:73 or 4:10 may be more appropriate.
What gear ratio is better for acceleration?
A lower (taller) gear ratio provides a higher top speed, and a higher (shorter) gear ratio provides faster acceleration. . Besides the gears in the transmission, there is also a gear in the rear differential.
How do you find the gear ratio on a rear differential?
Turn the wheel TWO revolutions and count the number of driveshaft turns. The number of driveshaft rotations will help you determine your rear axle ratio. For example, if it turned 3 and a half times, it’s a 3.50:1 ratio. If it turned 4 and a quarter times, it’s a 4.25:1 ratio.
What’s the axle ratio of a front wheel drive truck?
Front- or rear-wheel-drive trucks tend to include different ratios for the rear and front axle, while all-wheel-drive vehicles typically have similar front and rear axle ratios. Trucks with optional axle ratios sometimes feature a window sticker displaying them.
What’s the difference between tall and short axle ratios?
As a result, it’s best to consider optional axle ratios one automaker at a time. When considering axle ratios, keep in mind differences in terminology. “Tall gears” refer to numerically lower axle ratios, whereas “short gears” refer to numerically higher ones. There are several other things to consider when picking an axle ratio.
Why is it important to have an ideal axle ratio?
When driving a manual, numerically higher axle ratios make towing and acceleration easier from the start, whereas numerically lower ratios struggle to tow and accelerate initially but maintain a good speed on the highway. Every driver has an ideal axle ratio, depending on how fast they want to drive and how much they need to tow.