Another basic question:

[Nima]

Hello all;
I don't know if this has been discused at this level, if it has please direct me to it, if not please through some light here. For somebody like me with minimal knowledge, would you explain the relation between different gear ratio with towing, tire size, gas milage etc. What are the limitations when you decide what gear ratio is best for you use. sorry if it is too basic.
Thanks and hope everybody is having good weekend.

[ckhd]

Well, generally, the lower the gears (higer number), the more multiplication of power.

What this translates to is lower gears means you can pull heavier loads, accellerate faster, use bigger tires, that sort of thing. The downside to low gears is that it means your engine turns faster to achieve the same speeds. That means lower mileage.

Personally, I feel that 3.73 gears are the best compromise for me, at least with my four wheel drives. It gives me liveable RPMs at highway speeds, OK mileage, and OK towing and four-wheeling. That is with 31-33 inch tall tires.

If I was building a purpose-built vehicle, it probably wouldn't have 3.73s. If I was building a pickup for mileage, it would have 3.54s or 3.07s. If I was building a rock crawler, it would have as low of gears I could find. If I was building one to pull big heavy trailers, it would have 4.11s or 4.57s and a big block. It all depends on application.

[Nima]

Thanks. I can undrestand that!