Gear ratio on Truck More the Better?

[chubbs1]

I am totally new to trucks and towing a boat. I was looking at a 4x2 truck one model has the option for higher gear ratio. What is gear ratio? Is 4x2 enough to tow 4-5k or do I need a 4x4?

Thanks so much and please forgive my ignorance in this subject.

 

[renegade_987]

My 4x2 F150 tows 9,000 lbs with no problem so 4x4 is unnecessary when only towing 4-5K

 

[Bill in Utah]

As someone who has had both a 4x4 and 4x2 if I don't NEED the front axle engaged due to traction concerns I'd RATHER have a 4x2 to tow.

Less weight for the total package and lower center of gravity. Better towing rig overall IMO.

My current truck is a 4x4 only because I need the front axle for going off road and heavy winter conditions.

Bill

 

[AandPDan]

A higher gear ratio will allow you to accelerate faster, and more importantly when towing, be easier on the rest of the powertrain.

You will pay a penalty though. The engine rpm's will be higher than on a vehicle with a lower ratio so you may find your mileage a bit lower.

For comparison, 3.55's are good for the highway, 3.92's good around town, 4.10's great for towing.

 

[qdeezie]

I think it comes down to balance and necessity. If it comes down to raw tow power, 4.10s is the way to go, but if you want balance, you got to come back down into the mid to upper 3's. Also engine horsepower plays into the equation some too. I have an older truck that has less than 200 factory hp, but my 3.55's serve me well when I tow. I've towed larger vehicles such as Cadillacs with no problems at all.

 

[edhackett]

What are the ratios offered?

3.73 is common and a good all around compromise. I personally would not get anything lower than 3.55, maybe 3.42 depending on the engine if I was going to tow. At 4-5K lbs, 4.10 would not likely be necessary.

Ed

 

[The_Jeff]

4.10s aren't the nightmare they used to be with (double) overdrive transmissions and engines that don't sound painful at 3500 rpm. Test drive and see.

Also gas mileage won't be murdered for the same load.

Check the door jamb sticker of what you're looking at for axle codes and what you can tow. I had a F150 with 3.2 gears that could only tow 2200 lbs, disappointing when the ads on tv say they'll do 9k "properly equipped".

 

[hattaresguy]

What truck are you looking at? I wonder if on the new 6spd trucks that 4.10's are really as much of a penalty as they used to be. In theory you have another OD gear to get the RPM's down so your not screaming on the highway.

3.73/3.55 is pretty common and a good compromise.

I don't tow with my trucks so I always get the lowest rear end offered. My Chevy has a 3.23.

 

[bullwinkle]

If you ever try to pull a heavy boat up a slippery/mossy ramp-you'll be wishing for (or glad you have) 4WD low-plus the lower ratio will make a lower ratio rear end easier to take (like my '06 Ram's 3.73-1 combined with 285/70R17s). I've pulled boats with high geared 4X2s-it's pretty easy to get stuck.

 

[123Saab]

I prefer 4.10 gears and a transmission cooler (for Auto's).

I have the tow package on my ranger and its good for 5k and some.

2003 4x4 4.0 engine, And it is a small truck of course.

 

[snapcrackle12]

4X4's have less load capacity due to increased weight.

 

[kelpie]

The 3:73 is good for pulling the boat up the ramp. A GM 4 speed auto has a low first gear and should be all you need. I have never had a problem with a 2WD truck on the ramps I use, but my boat weighs only 3,000#.

 

[SteveSRT8]

We own a few Silverados and the one we have with a tow package has a 3.73 locker in it.

It gets BETTER gas mileage in real world use! No highway at all here, all city and suburban, if we get on the highway it's only for a few minutes.

It tows better, it accelerates better, and it's tach is till loafing on the freeway.

I'm pretty certain that shorter gears don't harm much at all anymore, with all the OD gears in the modern transmissions.

 

[Rhymingmechanic]

Remember that a "higher" gear ratio = a lower number, and a "lower" gear is a higher number. 4.10's are low gears and 3.23's are higher. The number is how many times the driveshaft turns for every revolution of the axle--4.1 to 1 or 3.23 to 1.

The manufacturer should have a chart that shows towing capacity for various gear ratios and configurations (4x4, extended cab, and so on).

 

[SteveSRT8]

all us "old school" hot rodders know that "shorter" means numerically higher. Taller means numerically smaller.

Can't go as fast, thus shorter. Make sense?

 

[chubbs1]

Thank you all for the responses, it has helped me a lot and I have a better idea what direction to go. Thanks.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: Rhymingmechanic
Remember that a "higher" gear ratio = a lower number, and a "lower" gear is a higher number. 4.10's are low gears and 3.23's are higher. The number is how many times the driveshaft turns for every revolution of the axle--4.1 to 1 or 3.23 to 1.

The manufacturer should have a chart that shows towing capacity for various gear ratios and configurations (4x4, extended cab, and so on).


They also used to be called "highway gears", back when vehicles really had problems with low gearing on the new interstates.