I've seen a lot of posts concerning gear ratios. I don't know anything about these, but wondering what they are all about. For instance, what is the difference in performance between a 3.55 and 3.92? Also, while shopping around just for information, a 2.71 was more expensive than a 3.92. Several posts reported that the 3.92 was a better ratio than 3.55. So, why is a 2.71 more expensive? What is there to gain by upgrading the gear ratio?

Any information about this subject would be appreciated.

John

 

Wow! The 2.70 gear was more expensive? Must be because they don't make many?????

It is hard to explain the differences between the gear ratios. The best thing you can do is go drive similar trucks with each. I could definitely tell a difference between the 3.55 and the 3.92 I ended up getting.
[sm=signs003.gif]

 

Mopartodd, here goes the link that shows the 2.70 was more expensive. Enjoy!

click here

John

 

John. The link you sent me was for the differential, not gearsets. The 2.71 refers to the ring gear that will fit the differential. I looked at some of the gearsets for a Chrysler 9.25" rear and they didn't have a 2.70 gear.

Sorry if I'm not getting what you're asking.

 

Sorry, mopartodd. Like I said in the original post, I have no idea what these things are about. Thanks for clearing that up. I'm not really shopping around for these things, just curious about what they accomplish.

Thanks a lot for exposing my stupidity, LOL!

John

 

The ratios are a correlation of input revolutions of the driveshaft to output turns of the axles (wheels).

If you see a 3.55 it actually means 3.55 to 1.
Which means that for every 3.55 times your driveshaft turns your axles (wheels) will turn once.

As you can see, if theese numbers start changing, the amount of work your engine has to do to get the vehicle moving changes also.

Higher numbers tend to mean a quicker launch with higher top end RPMs for the engine.
Lower numbers do the opposite.

 

I hope I didn't make you feel that way. I'm sorry if I did.[sm=imsorry.gif]

Like GMsucks said about the gears. I always think of gear ratios in terms of a bicycle.

A lower gear (higher numerical gear,ex. 3.92) is easier to turn over and is more torquey, but gives you a lower topend speed with higher rpm's.

A higher gear (lower numerical gear, ex. 2.70) is harder to turn over, but will give you a higher topend speed with fewer rpm's.

I don't know if this helps you out. If it's still confusing, ask away.

[sm=itsok.gif]