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Old 06-15-2007, 05:12 PM
jiggle jiggle is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Lake Worth, FL
Vehicle: 2002 Ford F150 4x4
Posts: 713
A 4.88 gear ratio means that the driveshaft will turn 4.88 times for every 1 time the axleshafts rotate. Your stock gear ratio is probably either 3.55 or 3.73. A (numerically) higher gear ratio will make it easier for your engine and tranny to turn the big tires, but will cause your engine to run at slightly higher RPMs.

Think of a car with a manual transmission. 1st gear (the lowest gear ratio other than reverse) gets you moving very quickly and produces lots of torque, but can only be used up to maybe 12 mph for any extended amount of time.

A 4.88 gear ratio would give your truck that extra torque it needs to turn all that rubber.

It will run you anywhere from $1000-$1700 to have the truck regeared, depending on which brand and shop you go with.
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