I need help clarifying the pros and cons of the 3.55 and 3.73 ratios. Please help!

 

3.73 will keep you in a higher RPM band. Better for off-roading (particularly with heavier/larger tires), and will give you slightly better "take-off" when towing.

3.55 will keep you in a lower RPM band. Better for long-trips, fuel consumption, and general driving if you do not tow max-rated loads constantly or have oversized tires.

 

Thank you. I get it now!

 

Driving style affects fuel consuption more than a 5% difference in gearing. I recommend always buying the shortest gears (higher number) you can get.

I don't tow that often, but appreciate all the benefits I can get when I pull out into traffic. Don't assume the better acceleration is only with towing. It is always better.

And get the limited slip.

 

I certaintly hope you meant "get the lowest gears STOCK for your vehicle"...

You can get gears extremely low (5.42/7.17, et cetera), that doesn't mean you should....

I deal with a lot of 4x4 stuff, especially people who lift/larger tires/lower gears and all, and while overgearing may have some advantages, it also has just as many disadvantages.

 

Had 5.33's with dana 44's and 37" inch tires, worked great till the axles started snapping. Stock gears are fine for a daily driver lower gears are good for trail ridin, even then, make sure you have the right setup.

 

I certainly hope you meant Dana 44's, as there isn't a such thing as far as a Dana 40 that I have ever heard of or come across....

 

I said exactly what I meant, but implied "from the factory". Get the shortest (lowest, numerically highest, whatever you want to call it) rear end gear from the factory.