could someone explain to me the difference b/t the 3.55 rear end and the 3.73

 

The difference is 0.18. Or read how axles work... http://science.howstuffworks.com/gear-ratio.htm

 

Think of it in terms of a manual transmission (this is relative and hypothetical numbers as well)

Let's say the 3.73 gears are the standard:
1st gear
2nd gear
3rd gear
4th gear

With the 3.55 gear set it would be like having a
1.2 gear
2.2 gear
3.2 gear
4.2 gear


Now those aren't correctly proportional, but it atleast makes more sense. The 3.55 gears are better for gas mileage and the 3.73 gears are better for towing. That make sense?

 

Actually, I've read here that trucks with the 3.73 seem to get better city-driving fuel economy than those trucks with the 3.55 (Just a side note)

 

No you haven't. Shut up.

 

^

 

Holy sh#t, that was funny!!!!!

 

With a 3:55 axle ratio the drive shaft will rotate 3.55 (approximately 3 ½ times) for every one rotation of the rear tire. And the same formula would be used for the 3:73 which would mean that the drive shaft would rotate 3.73 (approximately 3 ¾ times) for every one rotation of the rear tire.

 

OMG!!!!!!!