I always see people talking about gears. Like get the 4.10 Gears or whatever. Well I'm don't know a lot about mechanics...actually, I don't know jack.

Can someone explain these gear number to me? What they mean? Reasons to upgarde and where are they located. Are they in the transmission? etc.

 

are in the rear end--the differential--that 'pumpkin-shaped metal piece in the middle of the rear axle.

A 4.10 'gear' means with every(one) revolution of the drive shaft, the rear axles turn 4.10 times--poor for mpg--good for launchin'--drag racin'. My 01 Lightning has a 3.73 rear end.

Dan

 

I think you ment the other way around. 4.10 rotations of the drive shaft for one complete revolution of the wheel.

The more turns of the shaft, the more power hits the wheel. The fewer turns of the driveshaft means the wheel can move faster (meaning less throttle for high speeds) This is why 3.08's are sometimes called highway gears.

 

Very well said; J-150.

 

I have 3.08 gears and from a dead stop I can't stand them but on the highway I'm under 1,500 RMP's at 60 MPH so the gas milage is quite good. If I wanted to race anyone, I would have a higher ratio but I'm more concerned with fuel economy and engine life with this truck.

If I had 4.10's I'd be around 1,800 RMP's at 60 MPH and that fuel drawback as well as increased engine wear encourage me to keep my low gear ratio.

For me: 3.55's & 3.73's are a viable option for good performance and acceptible economy. 4.10's are a lot of fun and 4.55's are even more playful but very impractical for a daily driver if you spend a lot of time on the highway.

 

Will a higher gear ratio affect the maximum speed? Like will a 3.08 be able to hit a higher max speed than a 4.55?

Just seems like it because the lower gear ratio will be at a lower RPM at the same speed as a higher gear ratio.

 

Theoretically, 3:08's would get you a higher top speed. However, other things come in to play as you reach higher speeds - namely wind resistance. Wind resistance increases very quickly at higher speeds and that requires more force to push the vehicle. With the 3:08's, you may not have the mechanical advantage to acheive higher speeds since the limting factor at that point may not be gears - it will more likely be the engine. All that is multiplied driving a truck which displaces even more air than a car.

Oh - and if you're still stock (not chipped) - you'll probably hit a speed limiter no matter what the gears are so it won't matter in that shape!

 

Sorry--brain fart.......

 

Some people opt for the upgrade to higher gears for the towing advantage, more power to the rear wheels helps to get the rig moving with the added weight behind. That's why I have the 3.73's...