Okay so I know the topic has been tossed around a good but on here so be patient with me.
I've decided to change my final drive ratio and would like opinions

Current setup:
302 no mods
E4OD
28.9" tires
3.08 open diff

I'm on the fence between 3.73 and 4.10 gears
At 70mph the motor turns about 1750rpm
With 3.73 that would be about 2118rpm and with 4.10 it would be 2328rpm

So now to the point of my question.
With stock tires I feel 3.73 would be best, but I've been considering going to 31"
Essentially 29" tires with 3.73 would turn about the same rpm as 31" with 4.10 so if I go with 3.73 and then 31" tires, I'm not sure that the effective ration will be low enough to satisfy my torque craving, but if I go with 4.10, and end up leaving the 29" tires, will I be turning up too much on the highway?


So chew on that and tell me what you think

 

If you stay in the 55-65 mph range on the highway the 4.10's will still be ok, IMO. I know it's not exactly apples-to-apples but my '05 E250 would get 18 mpg if kept under 65 and it was running 4.10's.

 

What do you want to do with the truck. If you are just cruising with it and want to light em' up then stick with the 3.73's. If you want better towing then go with the 4.10's

Matt

 

You're gonna put at least 31's on it because the dinky little stock tires look stupid, so get 4.10s now and while you're in there install an LS diff.

 

Well I want more torque in all situations
I want better unloaded acceleration
I want to be able to climb small hills without downshifting
I want to be able to pull my enclose cargo trailer in fourth gear
And should I ever feel the need to haul close to the maximum tow rating. I'd like to
Basically I want as much out of the truck as can be which is why I feel 4.10 may be the way to go
It's not my daily driver
I have a civic that gets about 28 mpg
I don't drive the truck often
But when I do I want as much grunt as possible
So maybe my question is this
If I go with 4.10 and leave the small tires
What will be the main downsides?

 

"It's not my daily driver
I have a civic that gets about 28 mpg
I don't drive the truck often
But when I do I want as much grunt as possible"


if your after performance,it's not something used often,and you want great grunt,then why mess around? drop a set of 4.56's in there and enjoy the grunt!
the only downside to low,towing,performance gearing,is decreased economy,and max speed......nothing of concern to you.have your cake and eat it too.....i would.

if you "really" want as much grunt as possible,
then you would swap in an RV/towing cam,with a low stall converter,and a set of 5.13's.you' think you turned that 302 car motor into not just a performance truck engine,but a tractor. ..........but most practical folk figure it's just time to upgrade to the diesel long before these thoughts meet the road.