These are things I ought to know but don't. So . . .

3.55
3.73
4.10

Which has the most torque?
Which is faster at top end?
If I wanted a truck that was fast off the line which rear would I pick?

. . . and limited slip, how is that different from one without limited slip?

Thanks guys!

 

MB,

I'm no expert as some on this site are but since no one has answered you I'll give it a shot. 3.55 gears are "higher" or "taller" than 3.73 which are "higher" than 4.10. 4.10 will get you off the line faster, a lot of muscle cars in the '60s and '70s had 4.10 gears for racing between red lights. 3.55 gears give better gas mileage cause you run lower rpm at the same mph as 4.10 or 3.73. 3.73 are in between 4.10 and 3.55 and could be seen as getting the "best of both worlds". 4.10 will have more low end torque while 3.55 will have more top end.(without speed limiters that is).
Limited slip causes both wheels to spin even when one wheel has lost traction by locking the spider gears. In a rear end without Limited slip if one wheel loses traction, say on ice or mud that wheel will sit there and spin while the other will not, so you are stuck. Think of it kind of like a poor mans 4wd. I have seen cars with Limited slip get around just fine all winter in upstate NY with no snow tires while cars w/o Limited slip are getting stuck with snow tires on. I hope this helps. If I have given any wrong info I hope someone will correct me.--Jack

 

Yeah, just what bigjack said. Really, that was a perfect explanation on both. And where in Upstate NY did you live? Be happy you're not here right now. I got up this morning and looked at the thermometer- 21 degrees BELOW ZERO!! One thing was neat, though- it is so cold that the moisture is freezing in mid-air, making it look like billions of tiny diamonds floating around in the sunlight. I've never seen anything like that before.

 

Born in Buffalo, grew up around Syracuse, left in '81.
I feel for ya! I don't miss it!
Buffalo is proof that hell has frozen over.--Jack

 

Thanks bigjack!

Going with limited slip makes a lot of sense especially with 2WD.

There's an '04 Lariat 4WD wedgewood blue SCab w/moonroof in Douglas, GA (I've had a hard time finding an SCab w/moonroof) but it has a 3.73 regular axle. I wonder if having limited slip makes much difference if it's 4WD?

Hmmmmm . . . time for another post!

Here's the link to the truck if anyone's interested:
http://www.princefordmercury.com/pag...X14534NB07381#

 

Yes it is the only way to really get power to the wheels that have traction.Lets say you had both right wheels in deep mud in 4wd without limited slip they would spin while the left wheels just sat there. With limited slip power would be directed to the left side that has traction enabling them to pull you out.--Jack

 

Syracuse, huh? I was born in Solvay (not too many people will admit to that), grew up as a kid in Camillus, and spent my high-school years in Elbridge. Moved to Rochester in '75 to go to school and never looked back. This is a beautiful area in the summer, which last year was July 17th-19th.

 

Hey bigjack glad to hear you are from NY. One of my good friends in the Marines was fron north NY. In the mountions something that started with an A I cant spell so I wont try.
Looks like we both have the same truck. Keep me infromed on how it does. got to go wifes on my A#@