Theoretically speaking...
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2003
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Theoretically speaking...
I have a Ford Ranger with, I think, 4.10 gear ratio. Let's say that there is another Ford Ranger with 3.7 gear ratio, for example.
It takes my Ranger 4.10 turns of driveshaft to turn wheel once but the other only takes 3.7 turns.
If we drive the same distance (let's say 1 mile) then my driveshaft, and crankshaft, and pistons and stuff have had to turn more to go the same distance, right?
So my engine has occurred a little more wear and tear in that 1 mile, and every other mile. This could be huge over 150,000 miles.
My question is whether a truck with lower gear ratios will last longer than a truck with higher gear ratios, all other things being equal, since the truck with lower gear ratio will travel farther than one with higher gear ratio given the same number of turns.
In other words, if an engine will yield 30 million revolutions, for example, in it's life, wouldn't that translate to a lot more miles in a lower gear ratio truck? 2000 RPM in overdrive in my 2000 3.0 4x4 Ranger gives me 54 MPH, but if I lowered the gear ratio would 2000 RPM give me a significant incease in MPH? Would it extend the life of my truck? What would be the drawbacks? THanks guys
It takes my Ranger 4.10 turns of driveshaft to turn wheel once but the other only takes 3.7 turns.
If we drive the same distance (let's say 1 mile) then my driveshaft, and crankshaft, and pistons and stuff have had to turn more to go the same distance, right?
So my engine has occurred a little more wear and tear in that 1 mile, and every other mile. This could be huge over 150,000 miles.
My question is whether a truck with lower gear ratios will last longer than a truck with higher gear ratios, all other things being equal, since the truck with lower gear ratio will travel farther than one with higher gear ratio given the same number of turns.
In other words, if an engine will yield 30 million revolutions, for example, in it's life, wouldn't that translate to a lot more miles in a lower gear ratio truck? 2000 RPM in overdrive in my 2000 3.0 4x4 Ranger gives me 54 MPH, but if I lowered the gear ratio would 2000 RPM give me a significant incease in MPH? Would it extend the life of my truck? What would be the drawbacks? THanks guys
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Theoretically speaking...
Depends on how heavy a load you haul or pull and maintenance and luck and other things.
If you tow a heavy load, the higher ratio truck will probably last longer than one with lower ratio. The lower ratio truck would have to work harder and probably burn up a tranny or two while you were at it.
For equal load, equal driving style equal everything, then yes the lower ratio should(But not always) last longer. Durability also depends on where the power curve is for the engine. Keeping the rpms in the right power band is best for economy, performance and usually durability. That is why the big rigs have so many gears.
If you have a daily driver and rarely load it up, I would go with low # gears. If you hauled or towed, I would go with higher gears.
I own a chebby that has a owners club of thousands of owners. Their experience with that model is that a higher ratio actually gives better mileage and performance than the factory stock low 3.08 ratio. This was a big surprise to the members of the club. Presumably since that engine is working easier although making slightly more turns, it should last as long or longer than the stock. So like I said "not always".
Just my opinion,
Jim Henderson
If you tow a heavy load, the higher ratio truck will probably last longer than one with lower ratio. The lower ratio truck would have to work harder and probably burn up a tranny or two while you were at it.
For equal load, equal driving style equal everything, then yes the lower ratio should(But not always) last longer. Durability also depends on where the power curve is for the engine. Keeping the rpms in the right power band is best for economy, performance and usually durability. That is why the big rigs have so many gears.
If you have a daily driver and rarely load it up, I would go with low # gears. If you hauled or towed, I would go with higher gears.
I own a chebby that has a owners club of thousands of owners. Their experience with that model is that a higher ratio actually gives better mileage and performance than the factory stock low 3.08 ratio. This was a big surprise to the members of the club. Presumably since that engine is working easier although making slightly more turns, it should last as long or longer than the stock. So like I said "not always".
Just my opinion,
Jim Henderson
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
Theoretically speaking...
I agree with your theory, but Jim is right. We had a '91 Ranger 4.0 automatic with 3.08 gears. It got terrible gas mileage for a compact truck and burned up the automatic sooner than it should have, considering that it did no towing.
Jim
Jim
