Rear gear questions?
Rear gear questions?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Mine's got a 4.10 rear gear with a 300, it has great torque, but maxes out around 60. IMO, for a street driven truck with -normal- sized tires, 3.55 seems to be about the best ratio, especially with a larger v8.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Keith, A lot depends on what's on the other end of the truck. I have a warmed over 352/C6 in the front of mine and a 3.00 rear ratio. I also like making BBQ, so when I am smoking my meats it's in a different setting. My truck wont light em up but it does pull strong even at 75-80 mph. A smaller 302 would need more gear and 3.50 could work nicely. By the time you get to the I-6 3.75-4.11 is needed to make up the difference.
The lower the ratio number the faster the truck will run, but more power up front is required. You need to figure what engine you will run and what you will use the truck for, so the rear gear choice can be decided. 9" rears are fairly cheep and easy to change out along with speedo gears.
Have fun
John
The lower the ratio number the faster the truck will run, but more power up front is required. You need to figure what engine you will run and what you will use the truck for, so the rear gear choice can be decided. 9" rears are fairly cheep and easy to change out along with speedo gears.
Have fun
John
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Cabot, Arkansas
Keith….I have a 69 with a 360 and a 3 speed. It has 3.25 in the rear. I have good towing and can cruse along at 65 or 70 without working the engine much. I’d really like to go with a 3.00 just to get a few more MPG. But I don’t really tow much, a small trailer and a 4Wheeler. It all depends on what you use your truck for.