my SAS
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
Some have the whole gearing concept backwards. Running the higher ratio in the axles (nemerically lower) and compensating with a low transmission gear is not the direction you want to go.
The entire reason for a lower first gear in the trans is not to make up for larger tires or a lack of mechanical advantage in the axles. This is to aid in the motivation of the vehicle under severe loads, not the other way around.
Overdrive is there so that engine RPM's can be lowered without compromising bottom end grunt while still maintaining a reasonable highway speed.
have24wheel has the right concept and more gear in the axles is never as much of a problem as not enough when we throw the off road factor in there.
If you are after mileage, then slow down. A 100 mile trip at 70 miles per hour takes a given amount of time, and that same 100 mile trip at 65 miles per hour takes about 6 minutes more. 6 miutes. WHich one will get the better mleage? Point is that you dont have to sacrifice mileage by installing a set of gears with a better than optimum ratio. More aggressive can do as well or better than the conservative highway ratios.
This is part of the reason we dont see large haulers with highway ratios like a 2.75 or something silly like that.
Ill take 4.56 gears and 35 inch tires all day long, (with a three speed auto) but the 4.88 option with an overdrive is awesome. Easier on the trans, easier on the entire drivetrain, and so much better off road. Gear reduction provides some real crazy traction and most guys that state "my stock gears are fine, even with large tires" has probably never driven a similar vehicle with a deep set of gears. (numerically higher).
Horsepower is somthing that can offset this combo, however, it is only compesation. Meaning that more horsepower and this mechanical advantage will create an even more potent combo. Dont shy away from steep gears like the 4.56, or even the 4.88. If you upgrade the trans, and keep a decent overdrive, then gear it to the moon. You will enjoy a more capable off road rig that has nice street manners.
Keep in mind that the small axles will not like the added power, nor will it take kindly to the added stress so keep that in mind when considering steep gears for the smaller axles.
Most of us that have would never go back to the terrible ratios that are being considered, or at least discussed.
The entire reason for a lower first gear in the trans is not to make up for larger tires or a lack of mechanical advantage in the axles. This is to aid in the motivation of the vehicle under severe loads, not the other way around.
Overdrive is there so that engine RPM's can be lowered without compromising bottom end grunt while still maintaining a reasonable highway speed.
have24wheel has the right concept and more gear in the axles is never as much of a problem as not enough when we throw the off road factor in there.
If you are after mileage, then slow down. A 100 mile trip at 70 miles per hour takes a given amount of time, and that same 100 mile trip at 65 miles per hour takes about 6 minutes more. 6 miutes. WHich one will get the better mleage? Point is that you dont have to sacrifice mileage by installing a set of gears with a better than optimum ratio. More aggressive can do as well or better than the conservative highway ratios.
This is part of the reason we dont see large haulers with highway ratios like a 2.75 or something silly like that.
Ill take 4.56 gears and 35 inch tires all day long, (with a three speed auto) but the 4.88 option with an overdrive is awesome. Easier on the trans, easier on the entire drivetrain, and so much better off road. Gear reduction provides some real crazy traction and most guys that state "my stock gears are fine, even with large tires" has probably never driven a similar vehicle with a deep set of gears. (numerically higher).
Horsepower is somthing that can offset this combo, however, it is only compesation. Meaning that more horsepower and this mechanical advantage will create an even more potent combo. Dont shy away from steep gears like the 4.56, or even the 4.88. If you upgrade the trans, and keep a decent overdrive, then gear it to the moon. You will enjoy a more capable off road rig that has nice street manners.
Keep in mind that the small axles will not like the added power, nor will it take kindly to the added stress so keep that in mind when considering steep gears for the smaller axles.
Most of us that have would never go back to the terrible ratios that are being considered, or at least discussed.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 0
From: Olympia
It just seems that whenever I have a question, Ed always gives me the best, most straightforeward answer. I have no reason to question his experience lol.
I'm sure if he said that stacking blocks was a good idea we'd probably assume he's right.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
I've never said that was a good idea. I've said its worked good for me for years, and not to try it yourself. Lol.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Its only because I tend to use some fancy pants words, and it keeps most folks guessin, or my replies are so dang long they got tired of reading half way through. Perhaps, nobody wants to reply back because they fear I might type even more than I already do, lol.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 0
From: Olympia
But for the mostpart I like to read what you have to say. Usually get some good information out of you.
You should learn to hit enter once inawhile so things arn't so smooshed together though lol.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Likes: 44
Ill take that into consideration, though I do have to tell you that most of my replies are from my Blackberry.
Often times it is difficult to produce proper paragraphs.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: raymond alberta
as of now they are getting installed tomorrow while im at work...but ive heard that before...ill believe it when they drop my truck off at the shop
you misunderstood me...im not trying to make MPG by keeping the 3.55s...i have to keep them because i havent the cash to regear at the moment...so they will have to work for now regardless...i was just meaning that it might make some MPG while at highway speed...although it will suck up my low end grunt...gears should only be changed to keep the overal ratio the same when tires get bigger, not to compensate for engin power tranny ratios or MPG...
big rigs run the same gearing as most pick ups do...anywhere from the 2.72 (the highest ive seen) to about 4.11 i think... then you get the CP rail trucks that drive up on the tracks and pull up to ten fully loaded rail car at once...they are geared to the moon...they also have ZF trannys, ZF payloader trannys to be exact
big rigs run the same gearing as most pick ups do...anywhere from the 2.72 (the highest ive seen) to about 4.11 i think... then you get the CP rail trucks that drive up on the tracks and pull up to ten fully loaded rail car at once...they are geared to the moon...they also have ZF trannys, ZF payloader trannys to be exact
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,121
Likes: 1
From: Springfield, VA
That must go along with the greatest lines in history, much like "the check's in the mail", or "I promise to pull out", or ......
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
i was just meaning that it might make some MPG while at highway speed...although it will suck up my low end grunt...gears should only be changed to keep the overal ratio the same when tires get bigger, not to compensate for engin power tranny ratios or MPG...
big rigs run the same gearing as most pick ups do
big rigs run the same gearing as most pick ups do
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: raymond alberta
You don't always want the overall ratio the same. As you up the tire size, the wt. of the tire and wheel increases. Witch takes more power to turn, so if you want it to "feel" the same when you drive it, you would need a overall ratio a small % lower than stock. Yes you can use gears to compinsate for power. Why do you think big rigs have 10 and higher speed trannys. Gears. Why do you think guys can run 4 bangers with 42s. Gears. They run doublers and low gears in the axles, so they can have power to the tires. If you "power out" at around 50 mph now with your "little" tires, I would suggest getting some 4.88s for your 35s. With the lower gears, you will get better milage and it will have more power to the ground.