Understanding Gear Ratios in Rear Differentials

Vehicles rely heavily on rear differentials specifically if you are driving a truck, SUV and a performance car. One of the essential things about the way that a rear differential operates is that of the gear ratio. Drivers who know the difference between gears can better determine engine upgrades, towing capabilities, fuel economy and how the vehicle performs off-road. Whether you’re servicing or replacing Complete Rear Differential, an understanding of how gear ratios impact your vehicle is a must.

What Is a Gear Ratio?

In the case of a rear differential, the gear ratio is the number of times the driveshaft must spin to make the wheels rotate once. For instance, a 3.73 gear ratio tells us that the driveshaft will spin 3.73 times for the rear wheels to rotate one full time. This number is calculated by the number of teeth in the ring gear divided by the number of teeth in the pinion gear located in the differential.

Full Rear Differentials Full rear differentials include a predetermined gear ratio the manufacturer determines to provide balanced performance, torque, and fuel economy according to the particular vehicle and application.

Performance Effects of Gear Ratio's

Gear ratios are a big factor in how a vehicle accelerates and how it performs certain tasks, like towing or going off-road. Numerically lower gear ratios (such as 3.08 or 3.31) are frequently referred to as “taller” gears. They’re more fuel efficient since engine rpm will be lower at highway speeds. But they might not tow as well, or climb steep grades, because of less torque multiplication.

Larger numbers (like 4.10 or 4.56) are referred to as “shorter” gears. These provide better torque and faster acceleration is for towing trailers/boats, carrying heavy loads, jeep, or off-road use. But they can also reduce fuel economy, because the engine operates at higher revs.

When choosing Complete Rear Differentials, it is important to consider the gear ratio for your vehicle, as it will affect the overall performance and longevity of the unit in your truck.

Selecting the Appropriate Gear with Tire Sizes

Tire size increase is a popular modification, particularly among trucks and off-road machines. But bigger tires can also screw with the balance of the gear ratio and in some cases make a truck feel sluggish, and/or put too much strain on the drivetrain. With larger tires comes the need to accommodate a larger gear ratio, which is easy to do in your Complete Rear Differential!

Re-gearing your vehicle offers a more custom experience, where you can trust that all the system calibrations have been matched to maintain optimal performance and speed in your new jeering season!

What to Think about When Upgrading Rear Ends

When changing out or tuning up your rear end, think more than the gear ratio and get a whole new rear end for your vehicle. Complete Rear Differentials may be easier to replace than repairing a damaged unit and shipping it back and forth. Make sure the new differential suits your axle housing, suspension configuration, and driving needs.

It is advisable to speak with a professional mechanic or gear expert prior to changing your vehicle’s drivetrain.

Conclusion

For the performance-style enthusiast, understanding back-end gear ratios is a fundamental aspect of optimizing your vehicle for the track. When you are ready to see what’s out there, to hit the trail, to pull your stuff; whether you are pulling a trailer or just want more power and jump off the line, selecting the right Complete Rear Differentials & gear ratio is what you want to do. With the right tuning, you’ll enjoy sharper responses, improved torque, and better control of your car.