Better 3.73 Vs 4.10 Gear Ratio Ram 2500 Diesel UPDATED

Better 3.73 Vs 4.10 Gear Ratio Ram 2500 Diesel

Originally published in September 2010 and Updated in October 2021.

Often overlooked, optional gear ratios play a cardinal role in pickup truck functioning. If the beam ratio is too tall, the truck may seem to lack power, especially when climbing hills. This may exist corrected with a numerically higher axle ratio, often at the expense of unladen highway fuel economy.

Consider that with a iii.31 axle ratio, the driveshaft turns three 1/3rd times for every revolution of the rear wheel. With a 4.30 ratio, it turns iv 1/tertiary times for every revolution of the rear wheel. The numerically higher gear ratio (in this case, iv.thirty) increases bike torque and improves acceleration from low speeds. Merely the engine does have to run faster to attain a given speed.

Video: How a Differential Works

Selecting the best gear ratio tin can exist tricky as the unabridged powertrain works equally a organisation. Every engine includes a sweetness spot in its power curve betwixt top ability and elevation torque. Yous want the manual gearing and axle gear ratio to stay in this sweet spot while hauling the payload at the desired speed.

Also consider that the axle ratio is only a portion of the overall pickup gearing. Manufacturers spend a lot of effort on powertrain matching. According to Ford Motor Company, powertrain matching is really a systems approach. It is the engine, transmission, axles and tires working together. It is the effective ratio of engine power transmitted all the style through the drive system to the ground.

The March Toward More Gears

Relying on past history to select an axle ratio may not be the best arroyo as engineering continues to change. There has been a major evolution in pickup truck manual offerings as manufacturers pack an increasing number of gears into the transmission housing. Many years ago, the iv-speed automatic manual was mainstream. Then it evolved into five speeds and eventually six speeds. The terrain, the weight of your loads, the shape of your loads and how frequently you lot tow volition all influence the correct axle ratio. Ram Trucks

In 2012, Ram Trucks introduced an 8-speed transmission for its 2013 1500 models. This development of pickup truck transmissions accelerated in 2017 with the introduction of ten-speed transmissions. This was the result of a collaboration between Ford and General Motors, and first appeared as an option on the 2017 F-150 pickups. Chevrolet Silverado 2019 pickup truck models followed. For 2020, Ford and Full general Motors both introduced new ten-speed transmissions on their heavy-duty pickups.

Previously mainstream six-speed automatic transmissions are currently being replaced by eight- and 10-speed transmissions, which are able to provide closer ratios between the gears. "Closer ratios allow for the correct gear at the right time and tin can reduce gear hunting on grades and help take advantage of the engine torque curve," says Rod Romain, primary engineer, Ram Heavy Duty.

The ultimate goal of a transmission is to go on the engine working in its most efficient speed range, or at the highest torque bespeak when performance is needed. The manual'southward computer does whatever it takes to find the gear that keeps the engine in its most efficient or best-performing speed range. By having more gear ratios, information technology is possible to go on an engine near its ideal operating speed most of the fourth dimension. The transmission's wider overall ratio enables a lower numerical top gear ratio, an attribute that reduces engine speed on the highway.

"Simply, closer ratios may not support a lower numeric beam; it's a system with the engine," says Romain. "If the ratio option works with the engine, sometimes a lower numeric axle ratio tin can exist used and actually meliorate the overall towing feel. It'due south a system with the engine and vehicle. They need to work together for the task at hand and, depending upon the manual ratios, a college numerical ratio in a higher gear may exist the same equally a lower numerical axle in a lower gear."

The way people spec rear axle ratios has changed as the powertrains have evolved over the past few years. "Years ago, 4.56 and four.10 were the merely gears to have when towing heavy," notes Romain. "With the improved engine operation we take today, the same loads and even higher can be pulled with much lower numerical ratios."

According to Ford Motor Company, there are interconnected reasons to choose optional axle ratios — if y'all are hauling heavy loads with large trailers in hilly terrain and you lot do a loftier frequency of towing. Consider a PowerStroke 6.7-liter diesel fuel that offers a choice of a 3.31, three.55, 3.73 or 4.30 beam ratio. The 3.31 might be capable of towing the trailer. But if you are towing the majority of the time, y'all probably want the three.55 because it will tow meliorate and provide amend fuel economy loaded.

Fuel Economy vs. Towing Efficiency

Get-go with the total combined weight of the vehicle, then consider the surroundings. If you drive the vehicle on apartment ground in Iowa throughout its life, axle ratio is non every bit disquisitional as pulling the aforementioned load up the hills in Denver. The beam ratio really starts to show when you lot go into grades. Higher numerical axle ratios can increase operation when towing heavy loads.

Note that pickup tow and haul ratings are listed by axle ratio. The vehicle'southward tow rating vs. what you program on towing is the best fashion to make up one's mind which gear ratio you should select.

The consumer tin tailor the vehicle's driveline to meet their particular needs, according to Toyota Motor Vehicles. If y'all will never have more than than 1,000 lbs. in the back of the truck, yous would want the highest ratio (iii.73 instead of 4.xxx) for improved fuel economy considering you lot volition not need the torque. Notwithstanding, if you are towing a 9,000-lb. trailer, you will need that actress torque to get the trailer moving, particularly up steep grades (4.30 instead of a 3.73).

Fuel economy (higher rpms translate to increased fuel employ), the weight to exist towed or hauled (you lot want the engine to stay at an efficient speed on hills), roads traveled (steep grades vs. apartment highway) and expected speed are all factors to consider when choosing the correct ratio, advises Ram Trucks. You may cull a ratio that keeps the engine at the lowest rpm for fuel economy. Merely if you are not traveling fast enough on the highway, it will lug the engine and prove to exist less efficient. Yous want to keep the engine at the nigh efficient rpm for a set speed, no matter what the load.

Consider the top speed at which yous want to drive, the fuel economic system y'all wish to accomplish at that highway speed and the load y'all intend to tow or haul. For example, if you wish to tow 10,000 lbs. at 55 mph on apartment highway, a mid gear ratio will keep the engine rpms upward plenty to maintain power with efficiency. If you want to drive at a loftier rate of speed, go with a smaller numerical gear ratio to go along the rpms as low equally possible.

Towing a heavy load and fuel economy don't go hand in paw, according to Full general Motors. The lower gear ratio will give you the drivability you need to effectively tow the load at the expense of slightly higher engine rpm at higher speeds vs. a vehicle with a higher ratio. All the same, if you use a terminal drive ratio that is too loftier, you will have to rev the engine more and the transmission clutches will generate much more heat due to slipping when trying to get the load moving. The stop issue is you damage your manual.

The weight of the load isn't the only consideration. It is the weight of the load as well as the aero characteristics of the load, notes General Motors. If you pull a large trailer that has a big frontal area, it has a very high aero impact going downward the highway compared to a flatbed trailer with a Bobcat and lawn servicing equipment. The aero characteristics are quite dissimilar for those two vehicles, and that has a huge affect on towing on the highways.

Performance Relative to Employ

General Motors previously performed extensive testing with its L96 gas engine and both the standard 3.73 and optional 4.10 axle ratios. That iii.73 vs. a 4.10 has a huge impact on engine rpm considering you are selecting second gear with a 3.73 to pull the grade, but you can hit third gear with a 4.10. Your engine speed is about i,000 rpm lower, then temperatures under hood are going to exist significantly lower.

College numerical ratios often increment fuel consumption. The penalisation in fuel economy varies because it depends so much on your utilize, Ford Motor Company points out. If you drive the vehicle with low loads, you volition see a fuel economy decrease with a college numerical axle ratio, particularly at highway speeds. If you lot are driving loaded a lot of the time, at that place is a point where fuel economy crosses over and is equivalent or even meliorate. If you are driving in a metropolis environment at slower speeds, you may also see a fuel economic system increase with a higher numeric axle ratio.

Many dedicated commercial trucks do non offer a choice of axle ratios. Ane ratio is used since the trucks are primarily being used for a commercial-type application where they are all heavily loaded.

Tire Size Changes Ratios

Changing tire size as well affects the gear ratio. A larger tire plays the same function as smaller gear ratios. However, you now may be calculation rotating mass, which decreases efficiency and besides negatively changes the dynamics of the vehicle for which information technology was designed.

A 1-in. subtract in tire diameter has about the same impact of ane/3rd of an axle pace. For example, if a 3.73 beam ratio currently is matched with a 31.2-in.-bore tire, then the tire is decreased to 30.2 in., the revolutions per mile increment from 650 to roughly 670. That gives y'all virtually a 3.85 axle ratio.

Go along in mind that vehicles are designed to exist operated with a specific-sized tire. Well-nigh manufacturers don't recommend changing tire size, as this will bear on handling and performance of the vehicle.

Impact on Wear and Tear

A higher numerical gear ratio doesn't automatically reduce wear and tear under heavy loads.

Free energy must be transferred somewhere, notes Ram Trucks. The wear and tear volition increment in 1 area and driblet in another depending upon what the load is and the drive bicycle. About habiliment and tear is dependent upon driving habits, east.m., slipping the clutch, jack-rabbit starts, over- and/or under-revving the engine, etc.

Only a higher numerical ratio will save article of clothing on both the engine and manual. It is more of a benefit to the manual because it will accept a greater mechanical advantage over the load when trying to go the load moving.

The recent proliferation of transmissions with more than gears makes the overall gearing more constructive. Multiple speeds give multiple options to continue the engine in the about efficient operating range at a detail speed.

It's all near rest. A manufacturer may choose a 3.73 considering it knows the client of a heavy-duty truck is going to tow, but isn't going to tow a 20,000-lb. combined package. So, the manufacturer tries to provide the all-time functioning with a 3.73. Then there is the client that has the 3500 dually; it has the small 17-in. tire and 4.x axle ratio. This will requite the customer the best functioning for the 20,500-lb. combined package.

The best communication is to fully understand your awarding. The beam choice likewise impacts many factors other than fuel economy. That axle ratio is key to thermal performance. If you are going to tow a lot of weight, the higher numerical gear ratio will actually improve the durability of the vehicle.

"Friction match the tow rating of your vehicle to the task you are asking information technology to do and y'all will be fine," says Romain.

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Better 3.73 Vs 4.10 Gear Ratio Ram 2500 Diesel UPDATED

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