Axle Identification

[Raider L]

@Bextreme04,

I find that really weird that a gear like that was found in a regular vehicle. But I found out much later on that it's for towing purposes, it makes it easier to tow heavy loads when the tires a going around faster than the engine, by a lot faster. I just don't think a 4.56:1 in a car or truck, I think about a gear like that in a race car where you want that kind of ratio. But there it is and has been offered for many a decade.

 

[Bextreme04]

@Bextreme04,

I find that really weird that a gear like that was found in a regular vehicle. But I found out much later on that it's for towing purposes, it makes it easier to tow heavy loads when the tires a going around faster than the engine, by a lot faster. I just don't think a 4.56:1 in a car or truck, I think about a gear like that in a race car where you want that kind of ratio. But there it is and has been offered for many a decade.

Trucks especially will have much taller gears just because they have bigger tires than passenger cars. You lose a lot of torque advantage with the short gear ratios, which affects your acceleration. The tall ratios are very common on the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks because they are meant to haul heavy loads. My '80 K25 with 4.10's pulls a trailer way easier than my 2011 K1500 Suburban with 3.21's. It won't do 75 like the 'burb, but below 60 it is the far better puller.