Why 4.1 axle?
I tow an 8000 pound trailer with a GMC 2500 with 6.0l engine, 4 speed transmission, and 4.1 axle ratio. I rarely need 3rd gear on the highway; only on steep hills. For my next truck, why not get si...
Forum Discussion
JRscooby wrote:
Are we discussing why somebody would pick a given rear ratio, in this case 4.1 to 1, right? I don't have much experience with light duty stuff like what RVs use. What I have done is decide how much weight I need to move to make it pay, then try put the gears and axles under the frame to get the job done. If you got 50,000 lbs on your back, and the customer says "Take it across that bean field, dump at the tree line" You are going to grab a double handful of seat with both hands on the wheel. If you thought the 4.1s could save you fuel over the 4.44s you start counting how many gallons you could buy for the cost of the power divider. That old Pete with the 1693 Cat, 2 stick 5X4, and 5.56 was the best I ever had for that kind of work, but hard to feed on a lot of other jobs...
Again, if you need a higher tow rating yes a higher numerical rear end can help...I said that in my first post.
But most of the comments have been related to fuel efficiency and towing comfort (ie: it doesn't feel like the engine is struggling) but also presumes you are aren't exceeding the weight ratings for the truck.
If you aren't exceeding the weight ratings, a different rear end isn't going to have much of any impact with new trucks with 8/10 speed transmissions.
