Newbie question: Axle Ratio?

[jrpend]

Hi -
Once again shopping for the UTV (Ultimate tow vehicle) for a future Montana 3402RL.

Based on the input from this forum, it will be a long bed and 90% sure it will be diesel (my preference).

Configuring the truck on the internet, I get asked about Axle ratio. I know the higher the number the more torque.

Is the Axle ratio important with a diesel?

Does anyone know the benefit of these "Electronic Locking Axles"?

Thanks,
Jerald Pendleton
Montana Wannabe

[jsmitfl]

If you buy the Chevy Duramax, it comes with 3.73 automatically. Have owned three of them and have even put a one size bigger tire one them and have had no problems pulling the fiver. We even pull in the western mountains and they do well. As far as the electronic locking axles???

[bigskyjimmy]

jsmitfl is right about the Duramax 3.73 and it seems perfect gear ratio for them...Ford and Dodge guys can tell ya if they have a choice of ratio's but with these New MONSTER diesel's I would think 3.73 is all you need, Now if you are looking at Gas 4.10 0r 4.11 FOR SURE!

[NCFischers]

The new GM trucks have an option of a 3:73 or a 4:10 rear end. The 4:10 will increase your towing capacity a bit but will slightly lower your fuel milage. My 3:73 works well for me.

[DQDick]

We have a truck speced for the dealer as a max tow truck and it has the 4 rear end. With the Cummins diesel I still get 11 towing the Monty and 18 or more without it. Don't ask about the in town milage. It doesn't have a fuel pump just uses a German beer stine.

[WeBeFulltime]

My Dodge does just fine with the 3.73.

[Montana Sky]

I've run the 3.73 rear end in all of my trucks (Silverado's and Ram's). This combination provides the best combination of fuel economy and towing capacity. My current Ram has the 3.73 rear end with the max tow package from the 4.10. Gives me the towing capacity of the 4.10 while getting the fuel economy of the 3.73. Happy truck shopping!

[sambam]

These new diesels don't need a lot of low-end gearing to get things moving. In the past, GM offered the Duramax with 3.73 and that was it. I don't understand the need for all the options. To me, 3.73 is a reasonable gear for all-around performance. But that's the way things are nowadays. The market is flooded with options. If you need more proof, go to Home Depot and check out the light bulb selection.

[mlh]

Unlike older trucks with 200 HP AND 500 pound feet of TK these new trucks have so much power you can get away with gear ratios of .373 .355 or even higher. So you don't need to worry as much about having enough power and as an added bonus you get a little fuel mileage.
"Electronic Locking Axles"?
When one wheel starts to slip the truck detects wheel slippage and locks the axles to gain better traction instead of limited slip. Electronic Locking Axles are better than limited slip. I have limited slip and would rather have Electronic Locking Axles.
I don't know which truck you are looking at but do yourself a favor and go look at all three drive them all several times, then choose the best one for YOU.
Lynwood

[mobil]

I wouldn't go with anything lower than 3:73. Yah, all these truck have gobs of tq and hp. All the ratios they match them with will get you down the road. But, to keep your engine in the "sweet" spot(rpm wise), you need to match up the ratio with the weight you expect to pull. My truck would've been ok with the 3:73's but it would've been close to it's max tow rating(you gotta use the gross veh weight rating of the trailer, not the actual weight as it sits on the dealers lot), and a lot of guys pull my weight(my 3665 has a gvwr of 15,500, I think)with 3:73's and have no problems. I have the 4:10's. It gives me an extra 1000lbs cushion before maxing out and extra piece of mind. I don't mind the small penalty in fuel milage. I get 16 mpg hwy empty and 9-11 mpg loaded with the Montana and whatever goodies we can cram in the truck and trailer. It's really peanuts compared to the overall cost of the rv + truck + other toys for it all.

[racerjoe]

I know the 2012 ford diesels only came with one rear gear. but the new motor,more than makes up for any issues. I have heard no complaints with the combo

[CORattler]

Higher gear ratio = more torque/faster "off the line" and higher RPM to achieve the same speed than say a 3:73. Higher RPM usually results in somewhat less MPG than a lower geared vehicle (all other things being equal).
I tow 12,000 lbs in the Rockies with 3:73 with no problem. If I was looking for more torque "off the line" I'd have gotten the 4:10.
I strongly suggest a dually because of the weight of the rig you propose to tow.
Good luck!

[CORattler]

Locking axles = http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locking_differential
Electronic means locking them is usually via an " in cab" on/ off switch. Likely actuates a servo mechanism in the differential.
This is useful if you go off road or get in situations where you need to have both wheels on the same axle provide equal torque.

[richfaa]

My 08 6.4 Ford diesel has the 4:10.It came that way. IMO the 3:73 is enough. The MPG is not all that different as observed with the guys I pull with. We are all in fueling at the same time and take on the more or less same fuel load.

[kab449]

Locking rear axle on my truck used two times. Once to make sure it worked, and another time when I couldn't make it up a hill with about 6 inches of snow. Didn't make much difference getting me up the hill, I still needed to engage the 4 wheel drive.

[MIMF]

My old Silverado has the 3:73 rear end. Our Challenger has weighed 13,3?? lbs. and 13,5?? lbs. both times I have weighed it over the years. It grosses at 14,100 pounds so, I try to pay close attention. My point is, granted, the newer Montanas are probably heavier than my older unit but, the Duramax and Allison are a perfect match for the standard rear that GM puts in the truck and I don't have to use the tow haul mode on the tranny. There-by getting respectable fuel mileage. We just completed a 9 day tour around Lake Michigan and Green Bay with no power issues what-so-ever!

[Captain Joe]

You said "Ultimate Tow Vehicle." You can buy two of the trucks in my signature for the price of one new 1-ton Diesel and have the best ride.

[Samiterry]

Back in 1999, we bought a new 3500 Silverado with a gas 454 with a 456 rear end. I didn't think anything could out pull this truck...........until............2002. We bought a 2500hd Silverado with the Duramax/Allison and 373 gear. I couldn't believe the difference. Much more power and torque. We now have a 2005 3500hd Siverado with the same combo. Love it!

[mazboy]

i'd recommend a short box. the way the hitch is attached to the 3402, it will be very rare that you need to have a long box.


advantage of short box to me is the parking and my wife likes it better than a long box.

and yes, get a diesel, do NOT get a gas truck...we know from experience. and, i'd recommend a one ton (not a dually) rather than a 3/4 ton.

[stiles watson]

I had a 2008 King Ranch Ford F350 dually. I thought I had bought a 4:10. But found later that it was a 4:33. Lots of power and torque, but it was a diesel sucking combo. Even not pulling on a good day I would get 14-15 mpg. Towing my Big Sky the best was about 9 going down hill with a tail wind (some exaggeration here). I traded for a 2011 King Ranch F350 6.7 SWD with a 3:55. There was no downside in power and towing, but huge difference in mileage.