3.73 LS gears (a bunch of questions~~some stupid, some good) thanks!!

[MattStarr]

Alright, I always see you guys talking about gear ratios. I know what they mean kinda. I have 3.73LS. Is this good? What size tires can I run without problems? Does the higher the gear mean lower gas mileage? I saw on the window sticker of my X (yes i still have it) that the 3.73LS was an option that I got. so it must be good If I had a lower gear, would I get better gas mileage? Also, I have this gear which is turning P235/75R15 Tires... Is this gear too high? Maybe is this why my gas mileage sucks? I plan on putting a set of BFG AT's on here in about 10K miles. I was thinking 30's or 31's... Would this gear be ok with those size tires? And what kind of mileage should I expect to get with the bigger tires? Right now i get about 325 miles/tank in the city and about 400 miles/tank on the highway. Thanks for the answers to my questions..

 

[jimbo74]

3.73 is a very low gear ratio... low in gear ratios is a good thing... more torque, better acceleration, but less top speed, and less gas mileage

31s will be fine with the 3.73s, you will notice a difference, it will feel more sluggish but 31s can be spun with 3.73s without much problem... hiway mileage will probably get better, but the city might get worse...... it also depends on how hard you drive too.....

 

[MattStarr]

Jim~ what do you mean "more sluggish"? As in acceleration? That would be with 31's.... What about with 30's? I dont plan on lifting, so it would be sitting at stock height.

~Heres a side ?...... Now im sitting on 235's How much higher would my truck sit on 30's/31's?? Is there a noticable differance?

 

[jimbo74]

it will be noticeable, my truck only has shcackles and i have 31s, it looks a lot bigger than other xplorers... of course, my truck is very custom but i have 31s..... also i also have the d4 axle same as you..... with bigger tires, it will accelerate more slowly than before, but in my opinion was never that bad...... i doubt you will even notice a difference with 30s vs 31s in term osf gearing.... but 31s look a lot better on the truck and are a much more common size.....

 

[MattStarr]

You dont happen to have a pic of yours with 31's vs. stock height, do you? I just wanna see if it will be something that only I will notice, or someone can be like "hey, nice little lift."

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by MattStarr
this gear too high? Maybe is this why my gas mileage sucks?... Right now i get about 325 miles/tank in the city and about 400 miles/tank on the highway.

You're kidding right? 400 miles on the highway... if you run it to the light, you will have used like 21 gallons of gas >> 400/21 = 19.05 MPG Thats perty good for a 4 door, heavy SUV with the aerodynamics of a loaf of bread. Many here would love to get that kind of mileage

 

[Mike_H]

Re: Re: 3.73 LS gears (a bunch of questions~~some stupid, some good) thanks!!

Originally posted by HokieBert
You're kidding right? 400 miles on the highway... if you run it to the light, you will have used like 21 gallons of gas >> 400/21 = 19.05 MPG Thats perty good for a 4 door, heavy SUV with the aerodynamics of a loaf of bread. Many here would love to get that kind of mileage

Thats what I am talking about, I would be happy just with the 325mi.

 

[MattStarr]

One time i got 435 out of a tank... That was driving on I-95.... One time I actually put more than 21 gallons in....go figure.... but yeah, the mileage aint that bad considering my mom who has a 98 eddie bauer gets 325 a tank on the highway