This truck has a 350 engine, 1/2 ton, 5 speed manual transmission, and has about 140k miles on it.
I am replacing the rear end and want to know if it would be a good idea to lower or change the gear ratio to achieve more power when I pull my travel trailer, and how much gas mileage will I lose. Also how much should this cost me?

What axle ratio do you have now? It won't change gas mileage much, but will add towing power to lower ratio to like a 4.10 if you have a 3.55. The truck will act like it has more torque.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MrTruck,

quote:

Originally posted by MrTruck:
What axle ratio do you have now? If won't change gas mileage much, but will add towing power to lower ratio to like a 4.10 if you have a 3.55. The truck will act like it has more torque.

I have 3.73 I found out, it is a 4x4 so I will need to change the front differential as well correct? Would a 3.73 be that much different than a 4.10? Maybe I should just go to a wrecking yard and try to find a good used complete rear axle and just leave it the gear ratio that it is, would I be gaining that much more towing power to make it worth the cost of changing it to a 4.10?

It it were me, especially with 4x4 as you do have to change both ends, with a 3.73 I wouldn't mess with it.