final drive ratio, gas mileage, other wear

There is a LOT of miss conceptions here. I have driven trucks in years past over 200K with stock tires and 4.10 axles before there was even OD trannies in main stream. Ressonable RPM does not hurt engines at all though some like to belwive otherwise and feel you must cruise below 2000 RPM for engine to last. WIth a gas engine cruises up to around 3000 RPM (especailly towing) will not shorten life at all and actually can increase it. You ave to remember something here, if your load require 100 HP just to crusie, it has to produce that HP regardless of RPM and the lower the RPM. the higher the cylinder pressures and bearing loads to dleiver that power and the less power resever availble at the RPM as well. The type and size of engine as well as the planned load and terrain really determines best gear ratios, not the gerieric rating from factory that are more fantisy then reality on several models of all brands too. Lugging a engien under a heavy load does far more damage than cranking it up some. But people are looking for magic solutions for their SUV's and want to believe that a 3.73 will give then better MPG i there OD equipped tow vehcile when the opposite is true especailly when towing. ----------------- The SnoMan www.thesnoman.com