3.73 gear ratio

[86ranger4x4owner]

i need some help with figuring this out am looking at a truck that has 3.73 rear gear ratiio and i was wondering if the higher the better?The faster?or the lower the better?Or the faster?

 

[Boggin]

the lower the gears the faster, but the more gutless. a truck with 3.27s would be faster than a truck with 3.73s, but the 3.73s will have better bottom end

 

[4x4junkie]

I think a better way to look at it is a deeper (numerically higher) ratio lets the engine turn at a faster RPM than a shallower (numerically lower) gear. This can affect MPG to some degree, but more often the deeper ratios are offered for better towing of trailers.

Under normal circumstances however, wind drag & the engine's horsepower pretty much dictates a vehicle's top speed, not the axle gear ratio. If you got say, 4.10s in it and it tops out at 95 MPH, going to 3.55s won't make it go any faster.