What is meant by a lower ratio rear end?
Ratio relates to the gears in the differential. A gear ratio is expresses as a number, which basically means the number of turns required on the input to get one turn on the output. For instance 3.43 means the driveshaft turns 3.43 times for every time the rear wheels turn once. The higher the number, the lower the ratio of the gear. This means the engine will turn faster, in relation to the speed of the vehicle. A 3.73 ratio gear is said to be a lower ratio than a 3.43 gear. Perhaps over simplified, lower ratios produce more torque and pulling power. Higher gear ratios slow the engine, in relation to vehicle speed and can give better fuel economy and perhaps a higher top speed.
