Gear Ratios, Robin may be able to help on this one ??

Kimba are asking ,you dont understand gear ratio general or just these ratio's ?

Quote - "The 33.66 figure overall is a little on the low side"

Don't forget that when you are comparing auto vehicles with manuals you have to add up to 2:1 for the torque converter. A torque converter adds to the torque multiplication just as mechanical gears do.

It's a pity that manufacturers do not specify what the maximum torque multiplication ratio is available in the vehicle just as they specify the torque multiplication ratios of the gear boxes, transfer cases and diffs.

Sorry guys for some reason I didnt get an email with these follow ups, just checked the thread and come accross them now.

Nick, just ratios in general. Its like when you hear some one saying that one vehicle has a heaps better low range then another, eg I find the prado is fairly good low range BUT if I was comparing it to my old 2.8D hilux, the hilux felt like it was heaps better in low range, eg would walk down the steepest hills and not have to use the brake where as the prados I have had/have even though are good no comparison to the hilux BUT all the prados have been auto but last one was diesel, the first prado was petrol, 2nd diesel (both 95 series) now 120 petrol auto,also my 120 has the 5 speed auto over the 4 speed auto. How would these figures compare to say Robins new petrol patrol ?? Not a toyota versus nissan crap thing, but is say the prado better in low range then say Robins patrol both been auto and both petrol ??? Is this where the gear ratio numbers come into play ??

Hi Peter I have heard some thing about been able to put in a cabin switch that you can flick on when in say low range 1st gear and is has some thing to do with the torque converter, more or less making it like a manual so will hold back better or am I mislead/misunderstood what I read ??

Regards Steve

Gooday Kimba ; gear ratio in general .
1: 340 = 1 turn to 340 turns . so in a diff 1:4.7 = 1 turn of the tail shaft to 4.7 turns of the axle = the bigger the number of axle turns ,the low the ratio .
but it comes back to how much house power you have = more power & auto will climb hills better than less power lower ratio ( in general ) I think I'm right in saying that . when going down hills in most autos they don't hold like a manual .
but there is nothing worse than no power and not a good low range !!!

Quote - "gear ratio in general .
1: 340 = 1 turn to 340 turns . so in a diff 1:4.7 = 1 turn of the tail shaft to 4.7 turns of the axle = the bigger the number of axle turns ,the low the ratio . "

I think you have this back to front. gear ratios for a diff would be 4.7:1 - the tail shaft turns faster than the axle. Also the motor turns faster than the tail shaft in the lower gears, the same speed in top gear and slower in overdrive.

Just in from another fun filled weekend and noticed your replies Kimba.

There is little difference between the Prado and Patrol in this respect - both are lousy.

I took this into account when researching cars and as soon as I got my Patrol I changed its low range gear increasing it by 48% , now its acceptable - note not good but acceptable

Hay Nom nav ; did I bugger that up or what !!!! 1: 4.7 = 1 to 4.7 !!! not that I have to worrie about that as I have landcruiser with real power ( cruiers rule) LOL