Lee,
It is obvious we have a different perspectives on this and probably on life in general.
Huffed6 stated in his original post that approximately 50% of his driving in this car was on the freeway. Higher gears make "around town" driving and racing more fun, but make freeway driving a chore.
I currently own and drive vehicles that have gear ratios of; 2.73, 3.08, 3.55, 3.88, 4.12, 4.37, 4.56, 4.88, and 5.38. Every one of them have overdrive, which I do not believe Huffed6 has in his transmission.
Those above 3.55 (except the Willys P/U at 4.88) are VWs which are designed to run most efficiently at 3400 rpm.
The Willys has a 25% Warn OD which gives me about 3.66 when it is in use. That gives me about 2600 rpm at 65 mph. Since I typically shift at about 2300 it feels like I need to shift all the time I am driving on the freeway. Since this P/U is a toy and not my daily driver, I drive it when I am in no hurry or when I do not need to go on the freeway. In this case the 4.88's are a requirement because the vehicle is underpowered. It is an 85HP engine that makes it's max torque of 115 lbs ft at 1400. with more power I would not need nearly so low gears.
If Huffed6's car is a toy and not a daily driver, he can use lower gears and just deal with the noise, if it is a daily driver, then a more moderate gear ratio will probably be more useful.
To just say that gear ratios above 4 are better (and they may well be better, depending on application) and don't worry about the gas or any other ramifications does Huffed6 and everyone else who reads this post a dis-service.
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'98 Jeep Cherokee, 4.0
'56 Willys P/U, 226L
[This message has been edited by 4.0Jeeper (edited 04-12-2002).]
