3.31 vs 3.73 gear ratio

[rjdelp7]

Fox body Mustang owners used to swap out the ring and pinion to 3.55 or 3.73, for better performance. My 2011 GT came with only 3.31 option. However, first and second gear are very low. All of the 1st Gen A4WD came with the 'tow' package. A hitch receiver, transmission cooler, bigger radiator and 3.73. $1500/48 months is $31/month more.

 

[16plati]

I just ran my 3.73 4x4 60 miles on the highway. I drove it 62mph and I drove it very easy, no hammering it, easy take offs, etc just to see how much MPG I could squeak out of it. It averaged 27.4MPG on this 60 mile trip. It was almost all highway, but I had numerous roads I stopped at and accelerated gently. My point is, even a 3.73 can do great milage if the driver can keep their foot out of the pedal!

I don't always drive mine like this, but I wanted to test it!

Yeah same 3.73s here. It’s all about the right foot..

 

[grumpyoleman]

It’s all about the right foot..

Ditto ... In the interest of "Truth in Advertising" there should be a dash between "Eco" and "Boost" because you can't have both at the same time.

 

[RhinoQuartz]

Yeah same 3.73s here. It’s all about the right foot..

Agreed a thousand times over. My Explorer gets 16mpg city, according to the sticker. I get 18mpg pretty easily.

 

[duneslider]

Its all relative. My jeep gets 17mpg with 5.13's and it got 15mpg with 4.10's. Of course when it was new on stock tires it got 19mpg with the 4.10's. If you buy something purely for a mpg number you will most likely be disappointed. My only thought is if you decide in 2 years you want to buy a boat, or a trailer, and you didn't get the tow package you might wish you had the appropriate gearing.

 

[TobyU]

Nope, not even close. Ten speed transmission makes the 3.73 diff irrelevant. I'm at 22.5 mpg this tank. Awesome.

Then you aren't doing entirely around town side road under 50MPH driving.

 

[RhinoQuartz]

Then you aren't doing entirely around town side road under 50MPH driving.

I'd be beating down the door of my local dealer if this gen of Expys had that mileage for sitting driving.

 

[Traditional]

I would think 2nd owners are going to be looking for 4 low. With how few Limited and Platinum come with tow package resale will be more than 1500 higher. I love the 3.73 gears pushing the max.

 

[Deadman]

I would think 2nd owners are going to be looking for 4 low. With how few Limited and Platinum come with tow package resale will be more than 1500 higher. I love the 3.73 gears pushing the max.

Exactly!

 

[tfw279]

I got the towing package to leave 11's on the road and not 1's!

- True Story