Quote:
Originally Posted by LILRED66
Jacking/rotating wheels and going by the tag are not sure-fire ways to determine the actual rear-end gear ratio. Ring and pinion gears get changed over the years and the original tag may remain, so you may not know, for sure. Pulling the rear cover is a great reason to change, clean and service the rear differential, therefore you will know exactly what your ratio is.
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Tony, keep in mind the original post was a guy going to look at a truck, 3 hours away (see original post). Most owners would have a problem with the prospective buyer pulling the rear cover, unless said prospect buyer cleans the cover and case and then puts on new RTV sealant and fills the pumpkin back up with new gear lube for free. If that's the case, anybody want to come over and look at my truck?
(just kidding)
I agree that ring and pinion gears get changed over the years and the original tag may remain, so you may not know, for sure.
But rotating the tire and counting the drive shaft revolutions is a sure fire way to determine the rear gear ratio. It's a mechanical gear set, if you follow the directions there is no way it can't work. And for a prospective buyer, it's quick and accurate.
But you are right that the quick method won't tell you anything about the integrity or condition of the actual gears.