A question for the engineers & drivetrain specialists

[DrDuc]

If a person wants to lower gear ratios excluding a change to transmission gearing, it could be done in the transfer case, or in the front and rear differentials. Is one way preferable to the other? If so, what makes it the better option?

Thanks in advance for educating me.

 

[Marvelicious]

Transfer case is less expensive, but you only have a couple of options. Differential has many different ratios available.

On paper, whichever point you lower the ratio at, it makes the job of everything upstream easier: doing diffs means less load on the engine, trans, transfer case and drivelines. Doing the transfer case makes the job easier for the engine and transmission. Kind of a moot point in practice since 80 owners aren't twisting their drivelines apart or blowing transfer case output shafts.

 

[DrDuc]

Transfer case is less expensive, but you only have a couple of options. Differential has many different ratios available.

On paper, whichever point you lower the ratio at, it makes the job of everything upstream easier: doing diffs means less load on the engine, trans, transfer case and drivelines. Doing the transfer case makes the job easier for the engine and transmission. Kind of a moot point in practice since 80 owners aren't twisting their drivelines apart or blowing transfer case output shafts.

Thank you for that info.