D60 gear ratio...drag vs street

[elacruze]

Since I have to disassemble my D60 to reset the gears, I'm considering changing ratios. I'm going touring this summer and the D60 is 4.10 gears-even with the GV overdrive, I'd like less for long distances. So I bought an 8-3/4 pig, all new Yukon with an ARB air locker (craigslist, cheap) I was going to build an 8-3/4 axle around that and install for the tours, then sell it afterwards.
Now I'm wondering if I should save all that trouble and change the D60 to a more accommodating ratio.

Here's the real question-What's the best ratio at the Strip? With the Gear Vendors, I'm sure the 4.10 is plenty at the strip, but would 3.73's be too much?

Who's used what and wished for more/less? Engine Combos? Auto/Manual?

Opinions? Maybe I'm way over analyzing.

[six-tee-nine]

If you have a gear vendors unit then whats wrong with a 4.10 gear?

I'm still debating with myself on the same subject. I already decided I wont go higher than 3.73 (it's that or 3.55)
My engine will be a 512 stoker in front of a 4 speed.
I'll be driving on the highway no more than 10 times a year I guess so why do I need a cruising gear? and afterall a good stroker build has anough ooompf to light the tire up with a 3.73

[mauve66]

how can 4.10 be "ok" but the 3.73 "too much", the 3.73 will cruise better than the 4.10 will

[69rtse4spd]

Had a Dana built with 3.73s, took out the 4.10s, just to be able to cruise a little better. Down the road want to convert to a Hemi 4-spd with a Passon overdrive gear cluster set, need to see if they have the sets in stock. Would love to get the new 5-spd. set up, but for what I plan on doing, gear set & a little taller tier should get me were I want to be. But, will stop at Carlisle on the way to N.Y. this year,  will have the old plastic with me so you never know.  .

[elacruze]

how can 4.10 be "ok" but the 3.73 "too much", the 3.73 will cruise better than the 4.10 will

I was thinking of drag strip performance, with slicks. The overdrive would make nice out of the 4.10's, but with 505" I could back up a set of 3.55's to 2.73.

[BIGBLCK11]

I am running 3.73/489 case/truetrac with mild 383/727 auto, going to 833 std ratio 4 spd soon.  Just street use.  I really wanted to go 3.91's, but I think the 3.73's are just right.  Plenty of bottom-end  and not winding out like crazy on the top-end.  I don't see highway much at all with it, if so the 3.55's would be better, but you have the OD.  Even with my mild build, it woke the car up from the 2.76 open.

[Mike DC]

4.10 with a Gear Vendors 22% overdrive is only a "tall" gear by musclecar restoration standards.  If you drove a modern vehicle with ratios like that you would think it's pretty short. 

[elacruze]

I guess I'll just carry on with my original plan, I just have to come up with a B-body 8-3/4 housing.

[firefighter3931]

Tire diameter comes into play as well. I run 4.10's with 295/65/15's and it's just under 3000rpm @ 60mph. I don't do a lot of hwy driving but those rpm's wouldn't concern me.  

I would think a 3.73 with a GV overdrive would be a nice compromise.  

Brian Shaughnessy is using 3.73's with his TKO 5 spd and really likes them 


Ron

[Ghoste]

I have a similar setup and feeling about my own application as Firefighter.  But in your case with the big stroker, a little less gear will likely still be fine.  You may not see your ultimate et with it but how often do you paln to drag race it versus highway cruising?  You already know the 505 is going to crush most of what you run against.

[elacruze]

Tire diameter comes into play as well. I run 4.10's with 295/65/15's and it's just under 3000rpm @ 60mph. I don't do a lot of hwy driving but those rpm's wouldn't concern me.  

I would think a 3.73 with a GV overdrive would be a nice compromise.  

Brian Shaughnessy is using 3.73's with his TKO 5 spd and really likes them 


Ron

Ron, what's your 1/4 mile peak RPM?

[Rolling_Thunder]

I ran a 3.91 gear with a 440 4-speed -- didnt like it much on the freeway.

I've ran a 3.55 with a 5-speed and it was laggy due to the 383 i was running when i wanted to pass people on the freeway

Ran the 3.55 with the 5-speed behind a 440 and it was a lot more fun...         still waiting to see what its like with the hemi.

[firefighter3931]

Tire diameter comes into play as well. I run 4.10's with 295/65/15's and it's just under 3000rpm @ 60mph. I don't do a lot of hwy driving but those rpm's wouldn't concern me.  

I would think a 3.73 with a GV overdrive would be a nice compromise.  

Brian Shaughnessy is using 3.73's with his TKO 5 spd and really likes them 


Ron

Ron, what's your 1/4 mile peak RPM?

With the old 446 the trap rpm was ~5600-5700 @ 116mph @11.70's ET

I shifted at 6k on the 1-2 & 2-3


Ron