Gearing, what is it and why?

When adding larger tires to an off-road rig, it is often necessary to upgrade the gear ratio to compensate for the change in tire size. The reason for this is that larger tires have a taller overall diameter, which changes the effective gear ratio of the vehicle and can impact its performance.

A vehicle’s gear ratio refers to the ratio between the number of rotations of the driveshaft and the number of rotations of the wheels. With larger tires, the driveshaft has to rotate more times for each wheel rotation, which can result in slower acceleration and decreased power for climbing hills or pulling heavy loads. Upgrading the gear ratio helps to restore the original performance by compensating for the taller tire size.

The specific gear ratio that is required will depend on the size of the tires being added and the specific needs of the vehicle and driver. It is important to work with an experienced off-road mechanic or gear specialist to determine the appropriate gear ratio for your rig, taking into account factors such as the type of terrain you will be driving on, the weight of your vehicle and load, and the desired level of performance.

In general, it is recommended to upgrade the gear ratio when adding tires that are more than 3 inches larger than the original equipment tires. With larger tires, it is also a good idea to consider other modifications to your rig, such as upgrading the suspension or adding a lift kit, to ensure optimal performance and safety.