DaveInDenver
Middle Income Semi-Redneck
You answered exactly the question I had. Thanks! I want to say that I can't imagine how they'd get away with no low range but I know why it can be.They increase the gearing range a little, but it's more for MPG than anything else. By comparison, the transfer case on my truck is a 2.64:1 ratio.
Comparing a F150 10spd 3.73 to my Tundra, the overall gearing is:
F150: 1st = 17.5
Tundra: 1st = 14.3, 1st Lo = 37.8
So 1st on the F150 is still over twice as high.
I used to wonder why they stopped putting locking hubs on trucks, what with the potential increase in MPG you'd get removing that drag. Oh, yeah, there's probably some marketing angle about a night on the town and getting your tuxedo soiled.
But I came to the conclusion that perhaps the more likely reason is if they didn't spin the diff ring gear with one side the condensation and lack of lube would be a warranty nightmare from the seized and rusted gears inside. 4WD truck owners used to know to lock them in periodically, or just actually used them enough...