what is the actual reason for the difference in axle ratios ..ft being a lower count? is it to (as I think to keep the geartrain from clashing and to have the front pulling slightly to give better steering) or what? :confused:

if you mean between front and rear axel then its because some axels dont have the same gear ratio choices, ive asked this before. so they run the closest they can. there is no real gain to this tho

also back in the day (like 50s i think) they did think it would help the steering

It goes either way, too.

I've seen 3.54 front, 3.50 rear, and 4.09 front, 4.10 (or 4.11) rear (both in Fords).

Yes, differences in available ratios for different axles.

I know this is old but I didn't want to start a new thread. What is considered a allowable difference between front and rear gear ratios? I am looking at gears for a project but the deepest gears I can find is 5.89 front and 5.83 rear. Is this to far apart to work together? What is the max difference you can run between the front and rear?

ok found this on true hi9's site dont know if it works for all axles but its what is stated on his site check here. http://www.truehi9.com/gears2.html

Edit: after some more searching i think you should be fine with that separation but more than that i dont know that i would run it. just my $.02

tha absolut max would be .1 and that would be a soft surface only truck, if you have a 203 t case you can get away with it but not for long. thats a lot for a high traction area, you will run the risk of seirious bindage. any more less than .05 is fine.

chevys ran 4.09-4.11 and with a 203 on the street you can realy whip that front end around, and with it locked up in the mud it makes for great donuts.

Is bindage a word? :D

Years ago, I am dating myself here-- I did 2 to 4wd conversions on what was called mini trucks back then. The Ford courier we did had 3.64s in the rear and 3.54s in the front. We never had any problems if the vehicle was run off road. There seemed to be enough slip in the dirt, rocks or whatever not to create bindage, hey it is a word!