Re: impossibly low gearing

[bearbvd@domain.elided (Greg Hermann)]

>> 1:  find two identical ratio'ed two-speed electric Eaton rear axles off of
>> a light-line (yes, they were available!!), loadstar or S-series truck
>> to shift in tandem, and allow for operation just like on a big truck!
>> Plus, you can forget about breaking ring and pinions forever....
>
>I like it.  I really like it.
>
>Issues - every two speed rear end I've seen has had a low 4.X or 5.X as
>the HIGH range.. with 7s or something for the lows.  I guess with 35s or
>larger tires a 5.X series "high" rear end would be OK.. but for 33s, you
>can forget highway mileage.

Variety of ratios available, but none very tall.
>
>I haven't looked to see how large the Ring gear is.. but how much ground
>clearance would I lose?

Smallest one I know of is the two speed version of the RA-25--RA-30 pumpkin
from 1500' and 1600's---about a 14" ring gear.
>
>Can I get LOCKERS for these axles?  What good is a 150:1 crawl ratio if
>I get two tires in the air and I'm done for the day?

Dyneer (Detroit Locker) makes No-Spins for these.
>
>How much larger is the Ring & Pinion - and would the front diff starting
>hitting stuff?  If the axle tube diameter is much greater, it can cause
>problems with the oil pan as well.
>
>What's the unsprung weight??!!

Huge. (And forget about oil pan clearance!!)

Greg