I don't have all the exact numbers on all the final drive ratios so I'm not going to state anything specific as fact. I will just say that the rear axle ratio is not the only ratio that is important when deciding how hard an engine is going to work to pull a load or how many rpms it's going to run cruising on the highway. It is a combination of the rear axle ratio and the gear ratios in the transmission that matter. So it is conceivable with the newer trannies and their 6 speeds that you can get a lower overall final drive ratio with a vehicle that has taller gears and end up with a truck still able to start off with heavy loads and still get respectable fuel economy when cruising.
Having said that, I think that this design is prevalent in all manufacturers GM, Ford and Chrysler. It looks like the test was fair as Ford took the tallest gears available from each company when they conducted their test. It isn't Ford's problem that GM and Dodge didn't have the option of 3.31 gears on their trucks. The tallest gears that you could get with a GM was 3.73 at the time I believe while 3.42 was as tall as you could get in a Dodge. I think what is being presented is that if you want to get the best fuel economy the Ford offers a taller gear ratio for the rear axle that is still capable of pulling a heavy load. I wish GM offered a 3.42 ratio for their Duramax equipped trucks but it appears that at the time of the test they didn't, so I can't fault Ford for that, and I like GM trucks. I think it would be a less fair test if Ford compared one of their trucks equipped with a 3.31 rear axle against a Dodge and a Chevy with 4.10's knowing that a lower gear ratio was available, but that does not appear to be the case here.
In the end just because Ford has an edge in some areas, it doesn't mean that they make the best truck for me. Perhaps GM or Dodge have the edge in other areas and the advantage for me in those areas make another truck the overall best. To me the new Ford is not a good looking truck, it's not so bad that I wouldn't buy one just based on looks (like a Pontiac Aztek for example) but it is by far the least attractive 2011 heavy duty pickup in my eyes. Meanwhile Dodge is the best looking truck by far to me over Ford and Chevy but if I'm buying a 2011 I want a truck with urea injection as it seems to significantly improve fuel economy, so that's a strike against Dodge to me. Meanwhile I live in the Northeast where there's a lot of snow, and GM has had some serious issues with their Duramax in the snow so if that hasn't been totally addressed for 2011 then that's a big strike against them to me. So I guess what I'm saying is Ford, GM or Chrysler can jump up and down shouting horsepower numbers or towing numbers or mpg numbers whatever and those numbers don't mean a darn thing by themselves. The only FACT is that there is NO BEST PICKUP on the market. There may be a best pickup for Lt CHEG, and a best pickup for DMace and a best pickup for Diamond Pilot etc. etc. and most likely they are not the same truck. To me arguing numbers over any one vehicle proves little, especially considering just how capable and impressive each company's trucks are. I honestly don't let any person's brand preference or their defense of the same bother me, and it's sad to see people getting angry over the subject. I've had good luck with GM products but I have NO loyalty in this day and age, just like no company has any loyalty to me. I'll buy what's best for me regardless of whether there's a bow tie, a blue oval or horns on the front of the truck and it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if that truck isn't the best truck for anyone else.
