Ford Repair: Ford Excursion gear ratio question, ford excursion, fuel economy

Question
Using a 2001 Excursion, V10, 4X4 as a "snow mobile" by adding aftermarket "crawler tracks"    Insuficient power.  Changed gear ratio to 4:11.  Almost enough power but TERRIBLE fuel economy.   Question:  Would a 2004 6.0 Diesel with a 3:73 limited slip axle perform as well or better than my V10?  Please describe.  Thanks.  Charles

Answer
Charles-

  The short answer is "probably".  The slightly longer answer is that a diesel is going to make most of it's power (and a ton of torque) very low in the rpm range which is where you'd want it to be to get through snow.  Plus a 3.73 rear gear isn't too bad to get the revs in the right place quicker.  But still, the diesel's biggest advantage is the torque...especially in a vehicle as big as an Excursion.  Hope this helps.

Steve