Drivetrain

Drivetrain: Getting Power to the Ground

Written by the PickupChain team · Last reviewed October 17, 2026

The drivetrain carries power from the transmission to the wheels: transfer case, driveshafts, differentials, axles and hubs. Clunks when shifting into drive, vibration that rises with speed or a whining noise from the axles are typical signs of worn parts.

Bigger tires change the effective gear ratio and make the truck feel slow and shift more often. Re-gearing the differentials to a numerically higher ratio, for example from 3.73 to 4.56, restores performance after a jump to 35 or 37-inch tires.

Lifts change driveshaft angles. Vibration after a lift often points to the driveshaft angle or worn U-joints. Carrier bearing drop kits or longer driveshafts are common fixes.

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