Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 3:54 gear ratio to 3:73

[bjonesAZ]

I pulled a fifth-wheel 14,500lbs through out the Rockies with 10ply 265s @80psi and 105psi on the fiver with stock 3. 54 gears and 6-spd. I believe the tongue weight was about 2800lbs.



Fourth gear was the power gear on steep upgrades and it pulled at <750rpm 2nd gear on 180 degree switchbacks very steep uphill and gained rpm as the road straightened out. Typical fuel mileage was between 10-11mpg mountains.



Bob

 

[alaterreur]

I know I can pull my trailer. . I am just thinking of not putting soo much strain on my trans and clutch. . The trailer I have is a Carri-Lite (Not Lite) and combined with truck is almost 25K. . I dont know whats the tongue weight is, but when I put it on a Scale, The rear axle of the truck was 7400LB. have to put Nito tires because they have a higher payload than my Michelines.

 

[alaterreur]

Yes I know I need a 3500. But I love my truck and I am waiting for the kinks to be worked out on the 6. 7 and the new body style.

 

[MAllen1]

The answer is yes it can be done. I helped a friend change out his 00. I thought about changing my 99 to 3. 73's, but, I don't pull enough to do immediatly, so it's on the backburners ( i'd like RV injectors 1st). I would check on pricing first. I will look through my notes to see if I can find who I am going to go with and get back.

 

[WILLD420]

I have been thinking of swapping from 3. 54's to 4. 11's due to pulling a 37' 5th wheel in the mountains a lot. Around here our speed limits are pretty low and I cannot use the o. d. anymore unless I head south to Vegas or Arizona.

The 3. 54's are just too high to keep the rpm's up where they need to be to keep the transmission alive. I have plenty of power, but not too many places where it's legal to pull at 75-80 mph where the transmission likes to live.

I run 295/75/16 tires on my rig. I have run a set of 235/85/16's just to see what the truck liked, it was very happy, but wanted shorter tires or deeper gears. I think 3. 73's and 32" tires would be a very good match for peak pulling power at 60-65 mph.

 

[SnoKing]

I have the 265's, 4:10's and full DTT transmission. 2K RPMs is 63-64 MPH and I am in OD most of the time towing and very happy. Mountain pass in 3rd gear are comfortable at 2300-2400 RPMs. Would not trade my 4:10's. SNOKING