3:73,s or 4:10,s ?

[thejeepdude]

I agree if you're towing 99% of the time, get 4. 10's. However, I'd say most of the people who hav to ask would be better off with 3. 73. It was a tough decision for me, but I'm glad I went with 3. 73. So far I have towed my 8. 5x20 enclosed car hauler over the sierra (12307' of climbing) many times with zero problems. I just set the cruise at ~60 and stay between the lines! With the trailer empty it doesn't even come out of overdrive. Loaded (about 9-10k) it will go to 3rd locked on a few of the hills but always maintains speed. On one of the long steep hills where it normally downshifts loaded I can floor it, gain speed, and let it shift back up around 70-75... as long as there are no cops around and I don't mind paying $$$ for fuel! I'm sure if/when I add a box and get some power it won't even have to downshift loaded. At no time have I wished for the 4. 10's with the '05.

 

[macdaddy]

sometimes I really get a chuckle reading some of these columns. Bertram 65

made an excellent point about wanting to keep the rpm's up. If your cruising @1700 and need the power ther is no way you will run with a guy who is cruising next to you @ over 2000. I would have to say a 6spd w/4:10's is the way to go if your worried about rpms put a gear vendor in and split 5th and 6th. If you want a truck, drive a truck, if you want to worry about rpms or 1mpg buy a volkswagon they get 55mpg. I made the mistake of getting 3:54 in my 2nd gen and 3:55 in my wife's van, their garbage, the 3:73 might be ok, but I will never own a truck again without 4:10's. Good luck

B Ferrara

Excellently put. I too have had both and until you tow heavy with both I guess it doesn't make sense. That being said I think allot of members are obsessed with fuel milage and are willing to trade acceleration performance for a couple of bucks saved in fuel. I personally don't care what kind of fuel milage my CTD gets, all I know it is worlds away from the old days of the GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 with the 454 gasser.



No flame intended.



Mac

 

[DPKetchum]

Or any other 2wd or 4wd gas v8 towing including a Toyota v8.

 

[macdaddy]

DP



I like you taste!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

 

[DPKetchum]

Good friend of mine towed a 2 horse Sooner trailer and a cargo trailer with a 350 Chevy. Hated it. Said it felt like it was gutted out all the time. Any how his DAD had a Toyota V8 whatever. Said there GREAT. He borrowed it for about 10 days. Said it was worse then the Chevy with worse fuel mileage. Couldn't figure out what the rave about the Toyota trucks was all about. Didn't like the power,brakes or the way it handled. Bought a new 03 2500 bright red,Laramie 3. 73 auto trans Dodge,48re,H. O. Any how its now got 90 thousand trouble free miles(P. S. hose and drivers lumbar replaced under warranty)same brakes,JUST did first set of tires and has told his Dad many times to go buy a REAL TRUCK. Said it will out run,out handle,out stop and gets better mileage pulling eaither trailer LOADED then the Toyota does not towing anything.

 

[macdaddy]

DP

I don't understand what the h*** these trucks are good for?. If you want economy why the V8? there's no room in them. Have you ever just walked in the bed of one of these things?,it sounds like your walking on rice paper. I just don't understand.



Mac

 

[Foxtrotter]

Go to the West Coast Differentials website. There is an RPM calculator that you can enter your transmission, tire size, speed and it will tell you RPM's at various speeds with diffierent gears. I went to 285/75 R16's in my second gen auto and ended up liking the change from stock 3. 54 to 4. 11's. It's a lot easier on the transmission especially if you end up doing mods down the road. big difference when towing my 3 horse trailer in the mountains of Washington.

 

[bulabula]

ERoss, I love my truck with 4. 10's and 6-shooter. Especially when pulling my lightweight 9k boat and trailer. Its a daily driver/boat puller. I went to order a Red 3. 73 truck, but she was sitting there waiting for me to buy her. And the rest is history.



Go order a 3. 73; but if she's sitting there waiting for you with 4. 10's - scoop her up and don't look back!



Doing the "back of the envelope" calculations; running 33 inchers at 75 mph w/slushbox:

4. 10: 2150 rpm

3. 73: 1975 rpm whats a 150'ish rpm amongst friends?



Fuel mileage delta's are negligible; if its such a big deal, forget the truck and get a VW TDI.



Whatever Dodge you buy - it'll put a silly grin on your face.



edit: I forgot: I'm on business right now in California, and the Taurus rental mobile I've got is getting lower mpg than my big girl ... ... ... ... . I prefer slender hips, thats why I got a SRW.