Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 4.10's & engine wear???

[bkroupa]

A few weeks ago I bought a 1998 2500QC 2WD LWB 12v 5speed LSD & 4. 10 gears.



I thought I'd hate the 4. 10's & that they'd kill my fuel mileage, but In 6 refills the worst two were driving 75mph back from Alabama to Texas at 19. 3 & 18. 6. My to & from work is mostly hwy & my worst fillup of the 4 since I got it home has been 20. 3mpg. I set the cruise at 65mph (local speed limit) & it's all flat level ground.



I average 600-700 miles per week running empty & pull a 7500lb travel trailer about 14 times a year for ~500 miles at a time.

I plan to add an 11plate & kill the cat but not too much else.



Does turning that many more RPM running empty really cause much more engine wear? I had planned on a 3. 55 swap or taller tires, but the 2 mpg or so gain may not be worth it unless I'm adding engine life. I'm considering taller tires, but these have 20k or so left.

 

[JGheen]

I used to run my engine @ 2800-2900 when going cross-country for hours on end, empty. It will not hurt anything at all except fuel mileage. That's what redlines are for, you stay below them the engine will run forever, you bump the redline or go over it the engine will not last as long. Another reason why these engines last so long, they only turn 2000 rpm on average. Compare that to a gasser spinning twice or three times that on average. They only last 150,000 to maybe 200,000 if your lucky and you kept up on your maintenence.

 

[Joe G.]

If you do get more engine wear for the 4. 10 gears the engine may only last 900k miles instead of a million. I don't think there is anything to worry about.

 

[JGheen]

Engine wear occurs in every engine regardless, it is just a characteristic of metal riding on metal. But again, the more you push the rev limit and cylinder pressure(as in adding more fuel or boost which loads the rings and cylinder walls more than stock) your going to get wear. Just varies from engine to engine.



That was a pretty funny statement, Joe G.

 

[bkroupa]

My gasser mentality makes me feel like I'm abusing it running 2500-2600 @ 70mph when running empty. That's why I was asking.

I have not pulled our trailer yet, that may make me a believer in 4. 10's.