5th or 6th gear?

[kthaxton]

I completely agree a 3.73 will get the load up to speed quicker and the 4.10 will be even quicker. But how much of your towing is getting up to speed? 1,700RPM's in 5th with 3.42 will pull the same as 4.10 in 6th at the similar speed and rpm.

Did someone say its only advantage is getting a load moving quicker?

3.73 will also keep the load moving easier.

Just to clarify....are you still defending your statement that 3.73's are "useless"?

 

[NIsaacs]

1,700RPM's in 5th with 3.42 will pull the same as 4.10 in 6th at the similar speed and rpm.

I can't find the silver lining in this comment. Every hill and load is different, as is everyone's different speed comfort level. Why waste 6th? The 3.73 will be turning 1850 rpm's here, the Cummins is not bound to 1700. With 3.73's the exhaust brake works better too.

Nick

 

[Cummins12V98]

I really don't care what gear ration anyone picks. I am giving MY real world experiences towing heavy with 3.42's and also even heavier with 4.10's. MY opinion is that the two gear ratios cover the spectrum very well. If I know I would never tow over 27K I would get the 3.42's for sure with the Aisin. At the weight I was towing I got GREAT mileage for the heavy load I was towing. Solo was the best it could be, any lower gears would have gotten worse. Anything over 27K the 4.10's will do the best job. Solo maybe not as good as 3.73's but who cares at this level of towing.

There is a reason these trucks have 6 speeds forward! USE them.

 

[kthaxton]

....and 3.73 would be a good compromise....while towing better than 3.42's

I am convinced that if you were using 3.73's, they would be the best gears ratio ever created. Just because you haven't used them, doesn't mean they are useless.


Not sure what the 6 speed comment is about. I don't recall anyone saying not to use all 6.....well, except you with using 5th with 3.42's when towing thing.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I guess the part about "MY OPINION" does not seem to matter.

You guys that have a problem with my OPINION have not towed HEAVY with both 3.42 and 4.10's as I have unless I have missed something. Getting like RV.net on here at times where people just want to argue.

 

[kthaxton]

I'm just seeking a compelling explanation as to why a gear ratio (3.73) between to others (3.42 and 4.10) that are deemed fantastic, can somehow be useless. It has no basis in logic....or fact.

That's just how it is on internet forums....say something outlandish, you're likely to get called on it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I guess Ford are being "outlandish" since for 2017 they are NOT offering 3.73's and are only offering 3.55 and 4.10's.

I speak from experience towing both ratio's. I stick by my "outlandish" OPINION 3.73's are of no use.

Towing with 3.42's up to 27K will give the best possible solo mileage and give great towing mileage as I have proven. From that weight up 4.10's will cover all other loads without any compromise and still get good towing mileage. But as you say I have "no basis in logic....or fact".

If you had 3.73's in your truck you would get worse mileage solo for sure. Towing if there was a difference it would be very little either way. Maybe you should spend the 4K to swap to 3.73's and then report back.

I think you would be more suited to the Cummins forum.

 

[kthaxton]

Anybody here with 3.73 want to chime in on the useless-ness of their trucks?

Ford is not being outlandish because they didn't say the ratio was "useless". By using your logical fallacy, one could then say they are indeed "useful" because Ram does offer them and Ford did use them. What to do???

I really don't understand how you can defend this.....it is a fact, 3.73 will tow better than 3.42's and the only ill-effect is likely an unnoticeable decrease in mileage. How is that useless? You could certainly argue it's not worth having a third gear ratio option, but to say it is useless is ridiculous, or did you use "useless" to be dramatic? "Not worth it" and "useless" are two entirely different things.

Again, I think you are confusing my stance here.....I am not advocating someone SWAP to 3.73's, but I am certain, those that own trucks with 3.73's would not say their trucks are "useless".

 

[6speed]

kthaxton-- What I was referring to was its not good to tow in 6th, but that was with the manual trans. They just get to hot. As far as the auto's I have no experience with them, but from what I heard and read whether its the Asian or the 68, just put it in drive and let it rip. It all depends on what gear you have and the weight you are pulling and what gear you want to run in.

 

[kthaxton]

....and I agree, I am not disputing anything in this thread (I didn't see any previous posts from you in this one....what am I missing?) other than the notion of 3.73's being useless.

 

[6speed]

kthaxton I thought you were referring to post 44 about using all 6 gears. Like I said earlier not a good idea with a manual when towing. I know from experience they get to hot without the proper cooling options

 

[R_Walter]

I'm an outside observer in this thread, but have owned many different trucks over the years with different rear ends including 3.54/5s, 3.73s, 4.10s and now a new one with a 3.42 rear end. I got to agree with the 3.73 being better than a 3.55 or 3.42 and not as good as the 4.10. Better or good for what? better or good for towing, hauling, RVs which is the title of this sub-forum. I know that will be defined and interpreted differently, but anyone who does tow heavy ought to have a pretty good idea of the definition. Now... fire away.

 

[BILLUA]

So what is the effective overall gear ratio with a 3.42 truck towing with "6th locked out" versus a 3.73 truck towing using 6th? if 3.42s were superior, why lock out 6th? It's not recommended in the owners manual is it? If the answer is that I can only drive 60-65 mph by law, then perhaps 4:10's would work better.

I had 4.10's in my '12. I ordered this truck with 3.73's because I run 70-75 mph while towing out west and this truck for me is geared perfectly.

I am in now way saying 3.73's are superior, they work for me.

I just find it ironic someone calls 3.73 useless when, he needs to "lock out sixth" to make HIS gear ratio work for him and declares it the best one.

 

[NIsaacs]

I guess Ford are being "outlandish" since for 2017 they are NOT offering 3.73's and are only offering 3.55 and 4.10's.

I speak from experience towing both ratio's. I stick by my "outlandish" OPINION 3.73's are of no use.

You can't debate any subject with the above logic. You might as well bring in a 2nd gen. to the mix.

Thanks, I am going to admit defeat

Nick

 

[promisedland]

time for coffee and doughnuts guys!

 

[MMeier]

time for coffee and doughnuts guys!

... or a room !!

 

[SnoKing]

So what is the effective overall gear ratio with a 3.42 truck towing with "6th locked out" versus a 3.73 truck towing using 6th? if 3.42s were superior, why lock out 6th? It's not recommended in the owners manual is it? If the answer is that I can only drive 60-65 mph by law, then perhaps 4:10's would work better.

I had 4.10's in my '12. I ordered this truck with 3.73's because I run 70-75 mph while towing out west and this truck for me is geared perfectly.

I am in now way saying 3.73's are superior, they work for me.

I just find it ironic someone calls 3.73 useless when, he needs to "lock out sixth" to make HIS gear ratio work for him and declares it the best one.

When you push the TH button, it does not shift into 5 gear with my 3.42 at the speed I tow. I have not tested to see what speed bobtail it will finally go into 6th in TH, but it is well over what I consider safe towing. 6th and 3.42 is the gear that people wanted for years, a 7th gear in the manuals and a 5th gear in the 47/48's. Now that we have it a bunch of people that do not even have SRWs are crying about the lack of it.

Get over it. 3.42's and the Aisin work well together. Disclaimer, 68RFE guys might cry about the higher 1st gear.

SNOKING

 

[kthaxton]

Hell, I'm still happy that my 68 has a lower 1st gear than the 727/46/47/48 trannies.

 

[SnoKing]

Hell, I'm still happy that my 68 has a lower 1st gear than the 727/46/47/48 trannies.

I think that was the whole point of a 6 speed verses a 3 or 4 speed. More gears on each end. The SRWs do not need more on the bottom even with the 3.42 rear end with the Aisin. Thus one can cruise at 80MPH at 1750 RPM in six gear. Moving rear end to 3.73 or 4.10 only brings all the gears down and a little closer for the overall final ratio, which just is not needed. After 7 months the 12K miles the only thing I would change is a front camera for pulling into a parking spot. SNOKING

 

[kthaxton]

I think that was the whole point of a 6 speed verses a 3 or 4 speed. More gears on each end.

Yes, and I'm quite certain that is the point.