Opinion Needed!!!!!!

[CumminsPuller]

I currently have a 96' CTD, SLT, Club Cab, LWB, 2 wheel drive(up for sell)... . Looking to upgrade to a one ton..... I will be doing alot of pulling..... up to about 17000lbs. plus about 7000lbs of trailer... ... should i go for the 24 valve 5 or 6 speed... or should it be the H. O... . maybe even an automatic..... or should i stick with the 12 valvers 5 speed... ... Do I need to watch out for the 5th gear nut on all manual transmission's????? I will only be looking at used one tons. Thanks in advance to all.



Thanks



Jason

 

[klenger]

HO 6 speed 4. 10.

 

[Big A]

Both the 6 and 5 spd are nice, and I dont see a big difference in power. The extra gear in the 6 keeps the engine in the power band. But the 5 spd has a stronger clutch, and with a slight modification, will more than keep up with the 6 spd. Also, how fast do you like to pull. You really should'nt pull in overdrive. That should determine which gear ratio to go with.

Big A

 

[CumminsPuller]

So why did they make the 5-speed witha stronger clutch?

 

[Ron Bissett]

Think exhaust brake ,17000 lbs brake with stick 5or6 stay away from auto unless you plan on up grade to work with auto transmission about 3000$ to do it right. If you got the GO you need the Whooo exhaust brake is a must with a heavy tow save those brakes save your$$$ . Ask some folks that tow check around post some more questions . LOL Ron in Louisville KY

 

[Batman]

I tow a 10k lb 5er w/a DTT modified transmission. I will be putting an exhaust brake on this in the spring.

With that said. If you do alot of heavy towing, and don't mind the manual, I would go the manual route. I was in a rush to get my truck and wanted a manual , all they had were autos. A friend of mine has a highle modified cummins he uses to tow heavy (he's looking into getting a manul because of the weight)

HTH

 

[Happy Camper]

I had a 97 5spd and now have a 01 6spd both 3:55. With this rearend ratio there is too big of a gap between 3rd and 4th on the 5spd(IMO). I tow the same 5vr and the 6spd is nicer to pull with. I have a 30' Alpenlite 5vr. Do not know about the 4:10.

 

[RustyJC]

Trailer towing ratings:



Quad Cab 3500 ETH/DEE, 4. 10 - 21,500 GCVWR, 14,700 trailer tow rating



Quad Cab 3500 ETH/DEE, 3. 54 - 20,000 GCVWR, 13,200 trailer tow rating



Rusty

 

[Sixspeed]

BigA, when you say not to tow in overdrive. Do you mean with the auto or the 6spd. Because I tow in 6th gear all the time. At 70 mph I am turning 1900 to 2000 rpm. Which is right in the meat of my power band. If I am hurting somethig let me know.





Les

 

[RustyJC]

If you have 4. 10's like us, I guarantee that you will tow in 6th gear! 70 MPH = 2350 RPM in 6th!



Rusty

 

[Sixspeed]

RustyJC, I do have 4. 10 gears but at 70mph I am only at 2000 rpm. You say that you are at 2350 rpm. Does this mean that I have 3. 54 gears when I orderd the truck with 4. 10's. Does anyone know how to check what gear ratio is on the truck.



Les

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by Sixspeed

RustyJC, I do have 4. 10 gears but at 70mph I am only at 2000 rpm. You say that you are at 2350 rpm. Does this mean that I have 3. 54 gears when I orderd the truck with 4. 10's. Does anyone know how to check what gear ratio is on the truck.

Les,



If your true ground speed is 70 MPH and your true RPM is 2000, it sure sounds like you have 3. 54's! I just ran back from the LSTDR rally with Grandpappy - his truck is pretty much identical to mine except that he has 3. 54's, and in his truck 70 MPH = 2000 RPM.



Rusty

 

[Okie-Go]

My truck is for a fact 3. 54. ( Put locker in. ) I am at 2000 rpm at 70 mph.

 

[Gizmo 007]

I'm turning 2000 rpm at 70 with 3. 54. I also tow in sixth (light loads only).

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Ive towed over 20k throught the witchita mts in southern ok. All in 6th never fell below 70 maintained 80+ most of the way.



3. 54's and HO 6spd I still get 18-19 onloaded on the hwy.



I haven't found anything I can't pull off with.

 

[Sixspeed]

Does anyone know how I can check my rear end ratio. Can I mark my tire and driveline turn the tire 360* and count the driveline rotations? Or the other way around.



Thanks, Les

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

look at your tach. . in stock trim

70mph=<>2000rpm=3. 54s

70mph=<>2350rpm=4. 10s



hope it helps.

 

[GFoley]

1 - Check for a tag attached to one of the differential cover bolts,

2 - Check the build tag sticker, I have one under the hood that lists the gear ratio

3 - check the options data plate on the radiator support, DMF is the code for the 4. 10 ratio (at least on the 99s)

4 - the other way is to lift the rear and count rotations as menioned, one full tire rotation compared to number of times driveshaft rotates.

Glenn

 

[Todd T]

sixspeed,



look in your glove box, there is a sticker in there that should point out what gears you have.

 

[Cobra]

Sixsspeed

If you look in your glove box there should be a placard which tells you what gears you have. There is also a tag on the rear end differential cover. That one may be hard to see. You will need a wire brush on that one for sure. When you chage your rear end diff you can clean the tag and read it then.