Tow gears

[apkole]

When I ordered my 99, I spec'd 3:54 gears and the dealer agreed. I didn't own an RV at the time and anticipated little or no towing. The dealer almost never ordered 4:10s for his diesel customers. Well... . here we are 2 years down the road and ...
The truck runs great and has all kinds of oomph for towing at 2100-2200 rpm. But that engine speed put me well over the 70 mph speed limit and if I get behind any one slow going into an uphill situation, ground speed drops off dramatically. Oh, I can hold 60 or so, but we're out of over drive and the tach is showing about 3000 rpm. I've read some back issues of the TDR, and there are a couple of articles. Any further comments would be appreciated.
Andy

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1999 2500 4wd std cab, Rhino liner, Boss 8' front & custom 7' rear blade for snow removal
1991 W250 4WD 155k mi same as above for plow set up

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMmmm - you say in 3rd gear you are at 60 mph @ 3000 rpm? Jeeze, that seems pretty high RPM for that road speed/gear... I sure can understand NOT running in OD pulling a load in steep grades, but that rpm is a killer!

On your other truck, is your '91 an early or late model? What's the differential gear ratio? My early '91 is 3. 07, and in top gear (A/T), I would guess rpm is at around 1700 at 60 mph - I know that pulling 8000 lbs up a 7% grade at 65 mph is no problem - elevation about 3500 ft...

No particular help for your problem, just material for comparisons...

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http://community. webshots.com/user/davison71 Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

 

[Guest00]

What transmission do you have ??? It is not in your signature.

To quote the former pres "I feel your pain".
I have just installed a Gear Vendors overdrive to eliminate that very same problem. The over drive gives an equivalent of approx. 3. 18 final. This will lower your 3rd gear rpm at 75 to approx 2400 rpm for hill climbing.
If you want the cheap way out you can get 3. 7 diff. gears and an interface box for the speedometer. If you want to go with an over drive the Gear Vendors will give you the same effective gearing and will also give you a double od for running m/t. approx 1600 rpm in 4th ( automatic )+ GV od at 75 mph. The GV unit can be shifted at WOT, USGear can not. GV has a od lockout when you shift into 4 wheel drive. If you have a stick the USGear unit might suit you better as it can be used in 4x4 mode, high or low range: GV is just for 2 wheel high range and not low range but better suited for an automatic.
Edit: if you have a stick there were a couple of used USGear units for sale in the want ad section of the TDR site. just a thought.


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2K, 2500, Quad, SB, 4x4, 3:54LSD, A/T, REESE 15k 5th slider, EASLEY BULL BAR, MAAP NERFS, BFG-TA's, 9000's,TORQUS MAXIMUS 505 lbft ECM, stealth DD2's, Bully Dog Boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro, boost & transmission, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC,TC SAVER and AUX COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, AFE filter, GEAR VENDORS OD onboard. Taylor Wing on order
pullees:
#1 y2k ARTIC FOX 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA-LIFE, VFW-LIFE, SoCSA-LIFE, SASS



[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 03-26-2001). ]

 

[apkole]

Well, I'm headed out for Pensacola, Fl for a week or so. Dealer reprogrammed under the hood this winter so will check for better performance. Will also check for rpm at speed. I was trying to remember what I observed towing last summer and I probably disrememberd. They say that two things go as you age: Short term memory and ,ah, hmmm, ah, ----I can't remember the other. At 47 I feel it slippin' away already. Too much stress plowing snow and falling off roofs accelerates the process. Read some other posts regarding turbo issues and keeping clamps tight. Will do an underhood inspection before heading out. Thanks for your input, and where does everybody come up with all the green for these mods?? Dealer made no mention of being independently wealthy as a pre-req. for owning these trucks.
Andy


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1999 2500 4wd auto 3. 54 difs, std cab,forest green/driftwood Rhino liner, Boss 8' front & custom 7' rear blade for snow removal
1991 W250 4WD auto/no od. , 3. 07 difs 155k mi same as above for plow set up

 

[Big A]

Andy,
I would make sure that the TC is locking. I have the same setup as you, and I know that if I shift down out of OD with a load,I have to ease back into the throttle, to get the TC to lock up. Running 60 at 3rd gear,sounds unlocked to me.
Big A

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'99 3/4 24 valver Quad,auto,KN stock, westin powder blackpushbar,autometer sportcomp

 

[Guest00]

Originally posted by apkole:
Dealer made no mention of being independently wealthy as a pre-req. for owning these trucks.
Andy

[/B]

It's in the fine print that says this truck is not set up to do the job as equiped from the factory.