What to order...4.10 or 3.73

[craiggo]

I know this has been discussed prior and I was planning on ordering with the 3. 73. However, I drove a 3500 CC last night at my local dealer and it had a 4. 10. I was sure I was going to order mine with the 3. 73 but I really liked the way this one drove. I will be towing a 9000 conventional travel trailer and plan on upgrading to a 5th wheel (prob not more than 13k. Most of my driving and towing will be flat land with occasional hills. For those of you with experience towing and everyday freeway driving, what do you suggest?



Thanks for the advise.



Craig

 

[Jim W]

I am running 3. 73's on my truck with no issue at all. I pull a 11K 5er with the 6 spd auto. I think if you order the auto then I would go with the 3. 73's if you order the 6 spd manual then go with the 4. 10's. From what I read on this forum that seems to be the best combination for both the manual and the auto trans.

I use my truck in day to day driving and the 3. 73's have given me better fuel mileage then the 4. 10's would have.

Other may state the same or different opinions.

Good luck on your choice.

 

[Simplysmn]

Well I don't pull that often but when I have it was Heavy and I have 410's with the 6 sp auto and love the power . Personally I think order what you feel best with on my truck empty running 75ish I can keep it about 2grand on rpm's and it has Plenty of pulling power past that point

 

[roberthall0]

I pull a 15k 5th-wheel camper (Mobile Suite) with an 06 that has a automatic transmission and 373 gears. We like to vacation in the Rockies and I have never had a problem. When the truck was new I never liked the way the transmission slipped when taking off up a steep incline so upgraded the transmission with a tighter torque converter and valve body. Those upgrades might not be necessary with the 68re transmission especially given that you don't plan on towing over 13K. I recently pulled an equipment trailer and tractor weighing about 10k to Florida. I went over Mt Eagle in 4th gear (high gear) at 60 mph. I have no complaints. It is my opinion that 410 gears might be marginally better when towing but certainly are not necessary and the truck would not get as good of fuel mileage.

 

[MMeier]

3. 73's should be more then enough for that little load . Are 3. 42's available on the new trucks ?

 

[rwitt]

I'd go with the 3:73's unless you will be towing the majority of the time. It's sure nice with the automatics double OD, you have 6th for running empty, and 5th for towing.

Rich

 

[DGamelin]

My truck has 373 and I wish I had 410's might even change them. I have a manual and I think the 410 would work even better with a double over drive auto. An over drive you can tow in 5th and 6th for cruising. With that tall over drive the 6 speeds auto's have, I would get 410s. There is less then 200 rpm's between them. You are not going to see any real mpg lose. But the mechanical deference will be there and your trans will love you for it when you go to a bigger rv. You can get a 342 now, that would have a mpg gain over the 410 but with a lot more shifting and your trans is going to work harder. Have fun with your new truck.



_________________________

93 250 2wd xc 342 auto 269k

04. 5 3500 4wd qc dully 373 6speed 94k

 

[craiggo]

3. 73's should be more then enough for that little load . Are 3. 42's available on the new trucks ?

Thanks for everyone's input. I was at the dealer yesterday confirming all the options and the rear ends that were available on his screen were 3. 55 (might have been 3. 42, 3. 73. and 4. 10.



It doesn't sound like mpg will be that affected by the 4. 10's. I sure with there was some way to have both that you could change with the flip of a switch.



Craig