2014 Ultimate 1 Ton Challenge results

The problem with setting gearing the same for all the competitors is that each engine makes different horsepower and torque curves. What may over or under shoot one engine at certain speed may be the "sweet spot" for another.

I have changed enough gearing in dune buggies to know that the very highest or lowest ratios usually will not get you the fastest speeds, but each will have its advantages. I gear my DW's buggy lower than mine, so she can crawl around without having the engine struggle with tall low end gearing knowing that she never nails the accelerator pedal for any length of time. For me, I found gearing that allows me to run a tall tire for clearance and speed or a short tire for creeping and crawling without having to change sprockets and chain length (yes, our buggies are chain driven). Although we have identical engines, I have a ported head and long duration cam so optimal RPM's are also different for us.

I am in agreement that each make should be able to send what they feel is their best set up providing it is something that can be ordered/purchased. With respect to apples to apples with these truck shoot outs, that comparison should be each brands GVWR or maximum towing capacity or appropriate spec. They all should be of the same cab/rear wheel/bed configuration. Why should it be our position to arbitrarily pick some performance option as a proxy for being equal.

Going back to the drag racing analogies just because they are easy. If you are in the 10 second bracket it is up to you to decide how to get there. Whether it is gearing, power adders, engine configuration is all up to you to on how you arrive there.

larry barnhart wrote:
To the earlier post if any truck says made in china it won't be sitting in my garage. Bad enough to see parts and tires with that listed on them. But it is our fault this is happening.
chevman

Delete

To the earlier post if any truck says made in china it won't be sitting in my garage. Bad enough to see parts and tires with that listed on them. But it is our fault this is happening.
chevman

travelnutz wrote:
bobx2,


"Uhh, maybe you should read the title of this thread.... DOH!!!"

Go easy on ib516 as he does have an obvious reading deficiency. Hijacking is his middle name when facts upset him and threaten his blind pom pom waving psychobabble. Just have some mercy for him as he needs it!

Now that is a truly fine, uplifting, professional, polite post.

goducks10 wrote:
Isn't it apples to apples? Using 3.73 or 4.10 in all would've delivered the same results. IMO they should all have the same rear gears and tranny gearing, that way you would really see which truck puts the power to the ground the best. But in the end it's really all about what they can tow. And that's where GM falls short in the HD segment and probably why they lack in 1 ton sales. It's a great light duty tow truck but when you really need to haul the big stuff you gotta go Ford or Ram.

There really is no absolute apples to apples because the transmission ratios are all different, but having all run 3.73 gears certainly makes sense in this case. If, however, the trailers had been much heavier it would have made perfect sense to run the gear ratio that the manufacturer recommends for that particular weight. If you want to compare trucks you compare what each manufacturer has to offer for your application. If Ram suggests that a 4.10 rear end is better for a heavier trailer than a 3.73 and Chevy says "we just offer a 3.73" then comparing the 4.10 to the 3.73 makes perfect sense for that heavier trailer application.

They all were running 3:73 gears and all had a six speed trans.

Nutz you're the last one that should ever make this statement " Hijacking is his middle name when facts upset him and threaten his blind pom pom waving psychobabble." The only time you ever post is to defend your lover GM/Chevy there buddy or talk $hit about anything Chrysler.

Don

Isn't it apples to apples? Using 3.73 or 4.10 in all would've delivered the same results. IMO they should all have the same rear gears and tranny gearing, that way you would really see which truck puts the power to the ground the best. But in the end it's really all about what they can tow. And that's where GM falls short in the HD segment and probably why they lack in 1 ton sales. It's a great light duty tow truck but when you really need to haul the big stuff you gotta go Ford or Ram.

Bedlam,

Good point! I sure wonder who will be owning Chrysler Corp next and building their vehicles? Perhaps China then the Ram will be labled Xam! Pronounced as "sham" haha

4x4ordr wrote:


These trucks are not designed for drag racing. 4.10 rear gears would put more torque to the rear axle but if the tires lack the traction to turn that into acceleration it's not going to buy you anything anyway. Chevy understands how different rear end ratio's are not all that important anymore, now that we have 6 speed transmissions. So, they save their customers all the confusion. Ford decides for you with their F450 and F350 dually. The idea is this: You are towing your trailer down the highway at 60 mph and hit a hill; say the hill is that steep that your engine only has enough power to pull it at 50 mph. The truck will slow down. If at 50 mph your engine can run at the rpm where it makes peak HP you had the perfect gears for that hill. Next hill maybe a little different gear ratio would have been better.

Absoloutly, the low speed stuff is where the gearing really shine. At higher speeds with higher gear the trans will just downshift. If a downshift isn't required the truck with the lowest gearing will have the easiest time moving the load.