3.21 vs 3.55
Ram has built a number of 1500s, 5.7 hemi's with the new 8spd trans. Some or most of them have the 3.21 gears. The tow rating is about 2,000lbs less than the same truck with 3.55s regardless if the tr...
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It's easy enough to figure it out. Just multiply the ratios to get a comparison:
8 speed with 3.21:
1st 4.71 * 3.21 = 15.12
2nd 3.14 * 3.21 = 10.08
3rd 2.10 * 3.21 = 6.74
4th 1.67 * 3.21 = 5.36
5th 1.29 * 3.21 = 4.14
6th 1.00 * 3.21 = 3.21
7th 0.84 * 3.21 = 2.70
8th 0.67 * 3.21 = 2.15
6 speed with 3.55:
1st 3.00 * 3.55 = 10.65
2nd 1.67 * 3.55 = 5.93
3rd 1.50 * 3.55 = 5.32
4th 1.00 * 3.55 = 3.55
5th 0.75 * 3.55 = 2.66
6th 0.67 * 3.55 = 2.38
I think the 8-speed will provide a noticeably better towing experience. It provides about 50% more torque in 1st gear and about 70% more in 2nd, which will get the load moving much easier. The 8-speed also has much better spacing. The 6-speed has a big jump from 1st-2nd, and a big jump from 3rd-4th, but the jump from 2nd-3rd is almost nothing.
-- Rob
8 speed with 3.21:
1st 4.71 * 3.21 = 15.12
2nd 3.14 * 3.21 = 10.08
3rd 2.10 * 3.21 = 6.74
4th 1.67 * 3.21 = 5.36
5th 1.29 * 3.21 = 4.14
6th 1.00 * 3.21 = 3.21
7th 0.84 * 3.21 = 2.70
8th 0.67 * 3.21 = 2.15
6 speed with 3.55:
1st 3.00 * 3.55 = 10.65
2nd 1.67 * 3.55 = 5.93
3rd 1.50 * 3.55 = 5.32
4th 1.00 * 3.55 = 3.55
5th 0.75 * 3.55 = 2.66
6th 0.67 * 3.55 = 2.38
I think the 8-speed will provide a noticeably better towing experience. It provides about 50% more torque in 1st gear and about 70% more in 2nd, which will get the load moving much easier. The 8-speed also has much better spacing. The 6-speed has a big jump from 1st-2nd, and a big jump from 3rd-4th, but the jump from 2nd-3rd is almost nothing.
-- Rob
