3.42 gears for TC

JRscooby wrote:

3 tons wrote:
“There's nothing magical about overdrive. It's just another gear ratio.”

Except, fact is that it reduces engine speed which helps compensate for numerically high rear axle - No magic is involved, just engineering and this is why overdrive exist, ‘nowadays’ there’s multiple overdrive ratios…

Can you explain how much different that is from shifting from 4th to 5th with the old 5 speed manual in the old F-5? Watching the dash, takes a big drop in RPM to make the shift.

However, much of this depends on where and if something is being towed - for a flatlander grocery-getter I’d easily go with the 3:42, but this is a slide-in camper forum and some campers (loaded…) are nearing 5k#, and some folks tow in the mountains…When crossing the Sierra’s on hwy 80 (not towing, but 5k Camper), even with a Dsl (800lb torque) I find myself occasionally downshifting from 6th to 5th overdrive - but that’s just me and I feel it’s negligent to make an engine lug…

3 tons

If the only RA ratio offered is 3:42 I would bet you will have no issue moving max GCVWR. Now if you are over the combination rating without a trailer, you might be disappointed.
You complain your snot downshifts on a hill? Why put transmission in there?
It takes a certain HP to move load a given speed. As grade increases, more HP is needed to hold the speed. Engine spinning faster makes more HP