8.1 versus 6.00

TomG2 wrote:

RCMAN46 wrote:
The 6 speed transmission has made the difference between rear gear ratios less important. Pick the gear that best fits what the truck will be used for most. If most miles are unloaded or towing miles on relativity flat ground the 3.73 will be ideal.

If you get in a position that you can not get going in first gear and have a 4x4 it is simple. Select low range and you will tear the tires off of the wheels before you run out of enough torque to get moving.

Totally agree. In fact, you may find that 4th gear with the 3.73 gives a better cruising speed than 5th with the 4.10 ratio. I built a lot of roads and none even approached being at a 30% grade. Some may have seemed like they did.

You have not been up Queen Anne ave on the north side in seattle, that is 24.5%....I measured it! had a client with a 33% driveway. Built a set of 6rise, 18" run steps alongside the drive way.....Steep grades are out there!

A 18wheel moving van went from Louisiana as the driver comment one time, 60 up here to seattle, got to with half a mile of home, stalled out on a upper teen low 20% grade, Could not get to the home. Had to call in smaller trucks to unload, so he could lose enough weight to get up the hill to the home.

Freeway grades are not an issue, only in that do you have enough hp to pull them at a speed you want to go. As long as you are moving, you have the hp to move. Stop on hill, that is torque time overall low ratio. 4lo helps at times.....but if it has switch backs, you may blow up a drive train depending upon how long it is. There are plenty of roads here in the lower puget sound region that have signs at top or bottom saying grades in the 15-20% range.

Marty