Diesel Colorado/Canyon

The 6 miles up to Timberline from Government camp, is 10% or there abouts. I could do that in the 35-40 range with a 5 sp manual and a bone stock 96 6.5GM in 3rd gear, ie gear below direct. No complaining from me. I could do all the 6-10% grades in Yellowstone, 3000' higher, also in the 35-40 range. Issue I had with the truck, as Turtle points out, is the wide spread gears. If I had had 3.73 gears, or the NV5600, I probably would have been split between the max low speed of 48-50 in direct, and an easy cruise up the hill at 2600 or so rpm which was around 35-40 for me. I could go faster, but why redline it when I did not need or have to! My total was usually in the 14-25K range. My emanual rating was 12500. I pulled every bit as fast or faster at times as the auto version at the real gcwr of 14500.

Reality is, I would not be surprised if this combo in the 12-14K range total gcw is able to meet the 40-45 mi mph on a 5% grade!

Marty