F350: 4.30 or 3.73 Gears
Very close to ordering a new F350 SRW 6.2 engine, long bed, rear wheel drive, crew cab. Tow a Grand Design Reflection 27RL. Pin weight 1900 lbs and trailer at 9000 lbs (both scaled weight, fully pac...
Forum Discussion
Grit dog wrote:spoon059 wrote:SolidAxleDurango wrote:
He will be cruising at higher RPMs with the 4.30.
I'm extrapolating a little bit, and didn't clarify. With the 4.30 gears and being able to stay in 6th gear, he will have lower RPM's than with 3.73 and being in 4th or 5th gear.
First, too many people, whether gas, diesel, Bow tie, blue oval etc worried about or trying to tow heavy in 6th gear, double OD. the 2nd OD in all these newer transmissions is a cruising gear for light weight highway travel.
That said, get the 4:30s with the gasser. It'll hold 3rd longer going up hill with a decent load hooked up. Both my 3.73 6.2 Fords will hit 2nd gear screaming on grades, every time. 5krpms plus every time to maintain normal hwy speeds of like 55-60mph.
And the 6.2 gas mileage is nothing to write Ford a thank you note over anyway, so if the truck is more hauler than daily driver get the 4.3 gears. Ain't going to make much difference on mileage.
If it is true that 6th and 5th years are not for towing it would seam to me the 3:73 would be the better choice as you will be using 5th and 6th gear less than if you had the 4:30 gear.
And if it takes 5000 rpm to pull your load at the speed you want it will always take 5000 rpm to pull that load at that speed regardless of the rear end ratio. It just will require a different transmission gear.
