Ford F-250 7.3 Gas Engine Axle Ratios
Is there much difference in towing milage, and around town/highway mileage with the new F-250 7.3 gas engine with rear gear options? Considering 3.55 or 4.30 axles ratios. Any input is helpful.
Forum Discussion
mich800 wrote:
There seems to be a common misconception about these higher gear transmissions. People seem to think these transmissions row through every gear sequentially under all circumstances. The big advantage is the ability to use different gear patterns based on load requirements. It is not just the bookend gears that make the difference. It is the ability to maximize fuel economy and performance under widely different acceleration and load scenarios.
Only the GM/Ford 10 speed and ZF/Chrysler 9 spds skip ratios. The 8HP70 ZF based Chrysler does go through every gear sequentially, even light throttle empty.
I think we're both making the same point (correct me if I'm wrong), which is when every gear ratio is used on a 10 spd, the rear end ratio becomes irrelevant. Except starting out from a dead stop as I mentioned above.
