I didnt have to get the B&W hitch from chavy, There are other aftermarket hitches to get or install yourself. I have a welding shop, considered making my own mounts for some other brand, the math for savings just didnt add up.
The 4 puck system is easier for install and removal than this goose ball socket mount as the 4 puck doesnt require any wrenches, is lighter and lifts freely. To remove the Companion takes a chain hoist or pry bars and a buddy.
I am not a fan of the bed height, I' m 6' , trim and in good health, but it takes a step to reach in to work the hitch or any cargo. I now carry a 3 step folding step. A milk carton used to be plenty.
Trannys were huge improvements for any engine, my first was a pontiac 2 spd behind a 389 super duty in a '65 GTO. Gearing allows tighter shifts, locking converters, lower rpm at lighter loads.
In the early '70s I drove farm grain trucks with 318 detroits with 15 spd. roadrangers and Macks with 4x 4 16 spd.
Regardless of engine the reason is to keep the machine in the power band at its most efficient for the task. Thats why I reported that the new truck only shifted down into the next best gear to maintain that torque , same as a semi driver would do.
The LBZ with its 6 spd was a great improvement over our '98& '03 4 spd behind the troubled GM 6.5 s
Heres another new tidbit concerning gearing and mileage. The new truck with 3.42 diff. and 18" wheels has the dmax spinning at 1275 rpm @ 60 mph.
The '07 with 3:73s and 16" tires spun at 1500 rpm @ 60 mph
Many times I monitored fuel mileage, empty, loaded, heavy, into head wind or with a tail wind. I now have done enough of that to report the new truck is 5-15 % more efficient on fuel than the '07. I attribute a lot of it to the tranny. I recently attained a 21.7 mpg 100mi. rd trip that the '07 old trucks best was 19.3 with 10 % city, 90% 55- 65 speed zones with lots of hills.
My Pappys 1977 3500 454 gassers 3 spd. best was 11. 5.5 towing 12k
