Truck for arctic fox 1140

hrose wrote:
Thanks for the answers guys i apreciate.

@nGaMountains, did you ordered it with the camper package ? Or did you took some special features ?

I special ordered the truck. I did order the camper package, and ended up deciding on a 3.73 axle. The other choice with the 6.2L was a 4.30, which after doing the math to figure RPM in gears based on the trans gear ratios I decided was too much, considering our load and likelihood of running hundreds of miles in flatlands vs occasional mountain passes, etc.

The 1140 will be too heavy for a SRW unless you make upgrades to the wheels and suspension.

If you do not plan to tow anything more than 3000 lbs, the 3.55 gears will be fine. Towing heavier will result in you driving mostly in 5th gear and downshifting to lower gears on grades unless you are on flats with no headwind. If you drive faster 65 mph with your truck camper, the 3.55 gears may get you better mileage. Driving empty will get you better mileage with 3.55's.

4.10's will give you a lower first gear in addition to top gear which helps on steep terrain or difficult campsites. You will be able to drive in 6th gear more often and use the full range of the transmission but may find it winds too much if you have heavy foot on the go pedal.

I rarely drive my truck faster 65 mph unless it is rolling down a gentle grade and have my gearing selected for my driving style and combined weight. Figure out your usage and gear appropriately.

Thanks for the answers guys i apreciate.

@nGaMountains, did you ordered it with the camper package ? Or did you took some special features ?

Next year we're gonna hit the road for 1 or 2 month so i guess ill be doing lot of highways but after this trip ill only use it to go boondocking in the wild so i guess the 4.10 is a better idea

If you're like me and will be carrying a camper and not towing much, you might want to at least consider the truck with the 6.2L gas instead of the diesel. On top of the purchase price premium and general increased maintenance burden of the diesel, reading about the potential of the CP4 high pressure fuel pump to grenade and cause up to five figures of collateral fuel system damage pushed me over the edge to gas. It may not be right for you, but thought I'd throw it out there as I just ordered a new F-350 last week. Good luck whatever you decide!

It is really a misconseption that a 4.10 will give worse mileage than a 3.55. It still depends on motor and transmission ratios. What is the RPM when in the middle of the motors torque curve? Generally speaking I have found that my Cummins is happiest at around 1800 RPM at 70MPH. That is with a 6 speed auto and a 4.10 rear end. At that my dually winds up returning around 18MPG. Towing a 13,500 pound fiver I can cruise all day at the speed limit with cruise control set. Could I do the same with a 3.73 or a 3.42 rear end? Probably, could I get the same fuel economy? Who knows. All I know is my motor is happy running at 1800 RPM.

I would suspect it depends on what kind of "Camping" you'll plan on doing.

On the highways mostly, paved, I'd probably go with the highest for gas mileage.

If Boonie camping, dirt roads I'd probably go for the 4.10 (it's what I have now) for the lower gearing for dirt roads etc. I get apx 9.5 mpg, I don't know just how much difference the 3.55 would make, but guessing some on the highways.

Not much help, but something to think about...
If I were to choose again, I'd probably stick with the 4.10 and suck up the mileage loss if any..

I "Try??" to cruise around 63-65 mph.. heheh, doesn't happen all the time.. but that's the goal..

Hope that helps, congrats on the new 1140, fun...

We have the 3.55 and have towed 18000 pounds on our toy hauler up some steep hills with no difficulty. I don't think you'd need more rear end with the 6.7.