Why 4.1 axle?
I tow an 8000 pound trailer with a GMC 2500 with 6.0l engine, 4 speed transmission, and 4.1 axle ratio. I rarely need 3rd gear on the highway; only on steep hills. For my next truck, why not get si...
Forum Discussion
solismaris wrote:
My reasoning is I can just use a lower gear if necessary. With the new 6-speed transmissions now common there should be plenty of gears to chose from. If that would work, why suffer the lower economy of the 4.1 ratio when I'm not towing?
It depends !
Many of the >4 speed automatic transmission just space the gear ratios closer together and do not increase the range. In this case, you would still need the 4.10 rear axle.
Take the 1st gear ratio of your current transmission and multiply it by 4.10. Then take the 4th gear ratio and do the same. That is your effective range.
Do the same for the new transmission and compare the results. What you want to see is if 5th or 4th gives you the range yiu had before.
My old E150, 4 speed, (retired from any long haul towing) came with a 3.73 instead of 3.46 was a good combination for what I was towing.
