Ford V-6 beats v-8's in towing competition

[slowzuki]

Exactly, with 6 speed autos and lockup torque convertors, you get low gears, two over drive ratios, and a torque convertor to somewhat split gears (I know not really but sort of).

If you have an older 3 spd or even 4 spd auto, those aux gearboxs can be great to help improve the range of gearing available, but they aren't for everyone, and a modern transmission is a whole lot nicer option.

The idea of a 2 speed axle in light duty trucks was toyed with a long time ago. But there are a few reasons why it was never implemented; cost, weight, few folks understood or knew how to use it, North American customers were into automatics, and with overdrive and torque converters, it's kind of a waste.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The idea of a 2 speed axle in light duty trucks was toyed with a long time ago. But there are a few reasons why it was never implemented; cost, weight, few folks understood or knew how to use it, North American customers were into automatics, and with overdrive and torque converters, it's kind of a waste.

I think it could work with the modern automatics. Have it all controlled by the trannys CPU so that there was no driver input. This should prevent improper *****. Have it so that its locked in the lower ratio when in Tow/Haul mode.

Chris

 

[slowzuki]

Why though? Its easy to just have a low 4:1 first gear in a auto and fill in the gaps with more speeds of a 6 speed, and a little beefier driveshaft to take the torque. Even in std's they have the nice 6:1 low gears and double OD gears, well had, they are pretty much done for in light trucks now.

Shiftable rear ends were just a way around transmission limits that aren't there now.

I think it could work with the modern automatics. Have it all controlled by the trannys CPU so that there was no driver input. This should prevent improper *****. Have it so that its locked in the lower ratio when in Tow/Haul mode.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Why though? Its easy to just have a low 4:1 first gear in a auto and fill in the gaps with more speeds of a 6 speed, and a little beefier driveshaft to take the torque. Even in std's they have the nice 6:1 low gears and double OD gears, well had, they are pretty much done for in light trucks now.

Shiftable rear ends were just a way around transmission limits that aren't there now.

I see what you are saying. Look at the new trannys in the trucks, my Nissan Titan is a great example. It has a these gears in it.

Transmission gear ratio (1st) 3.83
Transmission gear ratio (2nd) 2.37
Transmission gear ratio (3rd) 1.52
Transmission gear ratio (4th) 1.00
Transmission gear ratio (5th) .83
Transmission gear ratio (reverse) 2.61

But with a high low rear end you effectively double your gear selection. That would be very nice on a grade or even just with light loads on flat land.

We will never see it as mentioned before but it will work. Companies like Gear vendors did basically that to many of the early 12V Dodges.

I have hear rumors that Dodge is working on a 8 speed auto for the trucks. That will be interesting.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

Slightly off topic, but looking at your ratios, I can't understand why they have been making reverse such a high ratio now days. I guess it's another push to sell automatics. American manufacturers have really done a poor job with manual transmissions in the last 20+ years.

Yea, I wish the reverse was lower also. Something equal to the first gear or so. I like pulling stumps and stuck vehicles out in reverse and my Titan is my tool of choice behind the tractor since it has front and rear Detroit Lockers in Dana Axles but its a little too fast for my liking. Using 4 low really helps being its another 2.6 to 1 reduction.

The old days it seemed like the way to pull was in reverse with the low gearing but now days its mechanically better to do so in forward.

I would say they are doing a awesome job with the transmissions as a whole. They seem much smoother, better built, ect. I have only had 1 tranny that gave me issues in well over 20 vehicles I have owned in that 20 year stretch.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

I've also heard about the Mopar 8 speed. No real interest in it as I think that's getting a little ridiculous. It probably will have multiple overdrives which I think is silly.

Chrysler Announces Shift to ZF 8HP Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission - PickupTrucks.com News
Not only will it be another great Dodge transmission, but with the capability of handling over 500 lb.ft of torque it will match up perfectly with the small V8 Cummins diesel that will go into the RAM 1500.
300hp/500lb.ft. diesel, 10k lb tow capacity, 25-30 mpg highway, full-size RAM 1500. That is what you'll see for 2013 or 2014, guaranteed! :thumbsup:
They can keep that little turbo V6, I'll take a small diesel.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Boy, you had me scare when you said Chrysler was designing and making it. Great transmissions is quite a stretch. Glad to see its developed by ZF..

This plant is just up the road from me, less than 30 miles.

I sure do hope it does make it to market along with a diesel in a 1/2 ton but 10,000# tow rating is not going to cut it in 2014. At the current rate everyone else will be a 13,000# in the 1/2 tons by that point. Just look what has happened since you got your truck and the current line up. Things have went from 8,000# to 11,300# in under 8 years.

Chris

 

[deerefan]

Boy, you had me scare when you said Chrysler was designing and making it. Great transmissions is quite a stretch. Glad to see its developed by ZF..

This plant is just up the road from me, less than 30 miles.

I sure do hope it does make it to market along with a diesel in a 1/2 ton but 10,000# tow rating is not going to cut it in 2014. At the current rate everyone else will be a 13,000# in the 1/2 tons by that point. Just look what has happened since you got your truck and the current line up. Things have went from 8,000# to 11,300# in under 8 years.

Chris

Chris I hear what you are saying, but don't you think its getting a little too high for a 1/2 ton? With these numbers, why buy a 3/4 ton?

 

[Diamondpilot]

Chris I hear what you are saying, but don't you think its getting a little too high for a 1/2 ton? With these numbers, why buy a 3/4 ton?

In my opinion there has been no need for a 3/4 ton gas truck for the last 5 years or so. I have had 2 3/4 tons and they were both big mistakes. I tell everyone I know not to bother, just get a 1 ton SRW. Runs about $500 more.

Just last weekend me and my neighbor went to the local Ford dealer to look at trading in his Dmax. They had zero 3/4 tons on the lot, just 1 ton SRW's and Duallys. They are getting smart doing the ordering....

Chris

 

[deerefan]

In my opinion there has been no need for a 3/4 ton gas truck for the last 5 years or so. I have had 2 3/4 tons and they were both big mistakes. I tell everyone I know not to bother, just get a 1 ton SRW. Runs about $500 more.

Just last weekend me and my neighbor went to the local Ford dealer to look at trading in his Dmax. They had zero 3/4 tons on the lot, just 1 ton SRW's and Duallys. They are getting smart doing the ordering....

Chris

Exactly. I had a 06 F250 w/ the 6.0 diesel. The heaviest thing on my farm is my 1968 4020 JD at around 10k lbs but I have no trailer to put it on. The next is my 05 5103 JD w/ rear tires filled weighs just over 5k. We then have a 3 horse hitch pull aluminum horse trailer empty at 3200lbs. Add 3 horses and we are about 6k lbs. We sat down, put pen to paper, and realized we could cut our note by 100 bucks by going with a half ton and cut out fuel costs in 1/3. I traded the ford and got the best deal on a 2011 silverado Z71, 5.3 w/ 3.42 gears, 9500lb towing capacity. It will handle my small tractor and horse trailer fine. We loved the F250, 0 problems, we are just practical (read tight!) people and couldn't justify the expense of the 3/4 ton. We only tow maybe 3-4 times a year.