Which is the Better Tow Truck?

[Dmace]

Congrats on the truck!
New?
I really like the looks of the GM trucks and with the 6 speed you should have lower overall gearing in low gears 1st-4th where it matters while towing even with a taller rear end.

 

[Dmace]

So what are you implying?

He asked if a 6 speed with a taller rear end (3.42) would tow as well as a 4 speed with a shorter (3.73). The answer is yes and it should technically tow BETTER since every gear will have a lower overall gear ratio until 6th which is the highway fuel saver gear. The 2010 F150 6 speed is almost identical nummerically but offered 3.15, 3.31, 3.55, and 3.73 axles.

Here's the numbers...

 

[bosshoss]

I posted this a few months ago:


Since GM went to a 6-speed trans. they have 3.08 and 3.42 instead of 3.73 and 4.10. Here is a chart I posted a few months ago. Don't let the low numbers
(3.08 and 3.42) fool you.


Trans ratio gearing--4 speed----------6 speed
1st gear--------------3.06--------------4.03
2nd gear-------------1.63--------------2.36
3rd gear--------------1.00--------------1.53
4th gear---------------.70---------------1.15
5th gear-----------------------------------.85
6th gear-----------------------------------.67

Overall gear ratio - trans X rear=overall ratio

-------------------- 4 speed w/3.73-----------6 speed w/ 3.08
1st gear-----------------11.4-----------------------12.4
2nd gear-----------------6.1-------------------------7.26
3rd gear------------------3.7-------------------------4.7
4th gear------------------2.6-------------------------3.5
5th gear-----------------------------------------------2.6
6th gear-----------------------------------------------2.0


I guess it depends on what all you want to do with the truck but it looks like 6 speed with
3.08 would be better than 4 speed with 3.73 for towing.

 

[Dmace]

Personally, I wouldn't buy anything with a 16" or 17" tire that runs less than a 3.73 axle no matter how many speeds they offer in a transmission.

Ok, so if you were looking for a used truck with the older 4 or 5 speed tranmission, what setup would you get? The numbers obviously prove that a modern 6 speed even with a 3.08 rear end has lower overall gearing than a old 4 speed with 3.73's and that same 6 speed with a 3.42 has lower overall gearing than an older 4 speed even with 4.10's. You can't just look at the rear end gear ratio and you should care how many speeds they offer in the transmission as it makes a big difference. Wait til you see a new RAM 8 speed with a 2.80 rear end with lower gearing than an old 4 speed with 4.10's...

 

[rutwad]

Since I am not at the towing limit, pulling off is not an issue. I was thinking more about traveling at hwy. speeds. I would think even if the overall gearing was the same for the 4 and 6 speed, that the 6 speed would benefit. Seems that more gears would allow the engine RPM's to stay where they needed to be moreso than the 4 speed.

Side note, aren't the new Silverado's rated to tow more than the 4 speeds were?

 

[Dmace]

But that's OK, I'm retired. No more trailers, no more heavy loads, no more 60K+ miles per year and no more high insurance rates. I guess my old 2004 GMC V6 5 speed will have to be the grocery getter. Sorry guys, I'm out of the loop and glad of it.

You guys can have (and love) all this government mandated crap.

Now I see where your coming from, an old timer that thinks all technology is a step backwards and only because of government intervention.

I've owned plenty of 70's, 80's and 90's trucks to know they got the job done but barely and not without many headaches. Ever adjust a set of points, bring a spare set of spark plug wires or have a flooded carb on the side of the road...? I towed the same loads with a 94 diesel 1-ton with a 4 speed auto and an 03 1/2 ton gasser with a 5 speed and the difference is night and day. The diesel could barely get up the hills at speed where the newer gas truck could pass slow moving traffic with the A/C cranked. I love driving a manual but not while towing. Taking off, backing up, down shifting on hills is all a pain in the rear and anyone who says different is lying. Auto's just tow better and technology is good.

I'm not for too much regulation but I believe we would not be as far ahead today if not for some...

 

[Diamondpilot]

I am with you. No way I would go backwards to the old stuff, which I now consider my trusty 06 F350 one of but its auto is a dream to tow with.

Chris