It's in the post. But I'll repeat it. I got 6mpg. I think I can do some things to get it to 8. 33% increase.

 

Sorry. I must have missed that. Seeing as you were pulling quite a bit I'm not surprised about the gas mileage. I'll be interested to hear what you have in mind to increase it to 8mpg.

 

Don't let it happen again.


I'm going to get 3.54's. My 4 speed is a close ratio T19. Which means first gear is synchronized and it's not super low. It has the almost the exact ratios of the ZF that I would put in except for no OD.


Current RPM's at speed


55 - 2394
60 - 2611
65 - 2829
70 - 3047


With 3.54


55 - 2062
60 - 2249
65 - 2437
70 - 2624


Also the bikes need to get on the trailer and all facing forwards. The windshield on the KLR backwards was a parachute. This will also get them down and out of the wind.


Finally (And I've alread fixed this). All my trailer tires are new as of 4 years ago, except the left front. It seems I woudl chew one up every year. I did on this trip. So after some measurements I realized the axles were missaligned. So cut a spring perch off and fixed it. It couldn't have been good fro mileage to be scrubbing a tire.

 

What does putting in a 3.54 do to your torque? Do you have to swap the entire rear end to get the new gears? I know in a 9" ford rear end the gears can just be swapped fairly easy but in mine I foresee a nightmare.

 

Torque is the engine. I'm talking about the rear end gear ratio. I'm just swapping the gearset. When I do I use a master rebuild kit so I get all new seals and bearings. It's not tough. Just takes a little finesse.

 

3.55's, 3.73's and 4.10's were available factory.

3.08's and 4.56's are pretty common aftermarket gears as well.

Who makes a 3.54 gearset for the 10.25?

 

That brings up a pretty good question. Would you be able to install a heavy duty 9" ford rear end in an F350? Summit has a kit...

Currie Enterprises CE-2006 - Currie Enterprises Heavy-Duty 9 in. Ford Housing Kits - Application - SummitRacing.com

 

Why would you want to?

The 10.25" is stronger and has a cover.
One hundredth isn't really going to make a bit of difference.
It's a "tow tool" not a dragster.

 

I was thinking ease of maintenance and repairs. The 9" rear end has a bolt on tongue that makes it real easy to swap gears and replace seals.

 

I have a Dana 70 HD. Not a 10.25.

3.54 is the lowest (numerically) available. The 3.73, 4.11, 4.56 and up.

I don't need the higher gears but they go to 7.17

Please, I love a 9" but it's not for a 1 ton dually or normal 1 ton application. I have one in my jeep. Great for that application.

It's not like I'll be swapping gears regularly here. This first gearset lasted 26 years. so as far as maintenance I think I'll be fine. I'll just set them up and break them in. Then change the fluid and forget about them. And I'm certainly not going to pay for an entire new axle when all I need to do is put a gearset in. I can get all the parts for less than $500. Why spend a couple grand on a weaker axle in the event that I may it some future date swap gears.

Sorry that's just crazy talk.

But to answer your question you can put any axle in anything. Just need a welder and a tape measure. But that doesn't mean you should.

 

One more question. I've read around a little but I'm looking for a little confirmation. It is my understanding that with properly tuned carb on a 460 the temp will creep up on a long uphill climb. Mine didn't. Stayed dead nuts in the middle. Which I guess isn't a bad problem. I'm thinking of going down a jet size. What do you guys think?

 

Anybody have an answer for this?

 

What's the purpose of downsizing the jets, better fuel mileage? I would think if your conservative with it it shouldn't be a problem. It might run a little hotter because it will be leaned out a little but wouldn't think it would be a lot warmer. But that's just my opinion, there's people on here with a lot more knowledge than me.

 

I don't do a lot of long distance towing.
I have pulled an overloaded 24' race trailer to Daytona and back a few times.
Never had an issue with overheating.
But the route along the coast doesn't involve climbing any long grades.

It is what it is for mileage.
I've come to accept that over the years.

 

Better mileage, but also make sure its tuned right. I was told a carb for a 460 is that is tuned right will get a little warm on a long pull. I don't know where i just remember it in the back of my head. I'm up several sizes from stock, but i removed all my egr stuff as well.

I guess I should pull the plugs to make sure I'm not rich.