why 20" tires
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
3.73 is completely unnecessary! My 2006 6.0 had 3.73 with the 20" package and it was a dog when towing heavy. I always felt like it would have been better with 4.10s. Fast forward to the 2011 with the same size tires and 3.55 gears with an even higher overdrive gear than the 2006 and it tows the same loads in 6th that the 6.0 wouldn't come close to towing in 5th gear. The extra torque of this motor more than makes up for the gearing.
I can yank a nearly 16,000 lb toy hauler over just about any mountain at speeds greater than 60 mph. The only thing a 3.73 rear would do for you is increase your fuel consumption 90% of the time.
On the issue of tires, I won't argue that tires of high aspect ratio can't be built for these trucks. The issue is that they are not. I'm sure much of the reasoning for not using that technology for pickup tires is that they would ride like a tank. Have you ever ridden in a dually pickup with 22.5s? It really isn't fair to compare commercial truck tires to those used on passenger vehicles and pickups.
I can yank a nearly 16,000 lb toy hauler over just about any mountain at speeds greater than 60 mph. The only thing a 3.73 rear would do for you is increase your fuel consumption 90% of the time.
On the issue of tires, I won't argue that tires of high aspect ratio can't be built for these trucks. The issue is that they are not. I'm sure much of the reasoning for not using that technology for pickup tires is that they would ride like a tank. Have you ever ridden in a dually pickup with 22.5s? It really isn't fair to compare commercial truck tires to those used on passenger vehicles and pickups.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
3.73 is completely unnecessary! My 2006 6.0 had 3.73 with the 20" package and it was a dog when towing heavy. I always felt like it would have been better with 4.10s. Fast forward to the 2011 with the same size tires and 3.55 gears with an even higher overdrive gear than the 2006 and it tows the same loads in 6th that the 6.0 wouldn't come close to towing in 5th gear. The extra torque of this motor more than makes up for the gearing.
I can yank a nearly 16,000 lb toy hauler over just about any mountain at speeds greater than 60 mph. The only thing a 3.73 rear would do for you is increase your fuel consumption 90% of the time.
On the issue of tires, I won't argue that tires of high aspect ratio can't be built for these trucks. The issue is that they are not. I'm sure much of the reasoning for not using that technology for pickup tires is that they would ride like a tank. Have you ever ridden in a dually pickup with 22.5s? It really isn't fair to compare commercial truck tires to those used on passenger vehicles and pickups.
I can yank a nearly 16,000 lb toy hauler over just about any mountain at speeds greater than 60 mph. The only thing a 3.73 rear would do for you is increase your fuel consumption 90% of the time.
On the issue of tires, I won't argue that tires of high aspect ratio can't be built for these trucks. The issue is that they are not. I'm sure much of the reasoning for not using that technology for pickup tires is that they would ride like a tank. Have you ever ridden in a dually pickup with 22.5s? It really isn't fair to compare commercial truck tires to those used on passenger vehicles and pickups.
HDSLIDER - Even Job #1, 2011's the 20" had to have 3.55? For some reason I remember differently.
I've been in trucks with 19.5 and 22.5... It was all the rage to take a 250 or 350 and put those on so you can pretend to be one of the "big boys". Yeah it was rougher, but those tires last forever unless you are running WAY overweight. And of course your legal speed based on the tire is a lot lower too. (Typically - I am sure someone will pull a 90mph 22.5" tire advertisement) I agree that those tires are not for me..
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Remember, not that long ago you couldn't get 3.73 in a dually and now it is the standard. The gear ratios are creeping down in all the trucks as transmission designs have improved and the number of gears has increased. Don't be surprised to see 3.55 as the dually standard in the near future. Some manufacturers already have 7 speed autos and one of the big three is already capable of going to 9 speeds without any major change to the case of the transmission. Much of what allows for these higher ratio differentials is the low first gear in the transmission. My 3.55 truck with the 6R140 trans takes off way better than my 3.73 did with the 5R110 trans.
To each his own. If you really feel the need for a 3.73 SRW, you always have the option of changing the gears to accommodate that wish.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
Exactly. Not only is the DRW rated to tow more, but drivetrain loss with dual wheels is much greater as well. It is assumed that a DRW truck is not going to be a grocery getter nearly as much as it will be used to heavy work so fuel economy is sacrificed for maximum towing capacity.
Remember, not that long ago you couldn't get 3.73 in a dually and now it is the standard. The gear ratios are creeping down in all the trucks as transmission designs have improved and the number of gears has increased. Don't be surprised to see 3.55 as the dually standard in the near future. Some manufacturers already have 7 speed autos and one of the big three is already capable of going to 9 speeds without any major change to the case of the transmission. Much of what allows for these higher ratio differentials is the low first gear in the transmission. My 3.55 truck with the 6R140 trans takes off way better than my 3.73 did with the 5R110 trans.
To each his own. If you really feel the need for a 3.73 SRW, you always have the option of changing the gears to accommodate that wish.
Remember, not that long ago you couldn't get 3.73 in a dually and now it is the standard. The gear ratios are creeping down in all the trucks as transmission designs have improved and the number of gears has increased. Don't be surprised to see 3.55 as the dually standard in the near future. Some manufacturers already have 7 speed autos and one of the big three is already capable of going to 9 speeds without any major change to the case of the transmission. Much of what allows for these higher ratio differentials is the low first gear in the transmission. My 3.55 truck with the 6R140 trans takes off way better than my 3.73 did with the 5R110 trans.
To each his own. If you really feel the need for a 3.73 SRW, you always have the option of changing the gears to accommodate that wish.
I thought Fiat is putting 8-speeds in the rams? Maybe that was just a misplaced rumor I heard. And yes, I like the 6-speed much better than the 5 speeds at highway speeds and I see your point. I guess I old school and it is going to take a while to get that 3.73 is best for me out of my head...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 6
From: Whitecourt AB, Canada
I agree they are separate, maybe my post was a little confusing. I should have left the I don't like FX4 either comment out.
To be honest, I have never seen a FX4 package without 20" wheels, probably because of how the dealers I have gone to order trucks. One of the reasons I have trouble finding what I want. I do not LIKE the way the truck rides/drives with them, which also makes it tougher to swallow the extra cost of those options. Extra flash doesn't do it for me either so I don't like the KR or Platinum. (I also want a third seat up front so I can seat six, which most people don't and you can't get in KR trim, not sure about Platinum)
I do like Lariat trim and the built-in Navigation and back-up camera. I don't like sunroofs either. I also like the camper package, spray in bed liner and factory 5th wheel prep. Even though my current financial situation has made it so I can't get a 5th wheel TH yet... My next truck will have these options and I will order it and wait. First, I save $ by NOT getting options I don't want and I get what I want. Ohh and I drive to the cold, so I like some of the cold weather add-ons that Florida dealers don't order, like a block heater. I also think my next truck will have the supplemental heater in it.
I am not knocking those that like 20", FX4, Platinum, etc... It is, afterall, why that option is there. And you may not my options either. I do wish that 3.73" were an option for SRW 350's though.
To be honest, I have never seen a FX4 package without 20" wheels, probably because of how the dealers I have gone to order trucks. One of the reasons I have trouble finding what I want. I do not LIKE the way the truck rides/drives with them, which also makes it tougher to swallow the extra cost of those options. Extra flash doesn't do it for me either so I don't like the KR or Platinum. (I also want a third seat up front so I can seat six, which most people don't and you can't get in KR trim, not sure about Platinum)
I do like Lariat trim and the built-in Navigation and back-up camera. I don't like sunroofs either. I also like the camper package, spray in bed liner and factory 5th wheel prep. Even though my current financial situation has made it so I can't get a 5th wheel TH yet... My next truck will have these options and I will order it and wait. First, I save $ by NOT getting options I don't want and I get what I want. Ohh and I drive to the cold, so I like some of the cold weather add-ons that Florida dealers don't order, like a block heater. I also think my next truck will have the supplemental heater in it.
I am not knocking those that like 20", FX4, Platinum, etc... It is, afterall, why that option is there. And you may not my options either. I do wish that 3.73" were an option for SRW 350's though.
I wanted an XL but the XLT was actually cheaper. I'll take the practical features though, such as the electric cab heater and vinyl floors.
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